july 6, 2009
have done 3 races in the past week or so. felt good and the results show it. first was the tour of flanders tt on 6/28. this was a difficult course with a climb in the first 2 miles. grades on the climb got up to 18% which was nice. even though i know i picked up time there i didnt go out hard enough in fear of blowing up. this may have cost me in the end. finished 7th one second behind nick which angered me. did finish in front of 10 or so cat 3 riders. it was great we were both in the top 10 and expecially ahead of a rider alex was in competition with for the tt cup. overall im satisfied and i feel like my tt ability is getting better.
then on wednesday 7/1 did the frenchtown route 29 tt. this was a 10 mile course that was a straight show down 29. is advertised as flat but is much like chatsworth being false flats. after not going out hard enough at flanders i knew i had to make up for it and shot out of the start. barely into the tt i was going crazy. breath was heavy and fast paced and even thought about stopping but i went on. ended up taking my category (even though it was only me and one other rider) but overall finished well. 17th out of 46 riders and in front of some cat 3 riders. this course was great and i felt great knowing i went all out. after the race rode back with alex and toby hanna who is a tt animal. drank from a natural spring which was cool.
then on the 4th was the hearthouse grandprix. this was my first crit being a cat4. the race was a cat4/5 but i still felt it was something new. alex and i did this race and it was great. stayed protected for the most part then moved up about halfway through after realizing i was on the small ring the whole beginning! alex was a madman. he was at the front for the whole race working. with 7 laps to go a 2 man break went and stayed away for a while. alex took the lead and shot out to draw them in. when he went, we rubbed wheels which was a nervous moment but lead to nothing and everyone stayed up. apparently the rider behind me rubbed my wheel but i didnt feel it. with less than 2 laps to go a rider whos team mate was infront in the break tried to block and alex went crazy. i followed his lead and we came around in the final lap. after the last turn i started to churn up and began to make an error by sprinting alone into the wind. but within a second maybe less i tucked back behind another rider and allowed him to lead me out. i shot around him when ready and blasted by 5 or 6 other riders to take second by only half a wheel! i was pumped and felt mad! alex and i were excited since 'the plan' finally worked. we are going to be a force soon.
reconed the freehold tt course after that but felt weak. then did a relaxing 30 miles with alex yesterday so today i have off.
now getting ready for the giro del cielo, a 2 stage race with 3 stages. going out to the tt course tomorrow to recon it. will see how it goes. i feel strong.
then on wednesday 7/1 did the frenchtown route 29 tt. this was a 10 mile course that was a straight show down 29. is advertised as flat but is much like chatsworth being false flats. after not going out hard enough at flanders i knew i had to make up for it and shot out of the start. barely into the tt i was going crazy. breath was heavy and fast paced and even thought about stopping but i went on. ended up taking my category (even though it was only me and one other rider) but overall finished well. 17th out of 46 riders and in front of some cat 3 riders. this course was great and i felt great knowing i went all out. after the race rode back with alex and toby hanna who is a tt animal. drank from a natural spring which was cool.
then on the 4th was the hearthouse grandprix. this was my first crit being a cat4. the race was a cat4/5 but i still felt it was something new. alex and i did this race and it was great. stayed protected for the most part then moved up about halfway through after realizing i was on the small ring the whole beginning! alex was a madman. he was at the front for the whole race working. with 7 laps to go a 2 man break went and stayed away for a while. alex took the lead and shot out to draw them in. when he went, we rubbed wheels which was a nervous moment but lead to nothing and everyone stayed up. apparently the rider behind me rubbed my wheel but i didnt feel it. with less than 2 laps to go a rider whos team mate was infront in the break tried to block and alex went crazy. i followed his lead and we came around in the final lap. after the last turn i started to churn up and began to make an error by sprinting alone into the wind. but within a second maybe less i tucked back behind another rider and allowed him to lead me out. i shot around him when ready and blasted by 5 or 6 other riders to take second by only half a wheel! i was pumped and felt mad! alex and i were excited since 'the plan' finally worked. we are going to be a force soon.
reconed the freehold tt course after that but felt weak. then did a relaxing 30 miles with alex yesterday so today i have off.
now getting ready for the giro del cielo, a 2 stage race with 3 stages. going out to the tt course tomorrow to recon it. will see how it goes. i feel strong.
posted by Paul at 8:34 AM
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