At the Marty road race, Saturday, about 125 racers toughed it out for some spring classics-esque weather. In the morning, the rain was steady, in the afternoon, stiff winds blew it away.
I had the pleasure of officiating possibly the finest example of Junior's racing, witnessed in my career, at least. They cleanly executed tactics appropriately that I have seen experienced Cat 3s botch. The racing never once let up, and in the end, it took a fine balance of smarts, handling, and sheer athleticism to take home the day.
The race was split up into smaller groups, but even that didn't cool down the heat. I was impressed, usually when the field is less than 10, racers are resigned to a slow roll to a sprint finish. A couple small, precise attacks split the field in the first few miles. 4 riders in front, a couple in the middle, and then the field following it up. The course of the race involved a couple short, but intense bursts, putting riders just out of reach, only to be reeled in. Even still, it didn't turn into a TT, each rider for the most part found someone to work with.
Before and after the race, spirits were quite high. It was a fine show, a blend of sportsmanship, athleticism, and fun, safe riding. A fine day for the riders of the future of MN racing.
The course at Marty this year happened to incorporate one of my favorite race-deciders; A steep hill with a brisk tailwind. Paired together, they negate any kind of drafting advantage. From the riding perspective, it feels as if the protective curtain of the field around you has fallen. It is only you, and the overpowering urge to be the first to the top of the hill. If you break away here, you set yourself up for an almost rocket powered descent with the wind at your back. You must make it happen on the windward side, but if it works, the adrenaline of being the King (or Queen, but I'm writing from my perspective) of that mountain, will give you the fuel you need to continue your attack. The distance from this hill to the finish is close enough that you can make it stick, but far enough to make it hurt - The Great Decider.
Sunday was La Crosse. The weather was forecast to be a little better, but still with the threat of rain, and winds with gusts up to 29mph. It was to be my first race of the year. I wasn't ready, I'm still nowhere near in shape, and I hadn't been on a crit course in two years. Still, racing waits for no man.
I was feeling fine, I know my bike in and out (the advantage of being on the same road frame for 12 years), and I was warmed up. The only problem, which I wasn't even aware of until the race kicked off, was that I haven't been in a pack that large since I broke my arm. My fitness was good enough for the field I was in, but I just couldn't go around corners in a pack.
I was off the back before the second turn. What followed was an individual time trial against the entire field, with stiff headwinds and crosswinds. I had one rider on my wheel, a guy from WSU, a school I have now dubbed "Wheel Sucker University." He pulled for two very slow quarter laps. I dropped him a couple times when he couldn't handle a bit of a short turn of speed.
Of course my compatriot outsprinted me for the finish.
I wasn't really bothered by it at all, in terms of comparative experience levels, I was mostly just amused. I'm sure there was a time when I would do the same thing. It is, after all, bike racing. Another race under my belt, cleanly run, finished, did not crash, all the things you should hope for in a race with as much time off the bike as I've had. It did leave me invigorated for more, however.
Omnium Racing was well represented by
Caleb Donaldson and Seth Iverson
In the afternoon races, Caleb and seth put forward many strong attacks, several of which looked ready to stick. In the end, they put forward a very fine show of constant attacks, reeling in riders, and hiding in the pack to rest and do it all over again. I love crit racing.
