First off, I’d like to thank our sponsor, Sealline. Their waterproof bags are essential for spring racing in the NW. Check them out: http://www.seallinegear.com
Westside Omnium Results
Glennwood Road Race
Michael - 6th
Danny - 11th
Noah - 18th
Longbranch Road Race
Michael - 3rd
Race Reports
Saturday: Glennwood State Champs Road Race
I woke up early Saturday morning and immediately checked the weather for Kitsap county. Rain. But it was warm. Not that bad. I head over to Noah’s apartment and load up his gear and we’re on the road by 7:15. We stop twice - once for McDonald’s and once for gas. We get to parking lot at 8:30, register by 8:45, get dressed by 8:55, and head to the line at 8:59. So much for a warm up. Noah and I seemed like the only guys out there without leg warmers. I even had fingerless gloves. Hey, it was warm when the race started. 9:00am and rolling.
For some reason, I decided that attacking the field in the first 5 minutes of the race would be a great way to warm my legs up. I launched a speedy attack on a false flat and when I turned around, they field was a good 100 yards behind me. I had either shocked them, or they thought I was some kind of joker - some dude with a mismatched kit and everything to prove. They let me stay away for about 15 minutes. When I saw that they were chasing in earnest, I gave up and happily let them catch me - fully anticipating the counter attacks that were to come. For the next 20 miles a flurry of attacks went off. A Fresca rider launched a surprising attack and I and a few others snagged his wheel - I counter attacked - everyone followed and suddenly we had a 10 man break. It lasted for a good 15-20 minutes before the pack caught us. No one, it seemed, was getting away. Everyone seemed content to duke it out in the final sprint. Positioning was tough - I had to ride in the wind for the last 10 miles. By the time I got to the 200m, 14% hill top finish, I was gassed and misjudged my strength, trying to big ring it to the line. I bogged way down, but finished a solid 6th. Not bad.
Sunday: Longbranch Road Race
I barely made it to Longbranch. I woke up feeling groggy and fatigued so I slept in to 7am. The race was at 9am. 80 miles away. But as I opened my blinds and as the warm sun reflected off my dower face, I had a change of heart. I wanted to race! I grab my race bag, make a quick sandwich, and get to my car by 7:35am. Somehow…I don’t even know…I made it to Longbranch by 8:43. I remember running to registration and getting there at 8:45 - making the 15 minute deadline. I throw my gear on and head to the line. 9am. Race time.
I was feeling tired from the day before so I decided that I would not work at all in the race. Besides, I had no teammates. My whole day centered around maintaining my position in the top half of the field and staying vigilant - watching out for attacks. Longbranch is a course that’s easy to get away on. Attacks go, attacks fail, I sit in. On the last lap, a tiny junior attacked on the hilly section of the course, but with junior gearing, he couldn’t pedal enough on the downhill to get away so we caught him. In the last 3k the buldge developed - that point in the race when everyone knows its going to be a group sprint, so they all “buldge” to the front and things get sketchy. I was trying to move up on the left and some guy was like, “Hey, that’s my wheel!” and I replied, with a smile, “let’s fight for it!”. He backed off and I got the wheel. We turn the final corner and I’m sitting mid-pack on the far left side. Waiting for 200m. Waiting. Waiting…and GO!!! I moved all the way into the other lane and sprinted. 100m to go I’m around 7th… 50mk around 5th… 20m… 4th… 5m…3rd and my bike throw was too weak to snag 2nd. The guy who won apparently attacked at 1k. Props to him for holding that. I tried that a year earlier and finished 28th. But yes, I broke my “Mr. 4th” spell and finished 3rd for the day.
-Michael
