CX State Championships 2013......Best One Yet!

Having done a pre ride on Saturday and knowing a couple guys were dropping down, my expectations for 'wood' at Sunday's race were becoming unlikely.  The course was great and the venue very spectator friendly.  The sweeping turns, power zapping sand and long grass sections made for some fun racing and suited others better than me.  I typically do better on a more technical course. But this Sunday I was feeling great. I was both mentally and physically ready and wasn't going down without a fight.

Sitting on the line I felt anxious but comfortable. There were only 9 of use and all but 1 was on the front row so no great advantage off the start. Whistle blows and it takes an extra second to get clipped in and that puts be in the back of the group. We're all moving well and no gaps are forming. Lap 1, then 2 go by and still we are mostly together.  I'm not worried because there are plenty of places to pass, but I am worried about bobbles in the sand or a crash. At that's what happens toward the end of lap 3 or 4? while leading the group, Alex's front wheel slides out on a sweeping right hander and everyone knows this is the time to GO!

Steve gets around first and is charging.  Pete Thompson and I are next followed by Andy Weir, Osgood and Ron (I think). With still half the race to go and sitting in 3rd I was shitting my pants!  I've never raced with Pete and wasn't sure how he raced. Andy and Osgood were not far behind and 9.5 out of 10 days they are faster.  Early plan is to hang on to Pete and see how things go.

Lap 5 comes and goes and I'm still holding my own. I actually feel good and am thinking when I can put in an attack. I can still see Andy and Osgood around the turns and am judging if I'm loosing or gaining ground. The gaps seem steady or growing slightly so attention goes back to Pete. Then on lap 6 (I think) Pete goes down, in front of me, in the back pines and I try and gap. I didn't get great traction but thought it might work.  It didn't. He was quickly back on and I was leading the way. Laps 7 and 8 were spent going back and forth. I would attack and Pete would not let me go. He would come around and I would ride his wheel and wait. I would go again and he would react and stay close. Midway through lap 8 he pulls beside me and asks, 'Is this the bell lap?'I reply that I don't know. he takes the lead and around we go into the final bell.

Final lap and I'm staying pinned to his wheel, hoping for a mistake. I'm still feeling strong but I'm not sure about him.  Heading up the slick climb on the back side he puts in a small surge, then around the pavilion he stands and goes hard again. I'm able to react and still have a chance. Heading up the final climb towards the barriers he has a 6-8 bike length lead that I was able to close in half. He's over the barriers first and sprinting.  We hit the final turn and he as 4-5 bikes on me. He is on the gas first and before I can complete the turn he has another 20ft.  I stand and sprint but am not gaining ground. 10-15 strokes in I sit up and coast in.

Looking back I made a tactical error. Still took 3rd and made it on the wood, so I'm very happy about that.
Not sure if my season is over. Might take a trip over to Chicago in early January.
Thanks to everyone who cheered me on. It was very motivating and helped a lot.

Great racing by Pete Thompson. Thanks Alex, Andy and Osgood for making these last several races a blast.

Congratulations to-
 B's 39u guys: Big Mac, Lako and Jim Goerlich. Great racing and season guys.
Mstrs 45+: DC and Scott Fab for staying strong all season.
Elite's: Weinert, Sven, Mark P sorry I couldn't have seen more racing by you guys put it down. Good luck at Nationals and Worlds.
Ladies: Queen Anne and Kelly P - Way to go!

Thanks to Tailwinds for giving us some great races this year. Change is good and some lessons learned I think.

Michigan Scene: I appreciate what you do for the sport of cycling and the perspectives you bring. Keep it going and speak your mind. Haters will hate but the true will always love.

Love and Respect to All.
Cycling is what I do. Not who I am.
JMAK