March 26, 2016, Marana Heritage Criterium, 50/55/60+
Marana, AZ 30 minutes
Report from Lionel Space, Phoenix AZ
(Some mages can be clicked on for a larger version)
(Thanks to Tolero Racing's David French for the action images )
This was a new "1st Annual" race on the Arizona calendar, North of Tucson.
It is a flat course, just under 2 km, with 2 turns and a series of bends just before a straightaway of just over 400 meters.
The weather was sunny, in the 70s, and a bit of a tailwind down the finishing stretch.
We had a good compliment of 17 riders at the start.
Normally I would have had the confidence that I should be able to win the event, but I had been ill the last 3 weeks and was unsure of the impact.
While warming up with the 2 laps we had on the course prior to the start, I felt I was struggling to just go at the easy pace of the others.
I was burping up the drink I had consumed 2 hours ago, so even my organs were not cooperating.
I was concerned about the ability of my lungs, but mostly just overall energy.
There seemed a good chance that I might not even finish the race.
Right from the start, a rider took off and David Bixby zoomed up to join him.
I really didn't want to put out huge amounts of effort, but I certainly didn't want to lose the race in the first 20 seconds, so I chased them down and the three of us were together going down the back stretch.
They eased up into the headwind and the pack become one and the pace was fairly easy for the rest of the lap.
Upon crossing the line for the first time, the officials gave us a bell for a prime on the next lap.
Not sure if I'd even finish the race, it seemed prudent to gather a prime in the meantime.
I set myself up on the right side of the pack, since the wind was slightly from the left, but two riders closed down any available room on the right side and I had nowhere to go when the time was right.
The pack hit 34.0 mph on the downwind stretch for the line.
Probably just as well I didn't waste myself and I decided to basically conserve myself for the final result.
There would be an occasional attack off the front and little hustle by the pack to reel them in, but they'd usually not get very far away.
These allowed the next 2 primes to be taken.
Scott Baker of team GST eventually rode off the front and his 3 team mates would keep the pack relaxed so that he could succeed.
David Bixby of Faster RPM rushed up to join him and his 3 team mates would also keep the pack at an easy pace, ensuring the success of the breakaway.
Although I probably could have also made the junction, I'd then be expected to share in the work at the front and the 2 would work me over pretty well, making finishing a problem.
I did not want to over extend myself in my weakened condition, which might cripple my chances at the State Championships coming up in 8 days.
For several laps, the gap hovered around 15 to 20 seconds and the pack was going at a fairly easy pace.
The strongest riders were mostly on GST or Faster and the others were sprinters, so there were no strong pushes to reel in the 2 escapees.
With one lap to go I decided to get on the wheel of Jay Guyot, expecting him to be the strongest sprinter I'd have to deal with.
The pace slowed incredibly (below 19 mph) on the back stretch as we set up for the sprint.
Greg Barrett pulled slightly ahead of me on my left side.
Just before approaching the corner at the end of the back stretch, Jay gave a strong jump, pulling him slightly ahead of the pack.
I tried to follow, but a Greg on my left and another rider on my right closed the hole behind him and I got boxed out.
Surprisingly, Jay did not pull away, but ended up being the leader of the pack as we made the final corner, myself in fourth position.
It was impossible for any position changes through the bends, but I was expecting an increase in speed, which surprisingly did not happen, making the bends a non-threat.
We hit the final straightaway and I was shocked that Jay started looking over his shoulder, rather than burying himself for the final outcome.
Although we had 400 meters to the finish, it had a tailwind, making advantages of using the slip stream less effective and the effective distance to the line shorter.
It seemed impractical to wait, so I jumped down the left side, getting a good gap from the pack.
I knew it was a long way and that I might not have the stamina to keep it strong all the way, so I could only give it everything I could.
I found I had drifted back out to the centerline halfway down the stretch and pulled back over to the left side.
With less than 100 meters to go I glanced over my shoulder and saw the pack racing up the right side, but still far enough behind that they'd not catch me before the line.
However, without eyes in the back of my head, I continued to pour everything I could until the line and took the 3rd spot and last of the prize money.
The effort drained me to the point I could only manage 8 mph down the back stretch and it seemed a long way to get back to the other side of the course.
Bixby was able to take the sprint for first place overall and for the 60+ class.
4 of the top 8 were 60+ in the overall 50+ race, so it's a pretty tough class.
I was a little woozey on the drive home, so I'm glad I didn't work any harder.
Fortunately I had a traveling companion with me, my neighbor Julie Morgan, to make sure I returned home safely.
Final sprint. 100m to go, looking over my shoulder.
Final sprint. 90m to go.
Final sprint. 30m to go.
Podium.
Speed over last lap.
Summary
Start
Time |
Distance
(Miles) |
Starters |
Duration |
Weather
(Deg F, mph) |
Speed avg
(MPH) |
Speed Max
(MPH) |
| 9:40 am |
12.24 |
17 |
30:26 |
79, West 9 |
24.1 |
35.5 |
Results
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