A tough day in the saddle for Tower – Flats, crashes, and missed opportunities. At the beginning of the race, Tower had roughly 19 members racing in a 75man field and a good team game plan was assembled to take quick and definitive control of this race. Unfortunately, today it was not meant to be.
Other than a late start, the event was well organized with many road closures, barricades, volunteers, and the SRAM follow car. The course was a 5.5 mile trip through neighborhoods with loads of turns and a small hill to climb. The road conditions were okay in parts and outright terrible in others. Good news was that the entire road was open for racers to use. The bad news was that there was one very dangerous corner presented by a long slightly downhill stretch (1.5miles?) that plunged into a sharp left turn with very poor road conditions. Then 100 meters later, another very sharp right turn with a street that looked like it was from after the allies bombed it in World War II. This area was to be the downfall of Tower.
On the first lap a number of Tower Riders (including Pat D., Jim C, and others) flatted in a rough part of the course sinking our strategy. From my perspective, I tried to attack numerous times leading the peloton on small breakaways that would not stick. Due to the technical nature of the course, I tried to stay near the front for as much of the race I could, especially making certain that I was always first, or in the top 5 going into the dangerous turn that I described. Between breakaway attempts and staying out of trouble, it felt like my legs were in the finale of the fourth of July from all the matches that were being burnt.
Since the race stayed together the whole way, I found Ed and Don on the last lap as we approached the long straight away and told them that I would lead them out. I hit the gas for an all-out assault down the last stretch. Upon review of my power numbers, I sustained a 500 watt effort for about 2 minutes averaging 34mph – I wanted to make certain to be first into the first dangerous turn first and set up Ed and Don for a sprint finish. It was perfectly scripted.
After the dangerous turn, I pulled off and 4 others along with Ed and Don passed me before the next dangerous right hand turn. As I made the turn, the new leader misjudged the corner crashing and took out the following guy. Ed E. was charging hard and with the carnage in front of him had nowhere to go, except into the curb and over his handlebars.
Don H. and I, were nearly full brakes and narrowly avoided the crash (and prayed Ed was okay)…we had 100 meters on the bombed WWII street before the last turn and then 200 meters to the finish. Don was third going into the very last turn and the guy in front of him ALSO misjudged the turn crashing into the curb and leaving his bike skipping along the course. Don, with nowhere to go was taken out by this guy’s bike and sent Don to the pavement. I went full breaks to avoid (…praying that Don was also okay).
Due to lost momentum, I finished 8th ish, but the real damage was done. Don AND Ed were both perfectly positioned and I would have bet podium spot for each of them – knowing their very strong kick at the end. Unfortunately, knuckleheads in the peloton with either limited bike handling skills, or terrible judgment usurped BOTH their chances. Furthermore, both Ed and Don were sent to the hospital with Ed breaking 5 ribs and breaking his collarbone, while Don dislocated his shoulder. Of course the turkeys that caused the crashes were able to walk away. Typical.
I wish Ed and Don a healthy and speedy recovery and hope they will be back in action again soon.
