Race Report (13.05.09)
Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 9:21 pm
Newton Heights race report.
Wonderful news everyone. We won! Well, Roland won, but now that he’s in the tribe it’s OK to report that WE won. What a difference a year makes - the whole point to racing in 2008 was to overtake Roland in the standings. I should thank the organizers (Geoff Pendral et al.) right away. It was not a nice evening to race and an even worse evening to run the event. Cold and very wet.
No accidents, but that doesn’t mean it was slow. There were 10 B racers, two A’s and two women. The perfect night to run around at a reasonable pace and then make something of it on the last few laps. But no. Everyone started together (A’s, B’s, and women) and the pace was quick from the get-go. A small group can be dangerous. If a few get away, the remaining small group might have a hard time catching them. So, we all had to respond to this rapid start.
I stayed near the front because I didn't want Casey-musician to get away (and he rode at the front), so I wasn’t able to get a reporter-like perspective on the event. But I can say that Gavin-the-man (rode there and rode home in the rain) ran at the front for a lap or two early on and was still there for the final sprint. He’ll be winning before long. Megan lead the pack for a lap here and a lap there all through the race – she was the most aggressive rider this evening. Roland was running a very strategic race. He said he didn't waste any energy and that was clear from his final sprint. Again, well done Roland. Dave and Peter were there too. Yes, five of the ten B racers were with Triple Shot Cycling – I haven’t seen the data, but it should have been a good night for points. Dave and Peter have got to get walkie-talkies so they can organize their chase group – Hmmmm. Triple shot race radios. A must for the Ireland stage race, and then we’ll use them to add a Pro-feel to the VCL in 2010.
We raced for 10 laps. I led the group across the line on the bell lap and then through the downhill and false-flat to the base of the last climb. I was still ahead (or running with a few beside me) as we rounded the corner for the uphill sprint. Tim Nason (a regular B racer) jumped the group. It was a winning move. Tragically, he had some kind of malfunction and was left standing about 20m from the line (I don't think he's ever won). Roland had made the second move. Another clean break and, as it turned out, the real winning move. Two others passed me and I thought I had fourth. But who should suddenly appear on my left shoulder? Casey Ryder. I tried, and I hope the photos show it was close. It felt close. But fifth is what I got. The only bright side is that it might be enough to move me into first overall. If it is, I’m going to enjoy it while it lasts (because it won’t for long). Like one of those guys no one remembers who wears the yellow jersey for a day because something just happened to go his way. That’ll be me.
Everyone else scored points too. Not bad, especially considering one of us left his dinner on the side of the road!
JT
Wonderful news everyone. We won! Well, Roland won, but now that he’s in the tribe it’s OK to report that WE won. What a difference a year makes - the whole point to racing in 2008 was to overtake Roland in the standings. I should thank the organizers (Geoff Pendral et al.) right away. It was not a nice evening to race and an even worse evening to run the event. Cold and very wet.
No accidents, but that doesn’t mean it was slow. There were 10 B racers, two A’s and two women. The perfect night to run around at a reasonable pace and then make something of it on the last few laps. But no. Everyone started together (A’s, B’s, and women) and the pace was quick from the get-go. A small group can be dangerous. If a few get away, the remaining small group might have a hard time catching them. So, we all had to respond to this rapid start.
I stayed near the front because I didn't want Casey-musician to get away (and he rode at the front), so I wasn’t able to get a reporter-like perspective on the event. But I can say that Gavin-the-man (rode there and rode home in the rain) ran at the front for a lap or two early on and was still there for the final sprint. He’ll be winning before long. Megan lead the pack for a lap here and a lap there all through the race – she was the most aggressive rider this evening. Roland was running a very strategic race. He said he didn't waste any energy and that was clear from his final sprint. Again, well done Roland. Dave and Peter were there too. Yes, five of the ten B racers were with Triple Shot Cycling – I haven’t seen the data, but it should have been a good night for points. Dave and Peter have got to get walkie-talkies so they can organize their chase group – Hmmmm. Triple shot race radios. A must for the Ireland stage race, and then we’ll use them to add a Pro-feel to the VCL in 2010.
We raced for 10 laps. I led the group across the line on the bell lap and then through the downhill and false-flat to the base of the last climb. I was still ahead (or running with a few beside me) as we rounded the corner for the uphill sprint. Tim Nason (a regular B racer) jumped the group. It was a winning move. Tragically, he had some kind of malfunction and was left standing about 20m from the line (I don't think he's ever won). Roland had made the second move. Another clean break and, as it turned out, the real winning move. Two others passed me and I thought I had fourth. But who should suddenly appear on my left shoulder? Casey Ryder. I tried, and I hope the photos show it was close. It felt close. But fifth is what I got. The only bright side is that it might be enough to move me into first overall. If it is, I’m going to enjoy it while it lasts (because it won’t for long). Like one of those guys no one remembers who wears the yellow jersey for a day because something just happened to go his way. That’ll be me.
Everyone else scored points too. Not bad, especially considering one of us left his dinner on the side of the road!
JT
