Cherry Pie Race Report

Race: Cherry Pie Crit
Date: 02/10/08
CAT: Pro 1/2
Field size: 100
Teammates: Peter

The course: Sort of a P-shaped course. The start/finish was on a mild hill and lead into a 180 degree turn. Then down the hill to a sharp right hand turn, followed by a sweeping left, then two 90-degree lefts into the 500 meter finish up the hill.

The Plan: Get some race legs and build comfort level for upcoming races. Huge contingent of pro riders including Freddy Rodriquez, who has raced in several Tour de Frances.

The Conditions: Warm and sunny and only mildly windy.

The Race: After talking to Peter and another teammate Kevin who didn’t race we figured that it was unlikely a break would get away, but if one did it would at least halfway through the race. We were dead wrong. I started out with decent field position of about 30^th. I planned on using the first couple laps to get a feel for the race and to see how my fitness was going to be. Unfortunately, on lap #2 a break of 9 guys went away and stayed away. The race was over after the 3^rd lap. I made my way to the front anyway and tried to motivate some chasers and/or to get another break going. Nothing worked, but I did get a good workout from it. With 5 to go I went off solo for a lap, but even averaging 400+ watts (30mph) I could hold off the group for more than one lap. On the last lap I got myself into decent position to sprint for 10^th, but the rider in front of me sat up so I did the same not wanting to try to sprint from 25^th back for a possible 15^th place finish.

Thoughts: My fitness is better than I expected and my comfort level in the race was really high. Overall it was a good first race, but I have to pay more attention to the front at the beginning of the race.

Results: 60th