February 20, 2016, Tolero Criterium, 50/55/60+
Oro Valley, AZ   30 minutes
Report from Lionel Space, Phoenix AZ
Many thanks to The Damion Alexander Team for the photography.
(Images can be clicked on for a larger version)

I left at 6:45 for the one and a half hour drive to the criterium just North of Tucson with my good friend Homayoon Farsi. The 30 minute race around the half mile course would have 3 categories racing together, Masters 50-54, 55-59, and 60+, including a 34 year old Woman rider, Sarah Muench, who desired to get some strong racing in with us oldsters. The overall placings of the entire group would have a chance at cash awards for the top 3 of $50, $30, & $20, a nice improvement from previous years. There would be 3 prime sprints during the race as well, with $25 cash on the first and $20 cash on the third (I checked before we raced).

The temperature was almost 70 in Tucson and it felt warm in the sun when we arrived at the course, so suitable for summer clothing. Very calm conditions and sunshine made for a beautiful day.

Unlike previous years, a contingent of strong Phoenix area riders came down to battle with the strong Tucson teams. My likelihood of winning did not seem high against the likes of Steve Cullinan (sprinting well this year), Keith Brodhagen (always a strong force), Peter Smith (a dangerous time trialer), James Silverman (51 year old good rider from Flagstaff), Jimmy Davis Jr (52 Tucson time trialer), Jay Guyot (always a strong rider), and David Bixby (good at any kind of race and sometimes pulls out a good sprint). Silverman and Guyot would be primary on my radar, with Cullinan to watch if it came down to a sprint.

I had a good start and led for the first lap at a brisk pace (24.5 mph) to avoid anyone crashing in front of me. I was able to relinquish the lead, but stay in the top 3 for the next several laps. At the end of the 4th lap, we were given the bell for the first prime, which I really wanted to help cover my expenses. Jay Guyot gave a strong attack and I immediately latched onto his wheel. By the time we rounded the second corner, we had developed a good gap on the rest of the field, so I could plan my sprint with only Jay to consider. I waited until after the final corner to begin my sprint and Jay did not seem to contest it, so I took it easily. Our gap had increased, so we continued on and stretched it out for a while. I would join in the work, but Jay didn't seem to be really pushing to make sure the break succeeded, but still we floated out front for a bit.

A second prime was announced and I told Jay that it was his turn, hoping the gesture would inspire him to work a bit more for the success of the break. If we stayed away for the entire race, I was fairly sure I could take the sprint and win the race, so it seemed a good strategy. Besides, the second prime was a discount for services at some Tucson establishments that Jay could benefit from much more than me.

However after the prime, our paced did not increase and we could see the pack reducing our advantage, bit by bit. We kept riding on and instead of being swallowed up, our gap seemed to have increased dramatically. We passed a few lapped riders and on the next time across the finish line, we saw a small pack of riders waiting to resume, apparently having been caught up in a crash and getting a free lap. We assumed that they would be joining the remnants of the pack behind us and we kept our break going, now about half way into the race

To our surprise on the next time to the line, the crash pack was still standing there and the officials let them proceed just behind us, so that we were now all one pack again and on the same lap. The game changed dramatically at that point and Jay and I discontinued our efforts at the front.

Another prime was announced, and since it was more cash, I tried to position myself to have a chance at it. I was a bit too far back and on the back stretch after the second turn, 2 guys got a bit of a gap, with me taking the final corner in third. It wasn't worth the effort to try to take the prime, so I just got up to their wheel so that they would not escape without me. Although we had a small gap after the prime at the top of the hill, they did not push it and we were soon back in one group again.

James Silverman then attacked the next time up the hill and got a small gap. Bixby and a few others gave chase and I watched from about 6th position. They kept him in check and within a lap we were together again.

We now had about 6 laps to go and I was concerned about the positioning of Cullinan, not wanting him to use me as a lead out for his sprint. It took me a while to move back and find him and with 3 to go I got on his wheel, but that put me about mid-pack, too far back for my comfort. Silverman was at the front setting the pace and Guyot was looking antsy again, so I got onto his wheel and ignored Cullinan.

With 1.8 laps to go, up at the top just after the S-curves, Guyot passed his teammate and made an attack off the front, with myself right on his wheel. The attack didn't seem all that severe, but we developed a gap on the rest of the pack. He continued to lead, knowing I was on his wheel and our gap increased a bit. As we went up the hill, getting the bell for the final lap, I was concerned that the pack was going to swallow us up, but we still had a small gap. After taking the first two turns and we went through the downhill curves, I glanced back and saw that the pack was strung out and we still had enough of a gap that they probably would not catch us before the finish. I again waited until after the final turn to begin my sprint in my 50x15 and quickly went by Guyot for the win, Bixby taking third and leading the pack. The additional prize for being the first 60+ rider was a box of bar tape.

I was surprised at how easily I won this race, knowing the quality of racers that participated. I felt strong the entire race, never taxed, and my sprint was always good. The corners probably intimidate some, so the technical nature of the course may have been to my advantage, since I can take any of them at speed without concern. I was very fortnunate in my choices for positioning throughout the race as well.

Apparently there were at least 3 crashes in our race and I was fortunate to be ahead of all of them. 5 riders abandoned the race due to those crashes.



Summary
Start
Time		 Distance
(Miles)		 Starters Duration Weather
(Deg F, mph)		 Speed avg
(MPH)		 Speed Max
(MPH)
9:40 am 11.5 21 28:47 70, Calm 23.9 33.5

Results

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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