|
|
Post by TC on Apr 6, 2008 19:51:29 GMT -5
The RR course was really great and super fun. Josh needs to get on here and post a race report fast, I can't wait to hear the story. I just reviewed the finish video Jen shot of the P,1,2 race and he crossed the line in a break for 6th today. I think the rest of the riders in the break were all pros. Really excellent racing. And, Saturday's P,1,2 crit was one of the most fun races to watch. I won't spoil the details, Josh can write it up. It was awesome, despite the deluge.
My races were not so great, but I met the goals of finishing and not crashing, which on Saturday was a miracle. Racing is hard, I can't till I have more time to dedicate to training, which is not far away at all. Going to the races is way better than watching them on TV. I'll see if I can't post some shots for the enjoyment of all.
|
|
|
|
Post by wcuracer on Apr 6, 2008 20:28:49 GMT -5
Good job Josh, 6th is excellent! KEEP IT UP!
|
|
|
|
Post by Josh Whitmore on Apr 7, 2008 11:12:16 GMT -5
Crit:
Pouring down rain kept some of the masses away, but most of the heavy hitters were still there, ready to be aggressive as ever. I started in the front and just tried to stay in the front group on the 6 turn course. The first time I crashed, a guy went down in front of me and forced me off the road. With one foot clipped in and sitting sideways on the top tube, I fell over at 5mph. Went to the pits, got my free lap and got back in.
I spent several laps getting back to the front, just in time to make it into the winning break of 8 people. We were a half lap ahead of the main group when I crashed for the second time, this time all my fault. Front wheel slid out trying to go to fast through the turn. Another free lap and some gracious officials put me back in the break. (officials were being very lenient with free laps)
We ended up lapping the field, when we got there, all crazyness broke out, and I was hurtin. In the end I finished 8th. ruined a pair of shorts and lost some skin, but otherwise body and bike are ok.
Road Race:
90miles wet roads and fog but no rain. A two person break was established early, Scottie Wies of Hincapie and a Time pro team rider. They got almost 5 mins on us as we went very slow, until the Inferno team (formerly Abercrombie) organized at the front and spent the next 50miles bringing them back (nice to see a team take charge!). Once caught, the fireworks flew, some small groups would get away then be brought back. After a long time of attacks and counter attacks, I ended up in a group of 9 that got a good gap quickly with about 12miles to go.
We worked together to increase the lead, each rotating through and sharing the work. With 5 miles to go, all cooperation was off and we started the in-fighting. 3 teams had 2 people, Inferno, Time, and Hincapie. I was very busy trying to answer many attacks. We were all together coming into the finish, each team leading each other out. My positioning wasn't great, but I sprinted the best I could for 6th.
Overall, a good weekend for me at a fairly big race. Now I just need to concentrate on growing new skin on my hip and elbow and then winning some races next weekend.
|
|
|
|
Post by wcuracer on Apr 7, 2008 11:37:06 GMT -5
Wow 2 wrecks in one race  ...exactly why I didn't go. At least you won money to pay for some band-aids ;D ...you definitely played the game smart both days. Yes your very lucky the officials put you back in the break usually you get put back into the field. I know how you feel sprinting for the best you could get. The crit in Salisbury was all pro's in front of me not much I could do except the best I could. Well an 8th and a 6th is one hell of an awesome weekend though! AWESOME JOB! |
|
|
|
Post by TC on Apr 7, 2008 13:11:11 GMT -5
Josh's race was the most fun race of the weekend to watch. The rain did not stop for the entire race. There were really no more crashes than any other crit I have seen, maybe because of the smaller field. These guys did not let the rain slow them down at all, and the up hill finish was a show every time around. When the field was lapped and consolidated, it was a madhouse. The pace car was having a time of it trying to stay ahead without going off the course. The only race of the day that did not have any crashes was the women's 1,2,3. My race had a crash on the second lap (corner of death) in the same place almost all of the other crashes happened. I decided to lay off after that, and I rode in with a few other guys after 12 laps on my own (It's lonely being weak and scared poopless). The course was a little intimidating with the puddles, and juniors at the starting line saying crashing was no big deal for them (they don't have to graduate in 3 weeks or work, who cares?).
Josh really gets the nod for most effort on the day. I wish I could describe what he looked like while racing, but you just had to be there to appreciate it. We had a couple of tents set up, and the BMW-Bianchi girls team, Inferno, and Josh of CTM warming up chatting was fun to experience. The Inferno guys were really nice, and fun to talk to about racing. Andy Applegate (Inferno) has more bicycle knowledge in his head than the Amazon has water.
|
|
|
|
Post by TC on Apr 8, 2008 15:44:57 GMT -5
Pics from the weekend. Sorry I rushed, so there are no captions. Sprints, crit, road race, BMW women, and Josh. Super fun weekend. Next up is the Low Country weekend in Charleston in two weeks. I can't wait. www.tonycamblor.com/rockhill/index.html |
|
|
|
Post by Jackson Amburn on Apr 8, 2008 15:54:09 GMT -5
Great photos. The female on her drop downs wearing the Bianchi kit is amazing. Good stuff.
|
|
...exactly why I didn't go. At least you won money to pay for some band-aids ;D ...you definitely played the game smart both days. Yes your very lucky the officials put you back in the break usually you get put back into the field. I know how you feel sprinting for the best you could get. The crit in Salisbury was all pro's in front of me not much I could do except the best I could. Well an 8th and a 6th is one hell of an awesome weekend though! AWESOME JOB!