October 6, 2012, Best Buddies Arizona Criterium
Chandler, AZ   30 minutes
Report from Lionel Space, Phoenix AZ
Many thanks to Julie Morgan for the photography.
(Images can be clicked on for a larger version)

This was an unsanctioned race held as a fund raising event. It was on the same course used at the end of January (1.25 miles around and flat), only 10 minutes away from home. This was a 35+ race, so I anticipated that it would be a tough race and plenty of competition for the win, but with a dearth of other races that suited me and it being so close to home, it would be fun to join. The weather was mostly calm, a comfortable 90 degrees, and overcast skies. I had a great cheering section of Julie, Gea, and Sally, rooting for me on every lap. I'd be easy to spot in my all black skin suit.

When I showed up at the course, I was shocked to see very few people there. The Pro,1,2,3 races was underway with only 8 participants. At registration I would learn that there were only 5 in my race, two of which were currently competing in the Pro,1,2,3 race. With this small size of a group, I could not rely on the pack chasing down any lone breaks, so it would be important not to let anyone slip away. My plan A would be to keep the group together and then begin my sprint before the final turn and hold it to the line. I was not familiar with the credentials of my competitors and there were two riders from the Landis team that might work together. I had picked out a rider in red as the primary rider to watch in the beginning.

Since the entry list was so small, the organizers decided to begin the race early, as it was the last one on the program. They came over to my vehicle while I was changing clothes and told me that they'd appreciate it if I could get to the line as soon as possible; fortunately I don't need much of a warm up. They had a bunch of prime prizes to distribute, so we'd have four laps of prime sprints out of the 9 we would complete.

The first lap was very mundane, averaging only 18.6 mph; just fine by me if they want to take it easy for most of the race. The second lap picked up to a more moderate speed, but still only 22.6 mph. Then they rang the bell for the first sprint and things would get more interesting on lap 3. I stayed on my rider in red and with half a lap to go I was behind all the others, watching their abilities and intentions. One of the Landis riders (green and white jerseys) took off with two corners to go and Scott (in the fluorescent green jersey) had a fairly powerful jump to go after him. My rider in Red stuck to the other Landis rider's wheel and we watched the prime from a few lengths back; maximum speed of 31.6 mph. I kept an eye on the prime winner and he eased up after the line and we regrouped, but clearly I'd need to change my assessment of who to watch.
First prime. Lap 4, after the prime lap.

Lap 4 was another easy lap, only averaging 22.2 mph and then they gave us the bell for another prime. This time I'd stick to Scott's wheel. This time we did a mild acceleration on the back stretch and Scott powered up just before the last corner. He took the corner a little wide and I noticed my rear wheel skipping just a bit going through it, making me wish I had just a little less air pressure in them. He kept going at a steady pace, hitting 32.1 mph tops and I had little difficulty in keeping with him and the others were much farther back. Immediately after the sprint, he eased up and we all grouped together again. So far everything was going to plan, the race had not been at all taxing, and I knew who to watch.
Second prime. Keeping an eye on Scott

Then just after the regroup, one of the Landis riders made an attack. I was still behind Scott, who did not give any reaction and the others were also just watching. After he got about an 8 length gap, I jumped away, gapping Scott and quickly closed in on the Landis rider. He continued on for a short while and then after noticing that I had joined him, he eased up and soon the other chasers were back up with us. Then half a lap later, the other Landis rider made an attack, with the red rider in pursuit and I was right on their wheel, so they eased before the final turn.

As expected, another bell was rung for the next prime. Right after the line another attack, this time by the rider in red and again I need to chase it down. Scott catches us and for a while the two Landis riders are gapped, but then we eased up. As the Landis riders caught back up to us, one of them went on the run again and Scott went after him with me on his wheel. We passed him soon after the last corner and I simply kept in contact with Scott, not knowing if he was strong enough to continue solo. We got up to 31.6 mph and the others were struggling behind us. Scott eased up again immediately after winning the prime.
End of Lap 6, all together. Scott sprinting for prime, end of lap 7. Staying on Scott during prime.

Lap 8 only averaged 22.5 mph, which included a mild and short attack on the back stretch, as we started preparing for the final lap. I made sure I was on Scott's wheel and kept myself on full alert. As we started down the back stretch, the rider in red made an attack and a Landis rider followed him. Fortunately Scott soon joined them with me glued to his wheel. The rider in red pulled off and slipped in behind me while the Landis rider continued on, followed by Scott and myself, leaving me in the perfect position as we approached the final corner. As we went down the short stretch before the last corner, the riders in front of me left room on the left and about two thirds of the way down I made my attack, about 50 m before the last turn, slipping by them on the left so that I could set up a better line for the turn. I gave a little bit of braking just before the turn due to my worry about the tires slipping on the smooth asphalt and took the turn as tight as I could. As I came out of the turn I glanced over my right shoulder and was surprised to see that I already had about a 6 length gap on the rest of them. I gave it a bit more effort, extending it out to about 8 lengths and had the win easily in hand way before the finish; maximum speed of 35.2 mph, which was not able to be matched.
Taking the win. Podium photo.

The rider in red was next behind me and one of the Landis riders took third; Scott must have expended too much energy in the prime sprints to have a solid finish. I was fortunate that I felt great, everything went to plan, and I had a very easy race and a win.

This organization might have another race in Scottsdale on 11/16, so there may be more fun ahead before the end of the year.

Summary
Start
Time		 Distance
(Miles)		 Starters Duration Weather
(Deg F, mph)		 Speed avg
(MPH)		 Speed Max
(MPH)
1:09 pm 11.1 5 28:43 90, Calm 23.1 35.2

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