TOUR OF WINGHAVEN

Here I am just after crossing the finish line behind a teammate. I'm spent!

This race is probably the race I look forward to more than any other during the season. The course is a 3 mile circuit with 2 European style roundabouts and an uphill sprint finish. Last year I took 2nd in the cat 4 event and I hoped to do well again this year.

The day of the race it was hot and humid. I would have drank 3 bottles during the race but I managed to drop a full bottle right in the middle of the peloton. Luckily it didn’t create and problems. After attempting several breakaways, I decided to save my energy for a sprint finish. After coming through the last turn I followed the attack of the leader and found myself in 2nd with 50 meters to go. Suddenly, almost out of nowhere, my teammate Gabe flew around me to nab 2nd. I settled for 3rd, $300, and 4 upgrade points.

Not a bad day. Even better, on the podium I received my bronze medal, a bottle of wine from a local winery, and a kiss on the cheek from a cute podium girl.

I love the Tour of Winghaven. Major props go out to Big Shark Bicycle Company, the city of O’Fallon, and all the volunteers that make this event one of the best in Missouri!

WEBSTER GROVES RACE REPORT

Photo taken during the Webster Groves Crit. The Mesa rider behind me and I were talking race strategy. Earlier I was trying to convince him to work harder and chase down the break up the road. He thought I should have been working harder. No feelings were hurt, I think.

WEBSTER GROVE CRIT (6/22)
This race is also one of my favorites of the year. I like the course and the atmosphere this race has to offer. Last year I won the 4/5 race and secured enough upgrade points to cat up to the 3’s. This year I was hoping to gain a few more upgrade points so I might one day be able to make it to the 2’s.

I rode toward the front for most of the day and had in my mind what I would do at the end of the race to come away with a victory. Unfortunately my plan didn’t work because a Mesa Cycles rider attacked way before I thought anything would happen and I found myself in a horrible position. After being forced off the road by a rider who doesn’t know how to control his bike I found myself in a position where I wouldn’t be able to contest the sprint. I was forced to settle for a less than stellar result. I’m not quite sure where I ended up, but I probably rolled over the line around 15th or so.

The lesson I learned again was simple though. Position means everything in some races. I’ll do better next time.

O'Fallon Gran Prix

This last Saturday I took part in my second road race of the year. The field was small (19 riders), and they combined us with the Pro/1/2 field. It was a good experience for me as I was able to see first hand what some of the stronger riders were like. Anyway, I instantly spotted the few strong riders in my field that I knew I had to keep my attention focused on. After the first lap it was clear that a rider from "Get A Grip" (GAG) was a man to watch. In fact, at the start of the second lap (of 3), he attacked time after time. UnfortunalelyI was the only person to cover each attack and I was growing tired of this. Eventually I decided to let one of GAG's attacks fly and told the others I wasn't going to chase. Well, he was able to bridge to the Pro/1/2 breakaway that was up the road and we didn't see him until the podium. After another 40 miles on the bike I lost by a half wheel in the field sprint to Chris Kelly. He deserved it, I made him work his ass off for most of the race anyway so I guess that's KARMA. Good job Chris.

3rd place netted me 4 upgrade points an $70. Not bad.