Posted by Dan on 18. May 2010 06:50
This was my third trip to Fort Lee for the End of Summer/Sprint into Spring Crit. This year we were treated to a new course replacing the aging one on the opposite side of the post whose corners were getting a bit long in the tooth (and downright scary). This new one had a little something for everyone including a single 90 degree turn and a right-hand bend on an otherwise left-hand course. Frank and I arrived just shortly after a few riders in the Cat 5 field crashed on the back stretch and the women were just starting to tear it up. The sun was set to "hot" and the forecast 74 degrees turned into 87+.
We'd both registered for the 3/4 and 4 races, the thought being to use the former as a warm-up for the latter. We began our warm-up by riding around post for awhile as the women's Cat 3 field finished up. We lined up with 60 or so 3/4 riders somewhere in the middle - MUCH better than our usual "dead last" position. The pace ramped up leading into the first corner and never slacked off. While the field was a bit elastic, the frequent attacks from Carytown did a good job keeping us lean. For anything going off the front to stick, a decent sized group was critical and there wasn't enough organization (or ambition?) to get such a group so each attempt was promptly shut down. I think I may have tried to bridge up to a group of two at one point. As I accelerated from 10 wheels back, someone jumped right in front of me so I grabbed his wheel and held on. He made it, but our newly formed group of four was already doomed. After a few laps, it was becoming increasingly clear that I wanted to be on the inside come turn 3 of the bell lap, as far up as possible. The move up began with two to go and by the time we hit turn 3, I was about 20 back. The left side of the course opened up as everyone migrated right to catch the faster wheels. I had a clean shot to the line. Had I started out further up, I'd have finished better than 9th but it's one of my better crit finishes so I'm as pleased as punch. Frank did a great job protecting his position near the front the entire race. He appeared to be favoring the right side of the course so I think he was boxed in when we came barreling around that final turn. He finished up 26th. PowerTap says the average speed was 27.1 mph. Very quick.
After an hour and a half wait, we did a quick ride around post to warm-up for the Cat 4 race. It was pretty clear we rode too hard in the first race and/or didn't wear enough compression socks while we sat around in the AC between races. Being more familiar with the Cat 4 riders, we knew who to watch out for and that Carytown would again be the team wrecking havoc. For this start, I got my spot on the line and amazed myself by clipping in on the first try (a worn left cleat makes that an impressive feat these days). My joy manifested itself by sprinting off for the first corner and starting Race #2 alone. I was caught between turns 2 and 3. A few laps later, I passed by Frank and got on the front, then slowed the pace a few hundred mph. Frank took off like a rabbit while everyone watched him go. A couple riders went after Frank but were brought slowly brought back. Once they'd been assimilated, Frank was left to dangle off the front as the pace settled again. I sat around 5th wheel and wondered if I should go help him or wait for a chance to counter. We eventually brought him back and the attacks started to dwindle. Carytown made a few spirited attacks, but they were marked men and no one let them go as was Tim Pope of Fat Frogs who made a run for it. They grabbed him before he could get back in the saddle. After Frank's 2+ laps off the front, he was sure to be cooked and would be hanging on, securing a good position for the bunch sprint. I tried employing the same technique from the previous race - move to the inside and hammer up the left side. Once again, it worked very well but I started way too far back and could only come past a few. I would finish 21st while Frank took home a single BAR point as an award for 15th. This race a little slower (26.2) but didn't possess the same gravitas as the 3/4 race. Still counts as a pack finish of 30 or more.
Thanks to Sharon Leary, Fort Lee, Fort Lee MWR, Team Rostello p/b Fiorucci and all of the sponsors that made this event possible. It was clear a lot of effort went into making it a great race and we appreciate it.