Witches Cup
Posted: Wed Aug 07, 2013 11:35 pm
Rolled up to the witches cup with Stefan since we work like 300 meters from each other and now it's an annual "thing". Got there plenty early, surveyed the newly (and nicely) resurfaced roadway, and talked about the usual pre race routine and strategy stuff. Met up with Todd S and 2 of our newer Juniors Nolan and Patrick during warmup and course inspection. Jeremy who got there a little late but figured why get in a good warmup cause crits never start fast, right? Lined up with 85 guys (it was a sold out 3/4 category but field limits were reduced from last year after a couple big pileups). Where's Jacob? He's pre reged and we had a whole conversation about this race on Sunday at wells. Hmmm.
On to the race -- relatively tame start, the usual sketchiness and surge/slow thing going on. Halfway through the race I look to my right and -- is that -- Jacob??? Sweet, we're all here. I've seen Jacob riding and racing really well this summer so I knew he'd be a great asset for the team. Fast forwarding past a few failed breaks and a few pavement samplings we get Richard fries on the mic saying 7 to go! That was quick... Laps are around a minute so time to start thinking about positioning and finishing strategy. One problem was a reasonably dangerous break of 2 ( or was it 3? Oh the fog...) up the road. With 4 laps to go Jeremy rolls to the front and orchestrates a chase and leads by example while pulling the field for a lap. Break caught, nicely done JC. With 2 to go I'm top 10 and Jacob is right in front of me. The front guys are dying off as the pace picks up been then the dreaded slowdown occurs. We all know what happens next -- swarmville. Thankfully Jacob took matters in to his own hands and re-strung it out for the lap and when he was done we were close enough to the finish (1 minute lap) that the pace stayed high till the end. PERFECT timing by Jacob to burn those matches to keep the pace high. Last lap, I purposely drift back to fifth wheel or so, we're hammering down the back stretch and we rail the second to last corner. At the exit, Mike Wissell attacks hard and I and one other guy (Ken Thoman of RSC) react and come around on to mikes wheel with a string behind us. The acceleration to get on mikes wheel gave me a head of steam which carried me past Ken, but I didn't really want to be there with still 250meters and a corner left, so I eased up to try to slot back in behind Ken, but just then I realized that both Mike and Ken were easing also. I thought now or never and attacked hard into the final corner, took it way too fast and almost ended up in the curb, then opened up for the last 150meters or so. With 50 to go the eventual 2nd place finisher came out of my draft and around me, so I poured everything I had down and a bike throw later I got him by a whisker at the line. 1st place, and for anyone keeping track yes it's my first win ever on a road bike. For our troubles I walked away with 100 bucks and a totally cheesy (and in my opinion, awesome) trophy. Ice cream for everyone at the Salem Screamery. Great teamwork and a great night, including the yummiest root beer float I've had in a while....
On to the race -- relatively tame start, the usual sketchiness and surge/slow thing going on. Halfway through the race I look to my right and -- is that -- Jacob??? Sweet, we're all here. I've seen Jacob riding and racing really well this summer so I knew he'd be a great asset for the team. Fast forwarding past a few failed breaks and a few pavement samplings we get Richard fries on the mic saying 7 to go! That was quick... Laps are around a minute so time to start thinking about positioning and finishing strategy. One problem was a reasonably dangerous break of 2 ( or was it 3? Oh the fog...) up the road. With 4 laps to go Jeremy rolls to the front and orchestrates a chase and leads by example while pulling the field for a lap. Break caught, nicely done JC. With 2 to go I'm top 10 and Jacob is right in front of me. The front guys are dying off as the pace picks up been then the dreaded slowdown occurs. We all know what happens next -- swarmville. Thankfully Jacob took matters in to his own hands and re-strung it out for the lap and when he was done we were close enough to the finish (1 minute lap) that the pace stayed high till the end. PERFECT timing by Jacob to burn those matches to keep the pace high. Last lap, I purposely drift back to fifth wheel or so, we're hammering down the back stretch and we rail the second to last corner. At the exit, Mike Wissell attacks hard and I and one other guy (Ken Thoman of RSC) react and come around on to mikes wheel with a string behind us. The acceleration to get on mikes wheel gave me a head of steam which carried me past Ken, but I didn't really want to be there with still 250meters and a corner left, so I eased up to try to slot back in behind Ken, but just then I realized that both Mike and Ken were easing also. I thought now or never and attacked hard into the final corner, took it way too fast and almost ended up in the curb, then opened up for the last 150meters or so. With 50 to go the eventual 2nd place finisher came out of my draft and around me, so I poured everything I had down and a bike throw later I got him by a whisker at the line. 1st place, and for anyone keeping track yes it's my first win ever on a road bike. For our troubles I walked away with 100 bucks and a totally cheesy (and in my opinion, awesome) trophy. Ice cream for everyone at the Salem Screamery. Great teamwork and a great night, including the yummiest root beer float I've had in a while....