Men’s CAT 3 Race: by Kurt Haas
First off let me start with a big kudos to the Willamette University Cycling team for putting on the race. It was really nice to be able to race right here in Salem. I was able to warm up on my trainer in the garage and roll over to the race right before it started. You don’t get to do that very often.
In the race it was great to see a large number of us in the Cat 3 field sporting the Cap Velo colors. The bummer was that for the second weekend in a row our team missed the winning break du jor. After the first prime sprint 2 riders went clear of the field and that was that. I tried once to bridge really hard, while Mike and the rest of the crew patrolled the field but was not able to make any ground. A few of us tried with a little less effort later to bridge, but it was now clear that we were going to have a field sprint for 3rd place. The race continued with a few more hard efforts by different riders but nothing was going to get any ground on what was left of the field. With 5 laps to go they announced a field prime for us and I heard blah, blah, blah $$$$$$$$$$. I figured what the heck, might as well try to make some money. One rider attacked early on turn 3 and then another took after chasing him out of turn 4. I went on his wheel, he opened a gap on me but I was still hanging in there, we passed the early attack and then I started to close on the rider in front of me. I missed the prime by less than a foot (huge bummer). At this point it was time to recover and get ready for the field sprint (for 3rd). We came out of the last corner when the sprint took off in earnest. I was on Mike’s wheel coming out of the corner and sprinted up the inside lane when everyone else seemed to be heading outside. I was able to pick off a few riders and took 7th overall and 5th in the field sprint. Overall I was happy with how I felt in the race, just a little ticked that we keep missing the breaks. Next time.
Mens CAT 4/5 Race: by Matt Jones
As for my race I had a bad day. But it was also my Jennie’s, my daughter, first bike race so that part was awesome! The juniors raced just before us, so instead of warming up prior to my race I was taking pictures and rooting for Jen. I probably should of at least had some warmer cloths on! I got one warm up lap before the Cat 4/5 race lined up, not nearly enough. As we were listening to instructions on the line the rain started to fall, then flat opened up with an icy cold downpour. This was my first crit and I was anxious about the corners and I let myself slip towards the back of the pack. when we rounded corner #2 the headwind was brutal. I managed to stay on the tail of the pack until lap seven and then the gap opened up a bit further unitl they yanked me on lap ten. I got to watch the remainder of the race from the first corner and on the bell lap saw the big pileup on Waverly, one nasty crash! I expected a DNF but OBRA results say I finished 28th out of 33. Next time I’ll take the time to properly warm up, and remember to bring my riding glasses and leg warmers!
Photo Links
Tim Elhers – http://www.timehlers.com/share/9N16l6FGfiYLo
Tim Antone – http://www.flickr.com/photos/cvrc/sets/72157623690224015/
Leonard Johnson – http://leonardjohnson.zenfolio.com/p14967963
