Thursday, January 8, 2009

Cross Season Close Out

This past weekend I closed out my cyclocross season with a double shot of racing.

Saturday





The Sacramento series final was held on Saturday on a cold and blustery day at Sutters Landing an area of some historical significance. One half of the course was a straight section of gravel while the other half was fun single track with some sharp run-ups.

All the As started together which made for some mayhem on the first lap in the single-track section. It was a slow first lap as I waited for some open sections of course to move up. By lap 2 I was in the clear and moved up steadily along with a Davis rider. With 3 laps to go Davis and I had latched onto a group of 4, however at the start of the single-track section I bobbled and a gap formed. By the next lap the group had split at it was all I go do to hang onto the rider right in front. I rolled in to finish 8th in the combined group of 30, 3rd in my class (35+). Not a particularly inspirational race but fun nonetheless and a good result.

Sunday





Sunday brought my first race of the season in the Santa Cruz area at the always exciting Santa Cruz fairgrounds. The conditions and race course did not disappoint as the recent rains made for a challenging and fun course. I got off to an excellent and fast start in a good size and very deep 45+ A field. Unfortunately a series of bobbles on lap 1 set me back into the field.



However I was going very well and I steadily work my way back up. With 3 laps to go I had caught up to a group of 2 that had been setting pace together for most the race, unfortunately a 35+ rider missed the steep ride up just ahead of me and cost me the chance to bridge on that lap. With 2 to go I again caught up to the 2 riders just before the steep ride up but again just as we caught a 35+ rider. It was Deja Vu as again that rider bobbled ahead of me costing me the chance to catch them for good ! Surely I should have seen that coming and backed off a bit.



I stormed across the line to finish 9th out of 24 for one of my better efforts of the season. Great to finish it on a high note.