Post by administrator on Jul 14, 2006 20:33:13 GMT -8
Well everyone, thought I would give you some juicy details on the racing here in Sonoma, CA at Infineon Raceway. Today is Friday, and both Kevin Bradford-Parrish and I have finished our XC races.
While I said I was going to win this race this year, it just wasn't to be. I lost the gold medal and the US Championship by only 10 seconds! I will say this, I have never fought so hard in a race. It was 4 laps of 9 miles each, and off the gun and up the first climb, I charged into first place. It was there I stayed for 3 of the 4 gruelling laps we had to race. Now, don't go thinking all was easy up there in the lead, it wasn't. I was contested for my first place position 5 times during the race, and each time (save for one, of course) I shut it down. I kept my lead until the last climb, about 6 minutes until the finish.
Let me tell you this, the course here has NO shade, no trees, and it was about 80-90 degrees on the course. My legs were ready to cramp at every pedal stroke on the last lap, so it was no easy feat holding off the guy that was charging on me most of that last lap. I managed to hold him off, though, by staying seated on the climbs (which is what cost me the win) and riding smart.
SO, I am a silver medalist.
Kevin did very well, he posted his best Pro result of the season, with a hard-fought 17th (?) Place.
I will be showing up back at the course tomorrow (Saturday) to do feed for Shawn, Liz, and Don Anderson as they each represent Spokane and Spokane Rocket Velo in the biggest race of the year!
Talk to you later, Mark Out
While I said I was going to win this race this year, it just wasn't to be. I lost the gold medal and the US Championship by only 10 seconds! I will say this, I have never fought so hard in a race. It was 4 laps of 9 miles each, and off the gun and up the first climb, I charged into first place. It was there I stayed for 3 of the 4 gruelling laps we had to race. Now, don't go thinking all was easy up there in the lead, it wasn't. I was contested for my first place position 5 times during the race, and each time (save for one, of course) I shut it down. I kept my lead until the last climb, about 6 minutes until the finish.
Let me tell you this, the course here has NO shade, no trees, and it was about 80-90 degrees on the course. My legs were ready to cramp at every pedal stroke on the last lap, so it was no easy feat holding off the guy that was charging on me most of that last lap. I managed to hold him off, though, by staying seated on the climbs (which is what cost me the win) and riding smart.
SO, I am a silver medalist.
Kevin did very well, he posted his best Pro result of the season, with a hard-fought 17th (?) Place.
I will be showing up back at the course tomorrow (Saturday) to do feed for Shawn, Liz, and Don Anderson as they each represent Spokane and Spokane Rocket Velo in the biggest race of the year!
Talk to you later, Mark Out
