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Working Man's Stage Race - Women's 3/4 - 3rd Place!
Working Man's Stage race is a fun, 3 stage race held after work. I did this race last year, and had a great time. This is my target race for the season...
Tuesday - Stage 1 - 6.6 Mile TT
Whew! It was hot out there, and FAST. Our team was well represented in the women's Cat 3/4 field, with 3 of us taking the line in a field of 15 women.
Looking at the other competitors before the start, I was intimidated. I don't remember seeing quite as much hardware at last year's event - full on TT bikes, disk wheels, aero helmets... And knowing that some of these women were strong Cat 3s, I was worried.
I set off next to last, with a goal of getting into the 16:00 range (I finished the 6.6 mile course in 17:17 last year), and I'll admit [sheepishly] a secondary goal to beat my former teammate's time from last year (of 16:40). I went out fast and hard, catching both my 30 second and 1 minute gals, but not knowing how I was doing besides not being able to breathe ;-). I admit that I didn't feel great, but I tried to push past that feeling, and just get through the amended course (this year's distance was actually 6.3 miles, accounting for about 20 - 30 seconds).
When I crossed the line, I finally looked at my time, and was surprised to see 15:53! I had more than achieved my goal, so I was pretty pleased. As I headed into the parking lot and back to the car, another racer came up and congratulated me. "What for?", I asked. She then told me that I won!
This meant that I would have to defend my position in the circuit race. The second place finisher from the TT is a very strong Cat 3 racer, and 3rd place is also a strong rider who has beaten me in the past.
Wednesday - Stage 2 - Circuit Race
Tonight's race was the Circuit Race - 3 laps of an 8.8 mile loop, with QOM points as well. The skies threatened, but we remained dry throughout the race (YAY!). Fifteen women took the start line again today, and with the leader's PINK jersey, I felt that I had a giant target on my back ;) .
Tonight's race was much different than this same race last year - we averaged around 23 mph (vs. 17 mph last year), and EVERYONE shared the work (where last year, it was basically two or three women who pulled the entire race). While there were no breaks, it did come down to a group of about 10 women on the final climb.
In the racer meeting prior to the start, we heard that there would be QOM points on each lap with the exception of the first. However, at the start line, the official stated that there would be points for EACH lap - at least that's what I heard. So, the first time up the climb, I surged, and was surprised that they were letting me go. I crested the hill first, and didn't realize until after the race that I had either misheard, or the official on the start had been wrong - oh well!
My teammate did an awesome job keeping pace for me - too awesome in fact, and sadly got dropped going downhill on the second lap after chasing from the back to pull in front of me. My other teammate also was out on the front for some time doing some pacing on the first lap - thanks and congrats to both of you for a great race!
In the final lap, a rider from another team (who used to race for us, and who I know fairly well) offered to lead me out in the sprint at the finish, assuming she would be there on the final climb (I think she said something about it costing me $10 though :D ). Unfortunately, I got in front of her on the climb and fast following descent, and couldn't let up for fear of losing contact with the major players. Both she and her teammate were definitely great help to me tonight though - both checking in often to see how I was doing, and offering wheels. It's nice to have NEBC friends AND teammates in the race ;).
I rounded the final corner with the front group, but in the wrong gear. Had to chase them down in the final sprint, and crossed the line in 7th. I lost the leader's jersey tonight, but am still 3rd in the overall GC, with a STRONG group of Cat 3 women still behind me.
Thursday - Stage 3 - Points Race
All day, the weather held off, and it looked promising for tonight's race. Unfortunately, as we headed out to get to Epping, the skies opened, and the rain came down HARD. I was already nervous about tonight's points race (NOT my specialty), and adding heavy rain was making me even more nervous.
The race was intended to be 13 miles (52 laps of a 1/4 mile speedway - banked with nasty pavement). Every 5th lap would be a sprint for points with double points being awarded at the halfway and final laps. The winner of the race is the one who rides the most laps, and in the case of a tie, has the most points - not the person who crosses the line first!
By the time we reached the track, it was pouring. We signed in, and all huddled under a small tent to try and stay dry. The officials and race promoters met for over half an hour to determine the course of action, and in the end, wisely decided to cancel tonight's race for all categories. They made the right call - this track is slick when it is dry, and the torrents of water weren't going to make it any better.
We were disappointed in not being able to race. The good news, however, is that the GC standings as of last night stuck, so I ended up finishing 3rd overall!
So, instead of racing/riding, DH and some other teammates headed to Applebees for burgers and beers ;-). After all, the only reason I ride/race is so that I can eat ;-).
Here's a pic, at least, of my brief moment in the "Maglia Rosa", and one of me with my teammates (Julie just came back from Nationals where she became the National champion in the TT, Circuit and RR!).
