It turned out to be one of those days that went well for everyone, check out the full report here.
Cycling is a funny thing, so many times I've done relatively well when I didn't expect to, and totally biffed any good results in races or courses I thought I had a decent shot at. Last summer was a perfect example. I don't know if high expectations are bad thing for good race results, or, on the contrary, having no expectations frees one to just race. Probably both.
Either way, I've had very little actual expectations coming into these collegiate A races, knowing they're a fair bit higher level then the Cat 4 races I was doing through last year. My goals are not to place well, but rather try and become a better bike racer. With this thinking, I'd rather be racing at the highest level that I can qualify for.
So far it's been some of the hardest racing I've ever done, more fun, and a better experience.
Anyway, I watched Molly, Brandon, and Eric race well, got myself good and caffeinated (coffee, coffee, coffee!), and staged myself for the A race. The forecast called for a chance of rain, and we got a few drops here and their, but fortunately it stayed clear.
Based on the course profile, I had expected the climb to be tougher, but like everyone who had raced already was saying, it really wasn't a very steep or long climb. How hard it is, however, is very relative to how fast you go up the climb, and I definitely hit it a couple of times just about pinned. It wasn't enough to break up the field, but 8 laps takes it's toll in repetition.
As expected, some of the best and strongest got away in a break that mortals like myself could do nothing about. Unfortunately, some of the regular names like Adam Bry, Wyatt Stoup, and others DNF'd. It looks like Adam and another guy tangled on the climb, and maybe some MIT teammates waited to try and pace him back to the group. Good teammates, but either they didn't make it, or didn't attempt it.
I spent basically the first 7 laps just sitting at the back, trying to ride efficiently. The climb really stretched things out, and the descent highlighted my poor descending skills. The back of the field was probably a good place for me to be.
On the final lap, as we were mostly still together, I expected things to get very aggressive setting up the final sprint. I moved up to the top 7 spots on the climb, a Pitt rider attacked and looked strong, so I made a few rotations to help bring him back. Cresting the final series of inclines, I was still near the front of the field, however, by the time I got to the bottom of the descent, I was at the very back once again.
At this point, I felt like I was out of contention, the faster guys were now at the front again. I rolled down the flat, straight section of the course, just sitting at the back of the pack. Some West Point guys tried to attack, but nothing was going anywhere. The paced started to ramp up before the final turn, and the struggle for positioning began.
There is a gentle "S" turn after the last corner, before the finishing straight where we get full use of both lanes. Swinging through there, the field fanned out, spreading it's proverbial wings as everyone tried to move up on the outside. As holes appeared, I just played the patient opportunist and slid forward, filling gaps.
It was like the seas parted, and the red carpet rolled out. When the West Point guys in front opened up, I had a clear open line down the very center and followed their wheels out the front of the congestion. I got a little too ambitious when I tried to come around one too early, hit a lot of wind, and couldn't move up further, but managed to hold onto 5th for the field sprint, 9th overall.
I really wish I had kept the video camera on for that race, it was certainly a sprint worth watching. Anyway, I'm definitely happy with that result. Race Predictor had me at 32nd.
Next up, PSU, I absolutely love that course.
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