O'Fallon Grand Prix:
Ok, so first was the O'Fallon, IL road race on May 31st. I was feeling good that day and so, on first hill of the race I was on the front of the pack and really pushed the pace up the hill to break up the group. All of the Team Rev Dev racers stuck with me and we organized and got an pace line going to share the work and stay away. Good work as a team. Then, when Teresa went for the sprint line, she broke up the pack some more. There were about 7 of us after that in the lead pack. Then at about 5 miles to go, Natalie (Dogfish) attacked and I went w/ her. Me, Teresa, and Allison stuck on her wheel. Then, one unattached girl bridged and joined us. The last hill was tough. Allison stuck to Natale's wheel and me on hers. Allison kind of died after the hill and so I grabbed Natale's wheel and stuck until the 200 meter sign and then sprinted around her. She had lead me out without even knowing it. Great sprint finish! Got 1st! Allsion 2nd, Natale 3rd, Teresa 5th. We had raced all but about the last 5 miles as a team, it was a great race. All Team Rev women did an awesome job!
Winghaven circuit race:
The womens 4's did 4 laps on 2.65mi circuit course. Very moderate pace most of the race. No attacks at all. Very windy day, so attacks could be risky. On the last lap I attacked right before the start/finish and made a nice gap on the field (with Teresa's help by getting on front and slowing down the field). Worked very hard for 1/2 a lap on my own and a group of 4 caught me on the back side of the course on the service road. Sat in until the final round about and then attacked the corner and hill with all I had. Very close sprint with 2nd place, but I got it! CBC got 2nd, and Teresa got 3rd. I was glad I pushed myself and tested my limits. I was surprised at how much I had left after such a hard effort and a short recovery before the sprint! Getting stronger every race!
Side note: I also did the Womens Open, but only completed 5 of the 9 laps. MUCH harder pace. Lots of attacks and counter attacks. Stayed w/ pack for 2.5 laps before getting dropped. Worked with another woman for 1.5-2 laps and then she dropped me. I DNF'ed as I was out of water and smoked from racing before that. Good learning experience though. The pack dynamics in the open field is MUCH different!
Webster Groves Crit:
We found out at the start line that there was not going to be a staggered start for the Women's 4's from the Womens Open field - suddenly we were all racing an Open race. So, my strategy had to change in a matter of 10 seconds. My goal was going to be to stay w/ the attacks and surges and be in a good position for the final sprint. I was hoping that not many 4's would be left by the end, but since very few W 1/2/3 racers were willing to work on the front, the pace slowed dramatically between surges and some Cat 4 kept jumping back into the mix. I was happy that I was able to stay w/ the open group through all of the surges, I was feeling strong and could have won the race, but went into the final corner in a bad position and on the wrong wheel and ended up in 2nd, and 5th overall. There was only about 100 meters after the final corner to the start/finish, so you HAVE to be in a good position in this race. I learned a valuable positioning lesson, should have been where I wanted to be at the start of the last lap, or even with 2 to go...
Overall its been a great month of racing and Im excited to have done so well. Everyone keeps asking me when I want to Cat up, but that is a BIG jump and Im not sure Im really ready yet. It is not something I want to rush. Im sure I will at the start of next season, but Im not sure it is a good idea before then.
