Race Reports:
Spencer Erickson's report from the wild and wooly B's:
Well, now I know how
those guys in the Tour feel when they spend all day
working in a break only to be swallowed up by the pack right before
the
finish.
Tuesday's Boca edition was one of the most painful (and most fun)
I've
ridden. Before the race, I was chatting with fellow mountain goat
Tom
Michaud about the best place to try to get away in a break. We
decided to
make an attempt right after "the wall", and if we got caught we'd
try again
on the climb back from the dam or the last big pitch on the way in.
The race started out at a good clip, with a nervous energy in the
pack
since Michael "Master of Misery" Hernandez had announced a points
sprint in
the first 5 miles of the race. About 4 miles in we passed the
sprint
warning sign, and Steve Kauffman was immediately out of the saddle
trying
to get a gap. The big guy suffers from rock star notoriety, though
(due to
his domination in the Twilights this year), and 4 or 5 guys were
quickly on
his wheel. When Steve let up a bit (presumably to wait for the
final 100
meters to launch his sprint), I tried a counter-attack and,
amazingly, no
one followed. I got a good gap and rolled across the sprint line
unopposed.
The pack regrouped for the approach to the wall, and Tom and I
stayed near
the front to keep the pace high (didn't want the pack to be too
rested when
they hit the climb). On the wall, Tom jumped out to what looked
like a
commanding lead, but in the final 50 meters a Paco's rider and Tahoe
Rick
(don't know their full/real names) came around him. I rolled over
the top
fourth, and to my utter surprise and dismay Steve Kauffman was only
a few
bike lengths back in 5th or 6th, powering over the hill like a
locomotive.
On the descent to the first turn-around, Steve played sleigh driver
and got
the front 5 or 6 of us to start working together to make the break
stick.
At the turnaround we probably had a 10 second gap, and on the climb
to the
dam turn-off the break had 5 riders working well together -- Steve,
Tom,
Rick, Mystery Rider in blue, and myself. And then Steve lit it up
and
attacked right before the dam turn-off, charging up the hill. Tom
and I
decided to let him go, figuring there was still a lot of climbing
and a lot
of miles left and we'd catch him when he cracked. Blue jersey
closed the
gap up to Steve, and Tom, Rick, and I were left powering the second
break.
Across the dam, over a few rollers to the second turn-around, and
back over
the dam Steve and Blue jersey increased their advantage on us to 45
seconds, and I started to get worried. All the way back in, the 3
of us
worked hard trading pulls to try to bridge back up to the front 2,
but the
gap stayed at 40 seconds. And then, 1.5 miles from the finish,
after
working in the break for 15 miles, the pack caught us and all our
hard work
was for nothing. Oh, the agony and heartbreak! The pace picked up
again,
and the pack even started to close the gap on Steve and Blue
jersey. With
a half mile to go, their advantage was reduced to about 15 seconds,
but
they were not to be caught. Tom, Rick, and I found ourselves still
at the
front, still driving to catch the break, but the pack riders started
setting up for the sprint, everyone trying to find a wheel to suck
to
conserve energy. At a quarter mile out, the sprint started, and I
grabbed
the first wheel that went by, desperately trying to pull out a 4th
or 5th
place finish. But the break had sucked too much from my legs, and
when the
finish line came into sight I felt like a grandma driving to church
on
Sunday, with racers passing me on all sides and sprinting across the
line.
An anonymous finish at the end, but what a great race! I'm still a
little
in awe at the display of power that Steve "can't climb and not so
tough"
Kauffman put down on the course, and he deservedly took first at the
line.
Blue jersey held the pack off for second, but I'm not sure how the
pack
sprint finished out.
Can't wait to do it again in 3 weeks!
Spencer Ericksen
And from your
promoter:
Howdy all.
Jenny and I are just a couple short hours away from stepping in to
that glorious tin beast that will send us shooting across the skies
towards Lance, Jan, and all those cheese-eating-surrender-monkies
who host the best sporting event in the world. But, before we bid au
revoir, here's the latest:
Boca Results are up on the website, www.renowheelmen.org. Also
updated are the Overall Standings in all categories and
competitions...it looks fantastic. This is the part of the season
when only the hardy have survived and the REAL racing begins. There
is no hiding now, it's just slugfests from this point out, only
those who are either coming in to form with a late start to the
season or those who are leading categories and are riding on guts
for glory. I hate missing any of the action for the next couple
weeks, but the Tour is calling!
So, you'll notice that the next Boca race is the first of 3
"Twilight Championship Events." What are they, well...I'll have
details up on the website as soon as I'm done typing this email. In
a nutshell, these three events are for the big-pressure, 1-day
classics of the season. In each discipline (RR, Crit, & TT) there
will be chances for riders to lay claim to the 1 day crown. This is
a bit of glory for those riders who can't make it to all of the
Twilight Events and challenge for the overall crowns...but, still
want to prove that they've got the good stuff.
