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Stage 3 of the West Feliciana Classic was another road race on the same roads as Stage 2, but run in the opposite direction. The way it played out and felt made this more of a change than I would have guessed.

Just as in stage 2, two riders were off the front early in the 1st lap and picked up the two hot spot at the KOM hill. Not too long after the KOM, we picked them up and then the attacking ensued. Since the race was longer (80 miles) and I used up all my long range FTP+ motor on Saturday, I was glad to see that race generally rode pretty easy for most of the miles due to dangling breaks and teams trying to keep their man up in the G.C. Since I was the lone Memphis Velo’er, this worked out well.

Just as was the case the day before, there was some wild surges that occurred whenever someone jumped out of the field. Mostly I covered, I only got in one surge that turned into a mini-break of about 3 minutes of duration. After several attacks where sent and recovered, Frank Moak (3rd G.C., Herring Gas) jumped and Matt Davis (the G.C. leader, La’sport) followed… Given that their positions were earned in the Stage 1 TT, they quickly built a gap. Since this put the 2nd man in jeopardy, Precision Bikes was forced to give chase. This meant some more free riding for the rest. When they were brought back, the attacks resumed… after several more miles, Frank and Matt got clear again. And the field let them off.

Matt and Frank for 1st and 2nd (photos by Andrea Wilson)

So we rode the last 15 miles for 3rd with no one willing or able to bring them back. As the miles remaining dwindled, the attacks become more frequent and serious with Herring in about all of them. As we got down to the last 2 miles, the pace slowed a bit and there was one Herring off, so I jumped. I closed the gap to him and we worked together, but were caught at the 200m flag. Pack finish. I think I ended up a few places up due to several no shows for the Sunday stage, but I basically got my money back (payout about equal to entry).

Sprint for 4th (3rd was just out of frame, young Jr rider in the middle was finishing up his race, not placing in the 1/2/3′s.). (photo by Andrea Wilson)

Finishing up a tough weekend at the back of the field after being caught at 200 to go. (photo by Andrea Wilson)

My major goals for the weekend were met. I didn’t lay up to hold my TT G.C. position – in the process I lost a few spots, but what is the difference between 15th and 17th? ($5 dollars?)

I didn’t lose focus or tactical awareness, I always knew who was up the road and got up the road myself several times. Last weekend at Rocky Mount, I failed to notice the winning break(s) leave the group. Just sloppy.

On the positive, Andrea finished her sweep of the women’s race by winning the road race again by soloing away.