September 8, 2012, Tolero Criterium #2
Oro Valley, AZ   30 minutes
Report from Lionel Space, Phoenix AZ
Many thanks to my wife Noel for the photography.
(Images can be clicked on for a larger version)

The last criterium race in Arizona for 2012 was just North of Tucson on a course I had raced on several years ago. The half mile course has several turns that can be a bit tight when taken at speed and the final stetch is slightly uphill. The weather had threatened with rain and the surrounding area was green from the previous days dousing. The sky was overcast, but the roads were dry. Although the temperature was in the low 80s, it was extremely humid and we were sweating to death while standing still at the start and waiting to get going.

We had 7 50+ racers and 2 60+ racers riding together. I decided to wear my AZ State Championship jersey (yellow, blue, and red).

The finish stretch begins at the lowest part of the course and the finish line about two thirds up the incline. I had surveyed the options and decided it would be best to be the first rider around the last corner on the last lap. My plan A was to also be the first rider around the penultimate corner, but the downhill chicanes would require a jump through a tricky area and most likely the jump would happen on the flat section between those two turns.

Although I had not trained intensely since my last race in July, I felt I had kept my sprint speed up and hoped that I had adequate endurance to survive the attacks. My main concern was that I had been experiencing some cramp feelings in my calves and ham strings for the last several days, so I was worried that my legs could fail me at any time if I had to exert too much. This would mean I would need to ride as conservatively as possible and nullify attacks immediately, as my best chance of winning was to be with the lead riders at the finish and take the final sprint.

There were 2 riders that I would be concerned with, Dwight and Scott. Dwight had given me a good whipping on this course back in 2005, but he was not in the same shape this year. Scott also was not at his previous strength shown several years ago, but had soloed away to a win at the Flagstaff race, leaving me in second. So I would need to keep a close watch on Scott and also not let Dwight be given a chance to just walk away.

The first lap was a gentle transition into the day, averaging 24 mph and nobody riding recklessly through the tricky course. Dwight decided to up the pace as we hit the uphill stetch for the first time and I kept careful guard on Scott. Although Dwight got a small gap by the top of the hill where it then immediately takes the first turn, he eased up and we did not have to work to bring him back into the group. But this did animate the pack as we averaged 26.9 mph on that lap, the second fastest of the day.
Off we go. Dwight puts pressure on at the end of lap 1. All together at the end of lap 2. I'm sitting on Scott's wheel.

Alex took off solo on the next lap and got a good lead, but we were not concerned that this would last for long. We were soon given our first prime and the pace picked up, bringing Alex back into the group. Dwight led the pace down the back stretch, with Scott on his wheel and me closely watching the two of them. They got out of the saddle on the uphill stetch as I kept them tight while staying in the saddle and I was thinking that they weren't going all that fast. Scott pipped Dwight at the line and then they both eased up considerably, much to my benefit. A couple laps later, Kevin made a bid off the front from the incline and we let him get a bit of a gap. By this time we had shed one of the 60+ riders and one of the 50+ riders. Fortunately for Kevin, they called the second prime of the day and although Dwight made a late attempt to catch him, Kevin won the prime.
End of lap 3, Alex off the front. Dwight leading at the top of the hill
after the prime. Keeping an eye on Scott.		 Kevin starting to solo away.

About half way into the race, they called the third prime and it was nearly a repeat of the first one, although Scott won more handily this time. This gave me an indication of their sprinting speed and as long as I didn't suffer any mishaps, I was sure they would not be a threat if it came down to a bunch sprint.

We stayed together for the next several laps, some of them only averaging 21 and 22 mph. Then as we began lap 14 Dwight gave the strongest attack of the day, on the incline, and nobody else reacted. I came off of Scott's wheel at the back of the pack and quickly moved up to Dwight, catching him at the top the hill. Scott saw the danger and quickly chased as well and the three of us had broken away from the others at the top stetch of the course. However, the two decided to not keep the pressure on and there was no advantage for me to exert extra energy at this point, although it would have been fun to dig a little as I felt it had been a very easy ride so far. So although we averaged 26.5 mph on the lap, we were all together again by the time we took the final corner again.
Dwight going for broke on lap 14. Scott reacting. All together again a lap later.

Dwight was a little frustrated as we came to the climb again and put on some more pressure as Scott, myself, and the other three survivors kept him from getting away.
Dwight assessing the situation. Applying more pressure. Dwight followed by Scott, Lionel, and Kevin.

I saw the 5 to go board go up. A lap later I felt some rain drops on my face. With three to go, Scott tried to put some pressure on up the hill, but I had no problem with the pace.
Scott turns the screws with 3 to go. Trying to put in some hurt. These guys are sure working hard!

With two to go Dwight was trying to put on some pressure, but it was not nearly strong enough to do any damage.
Dwight leading with 2 to go. Time to zip up the jersey for the finish. Smiling for the camera.

As we came up the hill for the bell lap, Scott took the lead and gave a mighty effort. This was a bit unexpected, but I had no problem maintaining contact and he kept the pressure on for the entire lap. Only one other rider came with us, so there were three of us in a break coming to the final stretch for the finish.
Scott attacks with one to go. Scott keeping the pressure on. Scott blowing the race apart. Easily keeping on Scott's wheel.

Scott was still leading on the downhill section and also as we approached the penultimate turn. I started to accelerate going through that turn so that I could be in the lead before the final turn and felt my rear tire slip a few inches on the newly damp pavement. Still I easily jumped past Scott on the bottom stretch, braked a little before the final turn so as not to slip again, and then accelerated again up the hill. I checked between my legs with my head down to see where the other two were and then got out of the saddle to ensure that I'd increase the gap a bit more. Seeing that I easily had the win by several lengths, I had time to salute the win for the camera. We averaged 28.7 mph on the last lap.
Looking between my legs to
see my progress in the sprint.		 Out of the saddle for
the first time.		 Crossing the line.
Dwight and Kevin approaching the corner
in the background.		 Scott coming in second.

So I was able to keep the race under control and take a relatively easy win and no hint of cramps; a good way to finish the season. This will add another 10 points to the ABRA (Arizona Bicycle Racing Association) Copper Cup series, a season long tally of AZ races which I currently lead with a good margin (193 to 125 for the second rider) for the 55-59 Men. Afterwards Scott admitted that he surmised that he wouldn't be able to win the sprint, so he went a lap early to ensure he'd get at least second. Dwight apparently had drained the tank and finished very far back. The third place finisher was the first place rider of the 60+ group with Kevin taking the official third spot for the 50+ race.

Summary
Start
Time		 Distance
(Miles)		 Starters Duration Weather
(Deg F, mph)		 Speed avg
(MPH)		 Speed Max
(MPH)		 HR avg
(BPM)		 HR max
(BPM)
9:29 am 11.4 7 28:38 83, Calm 23.8 34.9 167 185

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