February 7, 2016, Sun Devil Criterium, Category Masters 45+
Tempe, AZ 45 minutes
Report from Lionel Space, Phoenix AZ
This was my second race of the day, having a couple hours to recover from the 55+ race.
It was a 45 minute criterium on the 0.6 mile course, but the younger riders would make a high placing unlikely.
I was hoping to maybe take a prime and finish the race.
Our 16 45+ racers would be mixed with 4 35+ racers.
At the gun I did not get a good lock into my pedals and was mid-pack by the first corner.
Right from the gun, a rider had taken off the front and was making good speed.
The pace was pretty intense, usually hitting 27 mph on the back stretch and over 30 on the front.
A lap later another rider took off in pursuit of the solo escapee and the following lap a 3rd also escaped.
These 3 eventually joined forces and stayed away, but the pack was always determined to give chase
After 6 laps I was really struggling, quickly looked back and saw only 2 riders behind me, Brodhagen and Baratto (5th and 1st from our 55+ race).
Half a lap later, Cullinan (2nd in our 55+ race), pulled over and called it quits.
I was struggling to hold the wheel in front of me and Brodhagen and Baratto went ahead.
I did my best to hang on, but a couple laps later I couldn't sit on their wheel and called it quits myself.
A few laps later Brodhagen and Baratto fell off the back of the pack and Baratto also pulled off the course.
Bixby (7th in our 55+ race) was the next to detach, but those falling off the back continued to press on to finish their 30 minutes.
So I seem to be lacking some of the steam I had last year and I may need to adjust my tactics for the rest of the season.
Summary
Start
Time |
Distance
(Miles) |
Starters |
Duration |
Weather
(Deg F, mph) |
Speed avg
(MPH) |
Speed Max
(MPH) |
| 11:08 am |
4.9 |
16 |
11:18 |
73, NE@6 |
25.9 |
30.7 |
Results
Racing page Bike page