April 27, 2014, Spring Grand Prix Masters 45+
Avondale AZ
Report from Lionel Space, Phoenix AZ

I had a half hour gap from the 55+ race to the start of the 45+ race, just enough time to take off my clothes and change out my racing number. The temperature picked up just a little, but I still wore full leggings and arm-warmers.
 
There were a few more entries (13) in this race than the earlier ones with several from the 55+ and 60+ race doing multiple races. Mark Fosenburg and David Genovese would be some sprint contenders and Keith Brodhagen would most likely be the strong man again for attacks. My plan would be to try to conserve to the end, but keep an eye for attacks from Keith and Mark that might make a decisive break.

The first couple of laps were very mellow, under 24 mph. Keith had dropped back a bit, so I got onto Mark's wheel, who was better positioned to watch for action. Of course this generally leads to a big potential for someone to get antsy and put in an attack. Sure enough, on lap 3 an attack goes and I stay with Mark as we hit 31.3 mph to contain it.

The pace really slowed down for the next couple of laps and then another attack took us to 30.7 mph. After a lap of recovery, a prime was announced and the speed momentarily shot up to 32.0 mph. For the next 15 minutes we had a really easy time of it and I was hoping that it would just stay that way until a sprint finish. Especially when at 20 minutes into the race I start feeling cramps coming on in my right ham strings again.

At 24:30 into the race we were crawling along at on 21 mph and 3 riders had drifted off the front with only 5 laps to go. If nobody got excited, we'd all be racing for 4th. Mark came even with me and I pointed out that there were 3 away, just in case he wasn't aware of it. Ten seconds later, Mark was attacking on the inside on the back stretch and I quickly jumped up to his wheel at 30.7 mph. Soon Mark pulled over and so did I, only to have Keith come through with a strong attack of his own. Mark latched onto Keith's wheel and I tried to close the gap to stay with Mark, but had just a bit too much to close. Keith kept the pressure on and I struggled to close the gap on Mark, knowing that this was make or break time, but was also feeling some cramping in my calves. My breathing became more labored and I soon realized that I was not going to be successful. At that point I pulled aside to let the rest of the pack through, with David Genovese being the first rider through who had been on my wheel.

As I continued to red-line, I did my best to keep the pace up in hopes that the front group of about 8 might slow down enough. I caught up to another rider as we had 15 lengths to make up, but he wasn't going fast enough, so I came through and for a time we were taking turns in the chase. However, with 2 to go, he wasn't going fast enough so I gave all I could to make it up to the front group and with about 1 lap to go was almost there, but ran out of steam. The other rider I was with just barely made contact with the group and was able to pass one other rider, but I came in solo for a very low place.

David Genovese won the pack sprint with a good jump from 200+ meters out, with Keith closing down on him, but not able to pass him, taking second.

It would seem that I was a bit too exhausted to pull off 4 races this weekend with total success. I'm really looking forward to getting my Crit bike back too.
Summary
Start
Time		 Distance
(Miles)		 Starters Duration Weather
(Deg F, mph)		 Speed avg
(MPH)		 Speed Max
(MPH)
8:22 am 12.3 13 30:49 68, W @ 5 24.1 32.7

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