January 19, 2013, Not So Underground Criterium
Phoenix, AZ   30 minutes
Report from Lionel Space, Phoenix AZ

Finally the 2013 season begins. I had continued to train the same as I had over the summer all through the winter, so I was in the same shape and had wished that I had some winter racing to spend it on. Many racers will taper off over the winter and build up into the summer, but that has not worked so well for me, so I'm approaching it differently this time. So I've been itching to get some racing where I could have fun with this form.

This was a 30 minute criterium on very smooth roads around a mostly rectangular course, riding counterclockwise around the 0.8 mile distance. I raced on this course twice in 2012, so I was quite familiar with it. The course has a slight rise in the final straight that steepens a bit more to the first corner. The last two corners are fairly close to the finish, making tactics a bit trickier.

The previous week the Phoenix area had been under a cold spell, with temperatures dipping unusually into the below freezing area. The weather quickly improved and today's race was run with temperatures in the mid seventies, sunny skies, and calm winds.

The 50+ race had 27 entries, with most of the familiar big hitters in attendance. Keith Brodhagen and Mark Fosenburg, the two major threats in 2012, were there along with Brian Lemke, Corky Kurtz, Bob Pongratz, all under 55 years of age. Also David Bixby and Bill McDorman that are closer to my age, which is 59 for the 2013 season. We also had a handful of 60+ riders competing alongside us going for their own prizes.

I had a bit of concern with my health, as my sinuses started running on Thursday (I've not been sick in years). Friday my nose had swollen and I had some headaches and I was wondering if the weekend's racing would have to be cancelled. However, by Saturday morning, I was starting to recover, but during the race, I did feel dryness in my throat and I hoped it would not escalate.

After a neutral lap at about 20 mph, we were off and the attacks were rather mild. After a couple of laps, a rider got off the front and I kept near the front, primarily watching Keith as he would most likely chase down any break that looked likely to succeed. We also had numerous primes, with 2 places being awarded and worth around $50. The primes kept things lively enough that we didn't slow down too much, which could lead to a hard and successful attack. The solo rider was brought back in and the laps were fairly easy for me, never really struggling on the shallow climb.

With about 7 laps to go, a rider took off and a half lap later, another joined him. They started to get a good gap, but mostly due to the apathy of the pack and the help from teammates blocking at the front. The lap board was raised for 5 laps to go and the pack became more animated up the climb and we made up some ground. One rider shot off the front and Keith made a move with me right on his wheel, but as we neared corner 1 at the top of the hill, most everyone eased except for the one rider that eventually joined the other two leaders.

So far the race had seemed rather easy and I had ridden conservatively as well. Keith had dropped further back, so I was watching Mark, but I felt like he was not near enough to the front to do a proper sprint setup. However I kept him close at hand and started planning the final lap, which seemed that I would need to begin my sprint before the final two corners to avoid accidentally getting boxed in during the actual sprint. There seemed to be a bit of a headwind on the back stretch, so this would limit how early would be optimal.

With one lap to go, the speed dramatically picked up (the final lap averaged 30.4 mph) and I was still behind Mark. As we neared the top of the hill at turn one, we caught the three leaders and quickly left them behind. The pack was all one and luck and timing were going to be critical. I figured that if I started my jump from behind Mark, that he would have a more difficult time getting on my wheel for the finish; so I was sitting in about eighth place. Half way down the back stretch I'm eyeing the course ahead, anticipating when to start my jump, and then Brian Lemke goes flying by on the left. I quickly jump and easily get on his wheel just as we approach a lapped rider. As Brian went by him on his left, I decided to go around him on the right with just enough room between him and the curb. I met up with Brian just before the penultimate turn, but he wasn't going as quickly as I had hoped and I had to brake a little to avoid going around the corner at his side (it's usually a grave mistake to use the brakes during a sprint). We cruised down the short stretch approaching the final turn and I hoped nobody was going to squeeze in on the inside as it didn't feel like we were going fast enough. As we approached the final corner I dropped the gear into a 50x14. I expected Brian to go a bit wide and I planned on taking it tight on the inside. This allowed me to start pedaling sooner, accelerating past him half way up the final stretch and then I just had to hold it and hope nobody was going to come around me with a surprise. I kept focus on the line and gave it everything and beat Brian for the win by about a third of a wheel. Bob Pongratz picked up third, followed by Mark; Keith was sixth.

I was surprised to see that the average speed for the race was nearly 26 mph, which included the first slow lap. I had no trouble with the speed and it didn't feel that fast, so that's a good sign. A good start to the season and against some good opponents.

Summary
Start
Time		 Distance
(Miles)		 Starters Duration Weather
(Deg F, mph)		 Speed avg
(MPH)		 Speed Max
(MPH)		 HR avg
(BPM)		 HR max
(BPM)
2:17 pm 12.9 27 29:56 74, Calm 25.8 33.6 173 193

Etched Glass award:

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