Sunday was my first race of the year. The Old Town Criterium was contested on a .8 mile, 10 corner crit and luckily there were no crashes and everyone was on their best behavior.  Even though there were 10 corners, the course was remarkably fluid and fast.  Like most people, I expected a break to happen, so I was on the lookout from the gun.  I was in the first 5 moves of the day, then became more selective with what I spent my energy.  I focused on the Successful Living team of Curtis Gunn and some other guy.  I knew nothing would get away without them, and knew Curtis was super-strong from the Shoot Out, so I tried to stick with him as opposed to the other guy I didn’t know.  I shadowed Curtis a couple times, and then I thought I got lucky by being good side of the road when his teammate went, so I went again.  As per the first 20 min of the race, nothing got to far, but you can tell what’s coming.  The next little move went with 4 guys including Gunn, and that was the day. 

It’s funny how you can tell when the winning break gets away, as soon as it’s gone.  I had worked hard to be in it, and I didn’t make it.  I had a second chance that I blew as well.  The Trek/Landis team worked for a few laps and brought the break within 10 seconds.  I was thinking this would be the time to jump, but I figured it would come back and I should just sit a few wheels deep and save some energy.  That window to jump was opened, and I didn’t take it.  Shortly thereafter, the elastic to the break finally broke, and the top 4 places were gone for good.

Some of us continued to work, try to get away, and make life interesting; but nothing stuck.  A prime was called with 6 laps to go, I sat in and rode the waves, and crossing the start/finish line I hit out on my own.  I threw down for about a lap before being brought into the fold.  I should have hit again a few laps later and taken my chances, but it seems everyone had their hearts set on a field sprint.

1 lap to go sitting 5^th wheel, ½ lap to go sitting 3^rd wheel, 4 corners to go sitting 15 wheel.  (see rant below).  Moved up on the back straight so coming out of the last corner I was 8^th and that’s where I stayed.  Didn’t pass anyone, and I wasn’t passed.  12^th overall on the day.  

Besides missing the obviously winning break, I was excited about the season’s first race.  Form felt good, I didn’t crash, and left excited about the next block of training and racing.  Valley of the Sun is next week with Pete and Stefano coming down.  I’m looking forward to meeting and racing with two new teammates.  Check out the list of registered riders  and keeps tabs on us at the Valley of the Sun right here at THFRACING.com

 RANT:  It always amazes me how people are perfectly content sitting in and rolling in circles, but then willing to stack up $5000 bikes for 5^th place and $20 bucks.  It’s the same scenario of “that guy” (every race has one) who goes for a $15 hair cut gift card and lays it all on the line.  $5000 bike, ER Co-pay, his health, every other racers bike/health, shop front windows from the corner he jumps to get a better apex out of the corner.  You get the point.  Nevertheless, that’s racing and I love it.