April 7, 2013, Focus Grand Prix, Masters 50+
Chandler AZ
Report from Lionel Space, Phoenix AZ
Many thanks to Julie Morgan and Greg Okolita for the photography.
(Images can be clicked on for a larger version)
The course is in an undeveloped industrial park with spectator visibility of the entire race.
Each clockwise lap is 3/4 of a mile and all the corners are gentle and the roads wide.
We had a tailwind coming down the finishing stretch and it was warm, averaging 83 during our event.
The 12 50+ racers and 7 60+ racers would race together for 40 minutes.
My Mom and our neighbor Julie came with me and my cheering section included my friend Gea Johnson and her mom Sally.
Keith Brodhagen and Mark Fosenburg were present as my main contenders and David Bixby could also pose a threat.
At the gun, David Rackoski from the Landis club took off and quickly developed a sizable gap.
It seemed prudent to remain with the pack and hope that over the course of 40 minutes that he would tire and be reeled in.
However, the pack seemed mostly unmotivated and only averaged about 22 mph for the first lap.
David continued to make ground on us, even though some made a mild effort to organize a chase, but the big four refused to put out a lot of energy.
After not too many laps, David had almost half a lap lead, but we had yet to really show our speed.
Ready for the start.
David taking off from the gun
(in green).
Finishing lap 2, most riders sitting up, taking it easy.
Mark was intently watching Keith, while David Bixby and I would not be far behind.
Keith would make a move to pick up the pace and the other three of us would come through, but the pack was not motivated and the momentum would then slow.
I'd occasionally take an extra turn at the front to try to keep David's lead in check, but the pack would usually pull over with me or Keith would again come through in exasperation.
Keith giving a surge (end of lap 5), Mark
on his wheel, Lionel and Bixby right behind.
Next lap, I'm at the front trying to keep the pace up. Rackoski on the far right.
Lap 8, Keith leading Mark, myself and Bixby again.
Lap 8, Lionel leading after Mark has pulled over.
After about 20 minutes of solo effort, David Rackoski was eventually brought back into the fold.
At 24 minutes into the race, Keith uncorked a strong attack from behind just before the last corner.
I gave chase and gave everything I could to reel him in, hitting 36.7 mph in the process, as Keith would continue on solo if allowed to escape.
Dwight and Bixby were soon behind me, also in pursuit.
In the process, I discovered that chasing on the downwind section made it difficult to gain ground as there was no draft advantage as I closed the gap.
Fortunately I caught him before we hit the headwind stretch after turn 1 and he eased up and we did a slight regrouping.
But then half a lap later he surged again, this time with Bixby and Mark on his wheel.
This was a good move on his part and I had to really work hard to not let them escape or my race would be over.
It was very difficult to close the gap as the tailwind gave me no advantage by being behind them.
Keith attacking, lap 15.
Next lap, Keith, Bixby, and Mark
gapping me.
13 seconds later,
7 together.
24 seconds later, Rackoski (having been caught and passed) chasing the leaders.
The four of us had a break as we went around the first corner and Keith pulled over to allow someone else to take over,
but none of us, especially me, were enthusiastic in keeping the break going.
The remaining competitors were not generally a threat and if the break proceeded, Keith would keep working us over.
Keith took over the lead at the last corner again and picked up the pace again, making it tough on us.
He eventually relented and a lap later Bixby went up to the front to keep the pace going, just as the bell was rung for a prime.
He kept off the front and got his prime and we soon joined up with him when he eased up.
Keith making it tough, lap 17.
Bixby working during lap 19.
Bixby trying to sneak off the front.
Bixby going for the prime, lap 20.
But Bixby decided to keep the pressure on and was going strong on the next lap.
He eased up on the back stretch, but then David Rackoski tried to slip away again.
Bixby gave pursuit and I couldn't afford for them to escape, so I chased with Keith and Mark on my wheel.
Pressure from Bixby on lap 21.
Rackoski trying to get away, Bixby in pursuit.
Keeping us all together.
(Note windsock in background)
However, this left me in third position with one lap to go and Keith and Mark right behind me in prime position to take me in the sprint on the final lap.
I figured with the tailwind on the finishing stretch, that being in the front might not be so bad, so I stayed where I was,
but as we came to turn 2 at only 20 mph, my two leaders had peeled off, leaving me at the front.
I pulled to the far left so that even if I had to start the sprint, at least I'd be in a good position to properly take the final corner.
My speed was only 23 mph as I continued and about a third of the way towards the final corner, a rider jumped on the far right, another followed, then Keith, Mark, and Bixby joined in.
Although I had started to accelerate when I first noticed the jump, I was then slightly behind Mark and on his left as we hit 30 mph.
It remained at that speed as we approached the final turn and it just felt like we were slowing down,
so just before the turn I kicked into high speed and passed everyone before the turn and was able to take the ideal line from a bit farther out from the right side.
Thus Keith and Mark were somewhat stuck behind the lead riders that were not going as fast and not taking as good a line and by the time I got up to 34 mph on the straight section after the turn, I had about 10 lengths on Keith.
Then with the tailwind, all I needed to do was make sure I kept the speed up and they should have no chance of closing in on me.
It was a long 30 second sprint, but the best chance to take the win.
10 length gain on Keith (in fifth position), just after final corner.
200 meters to go, looking at the
other's positions behind me.
150 meters to go.
100 meters to go.
70 meters to go.
Victory.
The final lap was not the fastest lap of the race.
Keith took second and Mark was not able to come around him, taking third.
I was fortunate to recognize the advantages of the tailwind finish and the opportunity to exploit it.
And I still had enough speed for this third race in as many days.
Summary
Start
Time |
Distance
(Miles) |
Starters |
Duration |
Speed avg
(MPH) |
Speed Max
(MPH) |
HR avg
(BPM) |
HR max
(BPM) |
| 9:15 am |
17.2 |
12 |
40:57 |
25.2 |
36.7 |
159 |
185 |
Results
Racing page Bike page
