February 16, 2014, McDowell Park CR, Category Masters 60+
NE of Phoenix, AZ   16.0 miles
Report from Lionel Space, Phoenix AZ
Many thanks to Noel Space for the photography.
(Images can be clicked on for a larger version)

This was a circuit race NE of Phoenix on a 1.6 mile course in a park. I've usually done well on this course and have won twice previously. This year they ran the course clockwise again. The weather was very nice, in the upper 60s, with calm winds.

There were 10 riders in the 60+ at the start of the race, plus a few 70+ riders that would be with us. We were to start about half a minute behind the 50+ race. As the 50s took off, I asked Larry, one of the organizers, what primes were in our race. Since there was no prize awards for our race, primes were the only thing worth winning. He said be patient, they'll tell as at the line. At the line, the first thing the official told us was that we would be racing 40 minutes. There was a chorus of "30 minutes" as that was what was on the flyer and registration. He said "No, it will be 40 minutes. You don't want me trying to time you at 30 minutes". Then he said "Ready, Go!". As I passed Larry, I said that I didn't hear anything about the primes.

The race started off briskly, but with no real attacks. Several riders seemed willing to take long, hard pulls at the front and I'd usually be in 2nd or 3rd position so that a team-mate wouldn't just let them ride away while they blocked the field. As we completed one lap, we got the bell for the first prime, but no mention as to it's content or value. I kept the riders in check as we went around the course and we entered the finishing stretch as a group. With about 180m to go I gave a short kick and gained about 4 lengths on the pack, watched them over my shoulder, and easily took the first prime with little extra effort.

I continued monitoring the front and there were no flyers attempted from behind. On the next lap we got another bell for a prime and I followed my previous successful recipe. I jumped out in front of the pack with about 200 meters to go, and easily distanced them. I watched them over my left shoulder and David took the opportunity to come up my blind side as I coasted to the line. Thinking he was going to attack me after the prime, I forgot to pay attention to where the line was and as I got on his wheel I realized that I let him get in front of me before the prime was won and David got the win. Dang it, that was stupid. David didn't continue the effort for long and we regrouped.
Prime 1. Coasting in to Prime 2. Prime 2.

The race continued in this fashion and I took the next two primes, being more careful to not give away the wins.
Prime 3. Prime 4.

Eventually we came down to the final lap and one of David's team-mates took the lead down the back stretch. Even though I had a vastly superior sprint to any of the 5 other racers remaining in our finishing group, I still had concerns. In 2009 Bixby had let a rider slip away in the final meters as I was on his wheel, so I didn't want to get behind him as he let a team-mate charge out for a win. Last year a rider took off just before the final turn and I hesitated too long, letting him get too big a gap to close and leading out the other top sprinters as I attempted to do so. So I was not as calm and collected as I should have been, letting myself get too wrapped up in the negative possibilities.

So as we approached the last corner which is 400 meters from the line, I was in second position on David's team-mate with Bixby slightly behind me and on my left. Just before the turn, another rider made a jump on the left side and I feared getting boxed in and found room on the right to jump and easily be first to the corner. However, I was going so fast that I had to brake severely to not go flying off the road and this allowed everyone to bunch up behind me. Then my mind went blank. Instead of assessing the situation, I just started putting the pedal to the metal in the big gear I was already in. Starting from such a slow speed and accelerating slowly in the big gear was the perfect opportunity for everyone else to ride the train behind me as I gave them a perfect leadout. David was right on my wheel and had no problem passing me with about 40 meters to go and fortunately I was able to hold off everyone else for second. A pretty stupid finish and a lost opportunity for an easy win. And unfortunately I added legitimacy to the phrase "I Spaced out".

Finish of the race. Podium.

However David felt pretty good as he hadn't beaten me in a sprint (where I didn't cramp) since 2006. And his team was putting on the race, so it's always good to win your home race.

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