May 22, 2004, Tucson Criterium Series #1
Tucson, AZ   11.5 miles

I was in the Masters 45+ age group which was 30 minutes on a 0.5 mile course, which went for 23 laps. The last 150 meters of each lap were uphill and the hill continued for another 30 meters to the first corner. We had 13 starters plus we had the 55+ riders mixed in with us. The last turn is tight and tough to take at full speed.

I was first to the first corner again and led the lap past the last corner at a moderate pace, avoiding any pileups. Bob Anderson (who recently moved to AZ from WA) and Don Lewis were the strongest riders, but each time we tried to pull off the front, the pack would hang on. A Landis rider got a bit of a solo gap and Bob took off to join him. I let them get away to provide a break from the pack. On the uphill, I took off and joined them within one lap, with Don Lewis in tow. With half the race to go, we finally were able to stay away off the front, but the Landis rider decided to drop back.

On the last lap, we were still together and I was in third position along the back stretch. I attacked a little early to make sure I could be the first one through the last corner, but because I didn't take the corner at full speed, the others were right on my tail. I stayed in my 53x16 and tried to keep the speed up on the uphill, but didn't get out of the saddle. Bob was able to nip me at the line, but I held Don off for second. My heart rate reached 188 during the sprint, but sprint speed was only 29.9 mph @ 124 rpm.

I probably should have driven harder through the last corner, but did not want to risk going down (the following week there was a massive pileup in the Class 5 race). I definitely should have bumped the gear up a notch and driven it home out of the saddle.

Results posted at http://www.mbtween.com/crit/2004i/may22.html

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