#273: S&N / M&B Gran Prix – Criterium
Today was a new day and although we didn’t come away with a “W”, we performed well as a team during the Cat 3 criterium in our own backyard. We lined up with six again, but this time we were resolved to make and execute a plan. Did we follow it exactly? Well no, but it is a rare thing indeed to get that done, especially in a flat competitive criterium.
The race started out fast and I was having to work pretty hard to move up but, after a few laps, I was able to work towards the front. Mostly my plan was to cover attacks and no let anything get up the road without us in it (or at least not very far). I ended up in one that lasted a few laps before the halfway point, starting at 2-riders and growing to 4. After that was pulled back, the attacks resumed and I recovered for a minute and resumed my role.
In all of those attacks, Aaron ended up getting into a small group that ended up 4-strong with 3 different teams represented (+1 unattached). This was enough to make sure it succeeded and I alternatively spent time near the front setting a tempo, covering attacks, and resting.
the break
One of the times I was further back in the pack, I ended up getting tangled up with Zach (TCRC) when he had to suddenly move over due to something occurring in front of him. My spokes played a tune on his bike (skewer?) and gave him a tire burn on his calf. The only permanent damage sustained was 1-broken spoke on my front wheel. High-tension radially spoked wheels don’t stay true enough to ride and so I had to pit for a wheel. With no free laps (under 8-to-go), it meant just riding the course until the break and then the field went by. By then, there was only 3-to-go and I just sat on back out of the way until the sprint ramp up and just rode it in well away from the field to not mess up the scoring.
finishing it up…with a softening rear tire to boot.
Net result was Aaron got 3rd, and David finished the best of the rest with a sprint for 5th.
field sprint…. David the freight train
The funny thing is on the last corner of the last lap, my rear tire felt soft… by the time I got to turn 1 after the finish, it was noticeably flatter. So I have two different repairs to do…#1, front wheel broken spoke, #2, change a rear flat tire.
1 broken spoke = end of my race.
Photo galleries for Juniors, M50+, Women, M30+, and Cat 3 are up.
Oxford is next (Plein Air Classic). Probably going to double double (Cat 3/4 and Cat 1/2/3 both days). Then I probably won’t race again until mid-August. A break (from racing) will be nice and I will be really ready to go again by then.
