Snowball Crit #2

Posted by Dan on 9. March 2009 07:34

Paris-Nice kicked off today with a 9.3km time trial in Amilly. Here in Hampton Roads, we capped off the two-race Snowball Crit series on what could be the best weather for a bike race period. Temperatures started out in the low 70s and worked their way up to 82 degrees. Winds were from the west at about 10-15 - right down the home stretch (again).

Today's race setup was pretty easy for the Team Fitness Together guys, consisting of me, Wick and Mike. Tim is "out of town" and Steve fell ill, succumbing to the flu. The VBV guys have got this thing down to a science and needed very little help.

The C race (Cat 5/Women/Juniors) started at 12:30. While the first group put in their 22 laps, Wick, Mike and I left the Sportsplex and warmed up on the surrounding roads. We were drawn back by the sound of sirens and a caravan of Virginia Beach's finest Fire and Rescue volunteers. An ambulance, fire truck and squad car were all called to the course for a fairly bad crash about 500 meters from the finish line. No word on who was involved or what their status is. Another smaller crash went virtually unnoticed. Apparently the participants in that one were up and back on the track using their free lap.

The B race (arguably the best race) suffered zero crashes. Not that we didn't WANT to crash, but both Bill C. and Gerald made it clear they had only one accident form left and crashing was not permitted. Today's pace was around 24 mph. The pack stayed together save the occassional unsuccessful breakaway. i found myself in one with one other rider. Apparently neither of us felt it was worth the effort to try and defend our several second lead.

Mike did very well, staying in the front third of the pack for nearly the entire race. Near the end, he was pushed to the back as the pace picked up on the last 5 and everyone started getting a bit anxious. I saw one rider touch Mike's wheel. Fortunately, he (the other ridrer) managed to keep himself upright and Mike never seemed to notice. He was 'in the zone.'

Wick raced in Richmond yesterday but still managed to hunker down mid-pack and await his time. Somewhere around 8 to go he took off the front. The pack was starting to foam at the mouth with the upcoming sprint finish that they quickly captured him. He held on for most of the remaining laps but let go of the main field just prior to the sprint finish.

My race was much like the above two - I drifted from the front third to the back third and then worked my way up to do it again. There was one breakaway but not much else. I found myself near the front for the final sprint, then got boxed in by two slower riders. I made it around the guy on the right and made for the line to finish 10th overall. I'll take it.

The A race was also somewhat unremarkable. There was a breakaway of about 8 riders that eventually lapped the main field. A few of the them set out to make it two laps, but I think they eventually finished in a bunch sprint too.

Next race will be the Sleepy Hole Smackdown next Saturday with the Dismal Dash Time Trial on Sunday.

Pictures have been posted here. Thank you, Lydia!