February 8, 2015, Sun Devil Criterium, Category Masters 55+
Tempe, AZ 30 minutes
Report from Lionel Space, Phoenix AZ
This was a flat, 30 minute criterium on very smooth roads.
The course was a clockwise 0.6 mile, somewhat triangular shaped course with 3 ninety degree turns, the last one 130 meters from the finish.
The first corner was a little bumpy from gutters and required off loading weight from the saddle to safely navigate.
The second corner had a tight exit, precluding taking it at full speed.
The last corner opened up wide and could be pedaled through.
The weather was just a little cool in clear and calm conditions, so I wore leg warmers and full length sleeves with two layers on the torso.
We would be riding the race on the course as the 65+ race which would start about 15 seconds after us and we were instructed that the groups were not to mix.
Our group would start with 10 riders, where David Bixby of Team RPM would be the main competitor to watch.
Since this was a course we had not used previously, I wanted to make sure we got off to a safe start,
so I took the lead for the first lap at a moderate pace.
David Bixby then took a turn and we traded off for a while.
In fact, nobody for a long time would take a turn at the front except the two of us.
Eventually my team mate Wayne Lewis came through a few times to break up the boredom.
At 11 minutes into the race we got the bell for our only prime.
I sat on Bixby's wheel until the last corner and then came up the inside to easily take it (a $50 helmet).
Bixby did a few mild attacks where I would sit on his wheel and some of them created a gap behind us,
but the pack would always rise to the occasion and keep the break in check.
He is fairly strong, but not very quick, so he could never escape me.
We had lapped the 65+ pack a couple of times and there were a few solo stragglers on the course as well.
As we came up to 2 to go, a rider went flying off from behind.
I immediately gave chase and everyone started yelling that he was with the 65+ race.
I eased off before turn 1 and double checked with the other riders, as I didn't want to give the race away and
I had not been able to monitor any of the other riders in our group since they all had just sat behind us.
Dave Rackoski came to the lead, with Bixby taking second position and I slipped behind him.
Rackoski crept up onto the 65+ rider and I was yelling that we weren't allowed to mix as we came down the back stretch towards the last turn.
He stayed on the wheel though and we then got the one lap to go bell.
Rackoski passed the 65+ rider just before turn 1 with Bixby trying to stay with him.
As we approached the little chicane, Bixby was losing ground and I couldn't afford to let Rackoski just ride away for the win.
So as we exited the chicane, I passed Bixby and started to close down on Rackoski.
He still had a bit of a gap as we hit the tight turn 2, but by mid-way down the back stretch I had closed it down.
I sat on his wheel for a second deciding on whether to wait until after the final turn to begin my sprint, or take the last corner in the lead.
As I was not sure what was happening behind me and didn't want someone else getting into the mix and possibly boxing me out in the final turn.
I passed Rackoski on the outside before the final turn and kicked it down the outside of the home stretch, taking the win by several lengths.
Rackoski finished second with Bixby unable to pass him.
We averaged 29 mph on the last lap.
Summary
Start
Time |
Distance
(Miles) |
Starters |
Duration |
Weather
(Deg F, mph) |
Speed avg
(MPH) |
Speed Max
(MPH) |
| 9:05 am |
12.1 |
10 |
30:20 |
65, Calm |
23.9 |
34.5 |
Movie of final sprint (courtesy of Steve Duffy):
Results
Racing page Bike page