Will you win special prizes for each of these events? Yes...very
chi-chi prizes that will be awarded at the final twilight event of
the season, the August 26th Air Center Crit...that event will be
AWESOME! So, don't miss it and invite all the friends and family you
can...expect season ending fireworks, indeed!
OK, so look for details on the website about the 1-day championships
soon. And so, let me tap out a few words of commentary about the
latest edition of Boca suffering:
Firstly, got to apologize to all riders for my horrible driving
skills. I really feel bad about passing the groups getting out on
the course...sorry ya'll. That's why I ride a bike. That said, there
are 2 items that I will be very strict about in all future races:
consider this a final warning -
1) yellow line violations - there were 2 very serious yellow line
violations that I saw at Boca Tuesday. Since I stupidly did not
explicitly warn riders before the race about this rule, I felt I
hadn't a leg to stand on to enforce any penalties - however, hear
(or read) this now and spread the word: if there are any future
yellow line violations I will immediately disqualify the riders
doing it. I'm not talking about getting accidentally pushed over the
line here, I'm talking about sprinting or passing around the group
by flagrantly going over into the oncoming lane of traffic. Please
don't do it and if you do, you will be immediately disqualified.
Last warning about this and the riders who did it at Boca know I'm
talking to you.
2) riding around before and after the race: PLEASE respect traffic
and ride as far to the right side of the road. I have woman hounding
me about a few riders getting in her way at Boca. She very well may
show up next race at Boca and TRY to find a reason to call the cops
on us. OK? So, if you hear a car..get the hell out of the way! Don't
give any fingers or four letter words to anyone in a car...they
honestly believe they own the road...so, get out of their way and be
nice about it. Please! Boca is our only remaining road race course,
if we lose it...it's riding around in circles every week.
OK - race report:
Well, it looks as though Mike Damon, VDA, and Paul Gossi are the
only riders thus far to attend every event this year...right on
fellas! That's a lot of racing in the legs.
Tuesday was a very aggressive race in all categories. The C category
is getting more competitive every event...and it's a series that I
would encourage anyone to race in. This week saw the Wheelmen
Junior-supra-squadra vs Richard Bulis and Rob Selby. This elite
group of 5 separated itself off after the 2 big climbs on the way
out...with Bill Nagel and and John Marshall giving fierce chase.
After the KOM, Kyle 'the style' Smith decided that he had the stuff
and took off solo. Bulis and Selby would give hearty chase, but the
juniors Little and Sowle marked them well. On a particularly
gruelling climb on the way back, I passed Bulis in full cry, buried
full tilt trying to shake off the chasers with brute strength. His
effort would close the gap to Smith to a scant few seconds, but Kyle
would throw in a valiant acceleration and get back his lead. It was
a close battle all the way to the finish, but Smith would stick it
out for a beautiful victory. Bulis would surge one time too many for
his competitors and ride in for a work-man's 2nd place, in the
process securing his lead in the C Sprint Competition and closing in
on Nate Sowle for the overall lead in the C division...hotly
contested and will go to the wire!
In the sprint for 3rd, it looked like Joseph Little had timed it to
perfection with a wicked punch of the pedals, but he came unclipped
just at the wrong time, allowing his competitors to react and
accelerate away from him. He would recover well and challenge for
the spots, but it would be strong-man, Nate Sowle showing he can
sprint by taking 3rd, just a tire-length in front of the tough
Selby.
The women would be won by new-comer Amber Monforte, followed by
Jenny Frayer. Brandy Klobuchar would pull out a particularly nasty
sprint finish to pull away from her competitors for 3rd. With Kathy
Casey scoring enough points to maintain her lead in the
division...amazing since it's her first year racing!!!
Cherry Rensch would place 4th and forget to come to the promoter and
get her prize money from the twilight.
The B's...well, I think Spencer summed it up - brutal and more
brutal. After seeing Spence take the sprint and finish well in the
KOM, I thought this might be his day to stomp on some B booty. But,
an extremely well timed move by Kish and Kauffman would end these
thoughts. The KK duo was completely committed to their attack. When
I saw them head out to the dam, I knew it would take a super-human
effort from the chase group to bring them back. No way.
They would drive hard and it would be a wicked surge from Kauffman
300 meters to the line that would secure him his first Boca victory.
Excellent - but, not enough to give him the lead in the B division.
That honor goes to Shawn Pearson...and it looks to be another
fantastic battle to the wire for the top honors in another division.
In the A's, it was all about who could stick with Jeff A as he got
his workout in. Well, it was Dustin Sweet not only sticking with,
but doing a little dropping of as he soloed away for the KOM points,
taking a strangle hold on that competition. Ed Froeliger took the
Hot Spot sprint with a very aggressive attack 1k out, showing
improving speed and power. Paul Gossi would score enough points to
retain his lead in the A division, a scant 7 points ahead of the
incorrigible VDA.
OK, I wish I could write more, but I've got to get ready to leave.
I'll see everyone at the 22nd Boca RR...where we'll crown the 1-Day
Road Race Champions.
till then,
m
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