Race report numero uno

Merco Crit

Cat’s 3 and 4 women

Teammates: Cathy, Ashley, Mo, Bergen, Bev, Jamie,

Weather – overcast but dry

25 lap race.

Going in we had the idea that we would drill the first 3 laps – trying to make it safe for everyone. Then perhaps go for the second prime, or perhaps counter attack the second prime. There were lots of strong girls, Hopkins Honda, Sugar/CRM, Dolce, so we didn’t need to do all the work at the front. I split the race into 3 parts in my head – the beginning where I wanted to practice skills of only moving up through the pack, learning to do this safely and comfortably. Then I wanted to maintain around 15^th wheel in the middle to observe who was up front. And the last 5, I wanted to make sure the mouse train got rolling and delivered me or another mouse to victory!

Just after finishing the first lap, I heard someone in front of me flat. I said “someone has a flat” – and saw it was me! I didn’t quite know how to get back to the pit – but you can get off and run back to the pit with a flat. Changed into a neutral (zipp) wheel and off again I went!

I feel that I did GREAT with my skills in the pack – my skills are so much better than before, thanks to working in the Early Birds, riding with the Cat 4 boys, and also I think the track fights helped! I fought and won most of the wheels I wanted, took GREAT corners and was complimented by others in the pack for getting the other ladies to take the corners wide and fast.

What I know we need to work on is finding each other in the pack and practice riding near each other in a sustained way… our communication broke down and with 5 to go, we all found our way to the front, thanks to Mo and Ashley for moving me up there! Somehow not everyone was there when we needed to be. A few more races and we’ll perfect that train, I believe it!

With 5 to go, we had two dolces, Bev, the winner, and one or two others up there. I sat on Bev’s wheel with 4 to go and we were being uncontested so far. 3 to go and I felt the pack was inching up on us. 2 to go and I asked the girls to step on the gas if they wanted to win. I was 3^rd wheel feeling the pack breathing down my neck, expecting a surge at any minute. But with the technicality of the course, the first 5 of us would escape the chicane with speed and everyone else had to slow, which prevented an all out assault on us.. with the last lap I said “turn it on” and turn it on they did. As we rounded the last corner I kept thinking “wait for it…” and I waited too long. Bev led me out and narrowly missed first – I never came around her.  A newbie mistake – obviously I’ve practiced sprint fitness, but not the actual ‘when to go’. Always more to learn!

Place 3 in the ¾, 2^nd in the 3s.

First Race back  - post arm surgery. Very happy with the fitness and tactics.