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Friday, September 07, 2007
Atlanta US 100K, Getting Closer!
Labor Day may have been a day off for most of the country but for 150 dedicated cyclists and at least as many support stuff, it was up at 4:30 am and get ready for 100 kilometers of professional bike racing in one of the final and most important races of the year at the !
The Pacesetter team set out with a full squad, composed of die hard captain Tyler, followed by loyal combatants Chris, Chad, Ben, Charles, Darren, Matt, and guest rider Wes Parrish.
The race was to be a tough one considering it being the final and deciding stop on the National Racing Calendar as well as the battle for $25,000 in prize money. All of the pro teams were out in full force ready to defend a year’s worth of hard work, but the local elite teams were prepared to meet each and every one of them lock-step.
The course consisted of a quick run straight down Cobb Pkwy to the rolling 5 mile circuit, of which we did 11 times and then to a final 1 mile downhill 50+ mph sprint finish.
Our plan was to sit in and try to conserve energy until the major players showed their cards but it was definitely on from the gun as we were flying up the hills in our big rings.
Tyler got in the first main breakaway of the day with about 10 guys in it and all the major teams represented but the day wasn't meant to end in a breakaway when eventual NRC calendar champions brought it back with about 30 (less than 1 hour at this point) miles left to ride.
Matt and Darren were active with the counterattacks but it was a flurry of action for the rest of the race and nothing was happening. Until Tyler made a move for the mid race sprint and got a good go of it with a couple of other riders and put the Pacesetter logo out there
in front of the cameras.
The race was blazing fast all day considering we were averaging almost 30mph on a pretty hilly rolling circuit with no major climbs, but nary a stretch of flat ground at all. But, the one second it eased up with 1 lap to go Tyler made a move with one other guy to catch the peloton off guard, but unfortunately it just wasn't going anywhere as the sprinters teams were lining it out for the run to the finish.
As could only be expected the finish was fast and hectic, riders lined across the road for a half lap fighting for position to the 120 degree final turn before the sprint finish. Lucky for everyone there were no crashes but unfortunately for Pacesetter's we didn't have anyone in position and were totally boxed out by the pro teams for the final 50+mph.
For a lot of the guys it was an experience in itself to race with the big guns, Matt and Tyler wanted to get better results but Tyler was out front making the moves all day and didn't have the juice left for the finish and Matt had no excuse except the hills weren't big enough!
For pretty much everyone the race went well and the team felt good but everybody wanted another crack at the finish and lining it out in the sprint with the big guns. It was frustrating to be riding with the best all day only to be out of position when it really counted.
But at the same time, it was very satisfying to be out there and putting some of the best riders in the country on their heels.
Next time will be a different story for sure. Thanks for reading and thank you for your support.
Christian Leask
9:11 AM |
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