March 1, 2014, San Tan Criterium 50+
Phoenix, AZ   40 minutes
Report from Lionel Space, Phoenix AZ

This was a 40 minute criterium on the often used course in North Phoenix. The 0.8 mile course is ridden counter-clockwise with an uphill gradient from the last corner before the line to the first corner after the line.

After a spell of about 70 days without rain, a storm was scheduled to come through on this race day. This had a major impact on participation. And although we had enjoyed temperatures in the 80's during the week, it was below 60 for our race. Online registration closed at 7 pm on the Thursday preceding the race and just before that there was only 1 entry in the 60+ race. So I entered the 50+ race which had 7 entries at the time, which would give me more season long Copper Cup points, since we'd need 6 starters to bump into the next tier of points. By race time there were 3 entries in the 60+ race and 11 in the 50+ race, however there were only 7 50+ racers standing on the line at 8:30 (no 60+ racers showed up).

The rains had come through the race area previously, leaving the roads wet, but there was no precipitation during the race itself. I had only put 100 psi in my rear tire (which had a minimum range of 115 psi) and 95 psi in the front, in hopes I would not have any problems on the damp corners.

Keith Brodhagen would again by my main rival. Brian Lemke was in attendance (he won the first 50+ race of the season on this same course). Joe Cunningham and Jay Silvestri (winner of last week's 50+ race) could also stir things up, especially in the sprint.

At the start, Brian led the pace up the hill and I made sure I was right on his wheel so that he could not easily escape. His effort was not enormous, so the pack remained intact and I stayed in the top 4 for the first several laps, but was always wary that Keith was sitting at the very back and could plan a fly by at any time. Wet grit would get sprayed up into our faces off of the tires of the riders ahead, so it was usually more comfortable to ride somewhat off to the side to keep our mouths and eyes clean. We had several primes in this race and the bell was rung about 4 laps into the race. As we came to the sprint I was on Brian's wheel who was sitting in first. A rider jumped between the two final corners and nobody made a move to stop him. The prime winner eased up after the line and we regrouped. Our laps speeds had been about 24 mph up to this point.

On the next lap, Keith finally showed himself at the front for a short pull as we approached the slight climb and I was quick to get right on his wheel. He did not put in a hard effort and pulled over on the back stetch, where I took a short pull as well. At 13 minutes into the race the officials announced another prime and I positioned myself on Keith's wheel this time, who was in third position as we came to the final turns. The two leaders gave a strong effort for the win and Keith appeared to want it as well, so I just tagged along with him, but had no intention of expending extra energy trying to win it. Keith didn't get the prime, but did an attack right after the line with me towing along and with one other rider hanging with us as we established a break of 3.

The break was substantial enough to warrant continuing with the attempt and we all took turns at the front. That lap averaged 27.5 mph. The next time up the climb Keith took command and when we took the first corner at the top there were only two of us in the break. Keith was really strong and I was near my aerobic capacity to stay with him and had to start reducing my percentage at the front of our break. As we took the penultimate corner, I felt a slight slip in my rear tire. Dang, that 3 year old track tire was not going to be trustworthy on wet surfaces and I had major concerns on it's ability to maintain traction at sprint speed. Thus I was handicapped in that I essentially no longer had a sprint in my arsenal without a big risk of sliding out.

Then we got the bell for the most lucrative prime of the day (a $50 Home Depot gift certificate). We still had half the race to go and the pack was still eyeing us down. Keith and I were both aware of our individual strengths: I had a good sprint when rested and he has the endurance to pound for long periods. He had worn me out a few times this season to either escape from me or nullify my sprint and the current situation was in his favor tactically and now also technically with my poor rear tire performance. We had a large enough gap at this time that any effort of mine to leech on Keith in hope's that he'd relent and slip back into the pack was not likely to succeed. If I were to do so, he'd most likely attack repeatedly on the climb until he detached me and then I'd end up contesting for second with the pack with a slippery rear wheel. So I conceded and told Keith I'd settle for second and help him where I could in the break, thus ensuring I'd get at least a second place. We motored along averaging about 25 mph per lap.

I let Keith have the prime uncontested and we continued on, with the pack still within closing distance. Keith would motor hard down the back stretch where we would make the biggest time gains and it would be easiest for me to use his draft to stay in contact with him. With 5 laps to go, the pack was still trying to bridge up to us, but they started to really fade back with 4 to go. Keith was a good motor and I would take turns at the front from the last corner to just past the finish line, but thought it best that Keith maintain a good pace up the steeper part of the climb. With 2 to go, the pack was out of sight and we started easing up, averaging only 23.9 and 22.7 for the last two laps. On the final lap I let Keith slip away on the back stretch and I took second about 10 seconds later, with the pack still a minute further back for their sprint, won by Joe and followed by Brian.

I still had to work hard for my second place as my lungs were working much harder than they normally do during a race. If the roads were dry, Keith would still have won with his superior endurance and climbing skills. I earned 8 points for the year long Copper Cup series with my second place, which is better than the 3 points I would have received for winning the 60+ race as the sole participant. The bike was pretty filthy after the race.

 
Rain later on at the
race course.
 
 
Rain in our courtyard
just after Noon.
 
Summary
Start
Time		 Distance
(Miles)		 Starters Duration Weather
(Deg F, mph)		 Speed avg
(MPH)		 Speed Max
(MPH)
8:35 am 15.2 7 37:22 59, Calm 24.4 30.7

Results

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