March 7, 2015, San Tan Criterium 60+
Phoenix, AZ   40 minutes
Report from Lionel Space, Phoenix AZ

This was a 40 minute criterium on very smooth roads around a bar bell shaped course, 1.15 miles per lap. The length from the final turn is short, such that whoever gets through the final corner on the last lap will likely win the race. This year there was a fair North wind, so the stretches heading North, particularly the one before 2 corners to go, had an impactual headwind.

This year they broke up the field into two races, 50+ and 60+ racing together for separate finishing prizes. There would be 4 primes for the combined group. There were 7 riders in my 60+ race and another 14 in the 50+ race. I had won on this course a couple of time previously, so I was very familiar with it.

An unusual facet to my race was the inclusion of Paul Curley from Massachusetts, visiting Arizona for 16 days. He is the current National Champion in 60-64 Cyclocross, so I was sure he had plenty of stamina and could not afford to let him ride away in a break without me. Thus the majority of my attention would be on him.

We started off very leisurely, only averaging 22.9 mph on the first lap. We then got down to business and did the second lap at 26.4 and averaged about 25 on the next 2. After 3 laps into the race, we got the bell of the first of the prime sprints. I put myself near the front in hopes to get some extra prizes and was 3rd around the penultimate corner. Jim Silverman then gave an acceleration to go for it, but it looked like I could take it, so I passed him before the last corner and took the prime with several lengths to spare, hitting 33.7 mph in the process. This momentum kept me out front past the first corner, but I was just waiting to rejoin the pack.

We averaged 25.3 on that next lap and then were given the bell for another prime. I decided to conserve myself and not go for it, as I was not sure of Paul's capabilities. As we came up the North stretch with 4 corners to go, Paul was leading with me on his wheel, but he was only doing 18 mph. He started to coast, so I took the lead through the next corner and pulled over, still only doing 19 mph. However nobody came around and the entire pack sat on my wheel at the slow speed. I took the next corner into the headwind, still only at 19 mph and nobody attacked. I lead through the penultimate corner and still nobody went for the prime, so as we hit about 200 meters to go, I jumped from 20 mph to 33.1 and gathered some easy prize money.

This time one of the 50+ riders made an attack right after the finish line. However, I did not give chase, even though I was entirely capable to, because it was not my race. I dropped back to monitor Paul while a few other riders slipped off the front, eventually 4 riders getting away. Most the the next several laps only averaged 23.5 mph, so the break was just let go. Part of the situation was Paul would sit near the front and when a chaser would pull over to let another rider continue the pace, Paul would just ease up, nullifying the chase. It wasn't his race to chase either, but it certainly made it difficult for the 50+ riders to get organized. Lemke was doing the majority of the chasing and then Fosenburg would assist, but Paul always remained in the top 2 or 3, with me on his wheel, so there was no help from any other riders. Occasionally someone would jump off from behind, but the pack would chase him down and then we were back to the same routine again. With 4 of the 5 payouts away off the front, the 50+ riders were getting a bit discouraged. My job was to stay with Paul and make sure I beat him to the finish line. The other 2 primes were given to the riders ahead in the break away, so I didn't have a chance to contest them.

We eventually got the lap board for 5 to go and the pace remained rather leisurely, which was perfect to allow me to rest up for the sprint. After we were given 2 laps to go, Andrew Hosterman took off with 3 corners to go and nobody gave chase. We had only averaged 23.6 mph, so it was a good plan and an easy escape to collect the final money in the 50+ race.

With 1 to go I was still sitting on Paul. The lap only averaged 24.8 mph and no big attacks were attempted. As we went down the headwind stretch towards the penultimate corner, I was in 3rd position, still behind Paul. I decided to wait a bit longer than usual and made my jump just after we straightened up to head for the final corner, quickly passing Paul who was also jumping. I hit the final turn in the lead at 34.7 mph in my 50x14 and after carefully taking the turn, looked back to see Paul not far behind and actually gaining on me. I kicked it up to 35.3 and gave a lunge at the line as Paul was still coming up and he only lost by about a half a bike length.

So the race played out very well for me, allowing me to be fully rested to take the final sprint. As it turned out, Paul was staying at the house of Brett Van De Sande, who was up in the break; some of his unwillingness to contribute to the chase may have been to ensure that Brett remained in the prize money and not let the superior sprinters still in the pack get up to join him.

Summary
Start
Time		 Distance
(Miles)		 Starters Duration Weather
(Deg F, mph)		 Speed avg
(MPH)		 Speed Max
(MPH)
8:30 am 16.1 7 39:55 68, N@9 24.2 35.3

Results

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