March 17, 2007, Scottsdale Grand Prix Criterium, Category Masters 50+
Scottsdale, AZ   10.8 miles

This was a 30 minute criterium on very smooth roads around a course just over a mile long. The course was unusual in that the start/finish was in a dip, so that the start climbed out and the finish was downhill, the last corner to the finish being 310 meters and a bit of a left bend during the finish. The corners were generally very wide. The weather was great, 89 degrees, sunny, but with a bit of wind from the East for a head wind finish.

Since there was going to be a race the next day as well, I didn't want to over extend myself on this day. This meant that the primary tactic would be to sit in the pack to gain as much shelter as possible until we get close to the finish. We had a good field of 18 riders and the 60+ and 70+ events would be riding with us, adding another 7 riders. Also, Norm Kibble would be in the 60+ event (probably the best sprinter in the group), so he would not be a direct competitor for placings in the 50+.

The race started off briskly, but not terribly hard. It immediately became apparent that the wind was a factor, as we had a tailwind on the backstretch and the cross-wind between turns 3 and 4 meant that everyone was in the outside gutter and not getting any advantage of a draft.

After a few laps, Don Williams did a solo attack and got about 100 meters out in front. He is a good solo time trialist and hung out there for several laps, but could not gain on us any more than that. We knew he was not going to make it to the finish like this as he kept looking over his shoulder to see how he was doing.
End of lap 2 at the Finish line. Don Williams on his solo attempt, turn 4. Don Williams starting up the hill.

I basically sat in the middle of the pack, conserving my energy, but making sure no strong riders got away. As we neared the middle of the race, Norm Kibble went off the front. He's in the 60+ event and not a strong solo rider, so that should have been a move to not be concerned about. I looked at my watch and saw that we were 19:30 into the race, so we should have 3 or 4 more laps to go the next time we cross the finish line, since it takes about 2:30 per lap. So time to start watching the lap board.

As we come across the finish line the next time, I was extremely surprised to see they had 2 to go! I was farther back than the middle of the pack, completely boxed in. This was not a good position to be in this close to the end. I didn't want to over exert on the up hill after the line, so I was going to move up after turn 1. However, right after turn 1, Bruno attacked off the front with David Bixby latching onto his wheel. I was many lengths back and hoped that the pack would surge and give my a boost to chase them down, but alas, the pack maintained their speed and watched the two escape. If I stayed in the pack, the best I could hope for was third, as Bruno and David were two of the strongest riders. I had to chase, so after turn 2 I rode off the front in the tailwind and chased between turns 3 and 4 where there is no draft advantage to being in a pack anyway. The two had caught Norm and the 3 were working together. My extra speed enabled my to join them just as we passed the finish line and of course they eased up their attack, allowing the pack to catch us by turn 1.
Norm off the front with 2 to go. I see the lap board at 2 go go. I catch them with 1 to go and they ease up.

However, I now had a major problem. When crossing the line with one to go, I looked at by computer and saw that my heart rate was at 193 bpm, way past red-line and almost at my 196 max. Very bad news as I knew that I had inadequate time to fully recover for the sprint. All I could do was play my cards as correctly as I could and hope for the best. I took Bruno's wheel, who still seemed very strong. Between turns 3 and 4, he jumped and I followed, but with no draft advantage I was struggling. We rounded the final corner; he had put about a length and a half between us and he accelerated hard coming out of the corner. I couldn't get into his draft and just gave it everything I had hoping I might close in, but instead he was pulling away. With 100 meters to go, Bruno had the win well in hand and I was still in second far behind, but I completely died and watched 5 other riders (including Norm in the 60+) whiz by me before I could get to the line, out of the money.
With 100 meters to go, in second, I run out of energy.  Bruno sitting up for his win.

So this a race that I had an excellent chance to do well in, but I was foiled by the officials. The race was only 27:00. Normally I don't mind it being short, but I was caught off guard by the unofficial change.

Summary
Start
Time		 Distance
(Miles)		 Starters Duration Weather
(Deg F, mph)		 Climbing
(Feet)		 Speed avg
(MPH)		 Speed Max
(MPH)		 HR avg
(BPM)		 HR max
(BPM)		 HR waking
(BPM)		 Calories Burned
(Kcal)
8:43 am 10.8 18 27:00 89, W@10 259 24.0 32.6 179 194 46 250

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