March 22, 2014, Faster Crit race 55+
Scottsdale, AZ   30 minutes
Report from Lionel Space, Phoenix AZ
Many thanks to Noel Space for the photography.
(Images can be clicked on for a larger version)

This course is only 0.66 miles around and has the unusual feature of a 180 turn at the bottom of a decline. The participation was low in all the events, most likely due to riders fearing the safety of this turn. Fortunately in my races, everyone used common sense, slowed adequately prior to the turn, and only occasionally scraped a pedal when coming out of the turn. Immediately after the turn, the course rises 20 feet, which doesn't sound like much, but is enough of an incline to make one work if the pace is forced.

The weather was gorgeous, in the mid 80's, and a mild tail wind down the finishing stretch. With our low humidity, this is a very comfortable temperature and spectators sitting in the shade of the trees enjoyed the warmth. Most of the course could be seen from the finish line, so a good spectator course too.

My usual top competition was not in attendance, so the race was mine to lose. Greg Barrett would be the next best sprinter that I was aware of. There were 3 that registered on the day of the race and I was not familiar with some of their names, so I was not sure of their abilities.

I was hoping that this race would not be too aggressive, as I had already raced in the morning and I had planned to do 2 races the next day. So I was fortunate that the laps only averaged 22 to 23 mph. Most of this was due to Howard Roose from Boise ID taking the lead and he was content to set a steady pace, just fast enough to discourage constant attacks. I would sit on his wheel, getting a comfortable ride and would immediately latch on to anyone else that decided to try an escape. So most of the race was pretty easy for me, a perfect setup.

 
Start of the race.
 
 
Howard leading through turn 1.
 
 
Taking the 180.
 
 
Exiting the 180.
 
 
Early Howard push on climb.
 
 
Typical paceline.
 
We had two primes (sprints for special prizes) in our race. We were told that one would be a $20 Starbucks gift certificate and the other a $250 certificate for a restaurant called Capital Grill. After 4 laps, we were given a bell for a prime and the official was yelling prime lap, but he didn't specify which of the prizes was on offer. I was on Howard's wheel, who continued to lead the lap. As we went down the back stretch between turns 3 and 4, he picked up the pace enough such that the formation did not change. There's no opportunity for anyone to pass between turns 4 and 5, so he led through the final turn and I easily passed him for the prime, pretty much uncontested, only hitting 28.9 mph.

 
1st Prime: Coming inside Howard.
 
 
Checking for challengers.
 
 
Challengers defaulting.
 
 
Prime secured.
 
At 11 laps into the race, the second prime was announced, this time specifying it was for Starbucks. Hmm, guess I already got the good one. Half way through the lap I was still sitting in second place on Howard's wheel and was wondering if this one was going to be just as easy. We came around the final turn and I came on the inside of Howard to head toward's the line and half way there I noticed Greg Barrett quickly coming by on the outside. I quickly got out of the saddle to pick up the speed, hitting 32.6 mph and barely hung on to the lead to take that prime as well. However, this was also the 4 lap to go point and I was a bit concerned that I put out too much energy so close to the end of the race.

Greg stayed in the lead around the 180 turn and then one of the newly registered riders took the lead. I was quick to swap onto his wheel and he quickly reduced his speed. At the top of the hill at turn 3, Howard took the lead again and I moved behind him. We maintained an easy pace of only about 22.5 mph for the next two laps and I was able to easily recover.

On the penultimate lap, the pace slowed even more. On the back stretch with one and a half laps to go, Howard eased up and the pack swarmed around us and we went through turn 3 three riders wide. This would have a big influence on how I would handle the final lap as I did not want to be tightly surrounded at sprint speed heading for that turn next time around.

 
Howard setting the pace, Greg 3rd.
 
 
Taking turn 5.
 
 
2 laps to go.
 
 
1 lap to go. Joe attacking (white helmet).
 
With one lap to go and I was still in second sitting on Howard and as we crossed the line, Joe Cunningham took a flyer off the front. I quickly latched onto his wheel as we entered turn 1 and stayed with him during the climb. Then I launched my plan, where I took off 40 meters before turn 3 so that I could take the turn with the proper line and at full speed. I powered it down the back stretch gaining several more lengths and by the time I hit turn 5, I had about 10 lengths on the chasers, led by Joe, and I easily take the win. Jim Pongratz (Core Cycling Team, black and blue jersey) was able to come around Joe on the outside for second and Greg (Blue jersey) found enough speed to also get by Joe to take third.

 
First around the last corner. Checking progress.
 
 
Next 3 places hitting the finishing stretch.
 
 
One last check.
 
 
Preparing to salute.
 
 
Crossing the finish line.
 
 
Podium.
 
Although I was pretty sore later in the day, I was happy to have taken everything available in this race and also add more points to the season long Copper Cup contest.
Summary
Start
Time		 Distance
(Miles)		 Starters Duration Weather
(Deg F, mph)		 Speed avg
(MPH)		 Speed Max
(MPH)
2:48 pm 10.6 10 28:23 86, WNW@4 22.4 32.6

Results

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