ABD Memorial Weekend Masters Race – 40+ Cat 4 – Tower’s on the podium
Sorry for the delay in the race report, I’d rather ride than write and free time is low. Though most have seen Tony’s write-up, I’ve added a few details.
Saturday:
Tower Racers: Cowbell Hanke (CBH) , Xman (a.k.a. Racer X), Gary C, Paul, and Quadzilla Maximus (QZM)
Came will a plan. QZM, Gary and Paul were to attach at will, block for each other keep the race moving. Don and I would hang back and enjoy the sweat off the efforts of others.
Plan: Depending upon position, Don or I were to lead the other out. The lead-out would hit it at warp speed, the other to follow and sweep around to victory. Plans don’t always go as devised.
Uh oh. Scare on corner 4 about ½way into race. Leader swerves to the left to all others to pass after turn 4 into the wind. Peloton surges left and pinches riders on inside. I was riding the curb and actually had to put my foot down in the grass to keep from falling over. Can’t believe I remained upright. Hard to believe no one when down. Other than this mishap, a very safe race. Two laps later, I scrape a pedal around turn 2, but my back tire only skips about an inch or two. Whew! Not like the Monsters cat 4 the previous week which had too many crashes to count.
Result: Lost Don on last lap. Lost ground after turn 2 and whole peloton passed on left. Was too far back – about 20th. Don’t know where Don was. Rounded turn three on inside and got pinned in. Suddenly an opening in the middle that lead up to Cowbell’s wheel. Caught up with Hanke, yelled “Go Go!” Don took off like a shot. For some reason, I decided to ride on Don’s outside into the wind. Couldn’t move up. Sorry Don, excellent leadout.
Final tally: Tower doubles up on the Podium with Cowbell in 2nd, me in 3rd, Gary 6th. Xman = bridesmaid.
Sunday:
Tower Racers: Cowbell Hanke, Xman, and Paul N.
Race: Don, Paul, Ed racing. Race was rather tame with an occasional launch by ABD. An ABD rider broke away, no one was concerned. Until, Don noticed he was getting away and we were slowing to 21 mph. Don, launches an bridge with 5 laps pulled 1.75 laps followed by strong pull from Paul and a repeat from Don. We came within 1 bike length of the break away. No one else would help and I just sat in thinking he was not that far off. Ooops! I was able to place 3rd. Don and Paul wore themselves out with no other help from the peloton reeling in the ABD soloist.
Final tally: Tower on the Podium (3rd). Once again, I am a bridesmaid.
Monday:
Tower Racers: Cowbell Hanke (CBH), Xman (a.k.a. Racer X), QZM, Tom Mc., Dr. Phil (fresh off the course from the 50+), and Mike Janius (coming off of 6th place in the cat 5 in the morning).
Plan: Tony, Tom, Phil, Mike Janius to alternate attacks. Not let ABD’s 12 racers control the race. Especially due to the results from yesterday. Have Tower dominate. Cowbell and I are to sit in and relax. I owe Cowbell big time for the podium finishes the last two days and will lead out in the sprint. CBH to call out when.
Race: Tony attacks off the starting gun with an evil grin on his face. What happened yesterday was not going to happen today unless the breakaway was wearing blue and green. All take turns with attacks. Tower controlled the race. It’s awesome to see that play out. Frustrating to watch and not participate in the attacks. Dr Phil attacked early, even though fatigued from earlier race and century the day before. Tom grabs two primes in the course of his many attacks. Mike Janius was a surprise in attacking with 3 laps to go. Way to go Mike. On the last half lap, Cowbell Hanke gets behind me and I wait for the signal to hit it. We are all a little tentative as it started raining halfway through the race, but no one is slipping (too much). Rain started ½ through race. Though, overall a safe race.
About 50 meters before the last turn, Hanke yells go, I hit it. Unfortunately, the opposite of what happened on Saturday happens and Don loses my wheel. I end of leading out the overall points leader to the finish line and my legs are screaming. He passes me just before the line.
Final Tally: I took 2nd (maid of honor this time) , Cowbell Hanke 3rd, Tommy 7th (Awesome in itself, but phenomenal considering the multiple attacks Tommy conducted). We all heard a lot of comments on how we ran that race from the other riders. We seem to be getting more respect as we enter year 2.
Overall Standings: I took 2nd (Does maid of honor sound familiar) and Don took 7th (impressive considering 18th place on Sunday due to killer effort to reacquire the breakaway. Don would easily have placed 2nd overall without this sacrifice).
End result: Rather tame race pace. Nothing compared to the 40+ Cat 1/2/3/4 monsters race. Races were safe. Tower was on the podium each day. Cowbell Hanke and I, cleaned up with about $210 for Tower Racing charities between the two of us. My company will match $140 for Tower Racing charities. Go Tower!
Very happy with the results. However, someday, I wish it were me at the altar.
Other Masters races that I am aware of:
BRB placed 1st on Monday, 3rd on Saturday riding with the old big dawgs. (55+ Cat 1/2/3/4) Way to go Bob! Very cunning that you signed in at 54 so the other 55+ would not target you, then later changed your age before they posted the results. ;-) Can you tell I am envious of your 1st place finish? Please let us bridesmaids know how it feels.
Mike Janius placed 4th overall in the Cat 5 including a 5th on Monday’s race.
Charlie had a wheel destroyed thank to some poor bike handling by a neighboring racer. He’s ok though.
Side note: the previous week, I placed 4th in the cat 4. Tower Racing charites will get $20 which my company will match.
-Xman
