Unionvale Road Race-Sunday 7/12

Here is a recap of the Masters Elite Racing Team's day at the Unionvale Road Race

in Unionvale, NY. A very lumpy 58 mile race to say the least, a few big climbs, a final climb of 1.5 miles straight up and the wind was a definate factor today. Westwood Velo sent Freihoffer or whatever his name

is (won Bear Mtn RR) off the front by himself at the beginning of lap 2 after a

couple of early moves were caught. After numerous attempts by Ed, Badger,

Fernando and myself to bridge with different surges off the front, the break

settled in. We had to do a lot of the heavy lifting at the front of the

group and tried to keep Fernando fresh. We had the most numbers of any team

and a lot of guys were just willing to sit in. Marc Alden from Blue Ribbon

put in a few huge efforts on some hills to keep it close and his teammate

Eddie did his fair share to help. We kept it steady and crisp going into

the last lap and we started to smell blood. Alden again put in a big effort

again coming through the feed and only Troy Kimball from Westwood was able

to follow. Given that he didn't have to do any work (because his teammate was already off the front), Troy sat in and the

move was destined to fail. We caught the soloist not long before the left

turn on Rt. 21 towards the end of the first lap and it was steady on that hard

climb. At the top, 2 guys (one being some unknown Westwood guy who

eventually wins) roll off without much response figuring the fast downhill before the final climb ahead will keep them close...well it doesn't and they probably start the 1

1/2 mile finishing climb with 30-45 seconds. Damn that is a hard climb with

the first 3/4 of a mile the hardest and that's when the lactic acid burn

settles in!! The climb was steady at first with 7 or 8 of us in the group

but dwindling as the climb got progressively faster (just the way I like it

except my legs were already rubbery with a lot of energy spent in early

break aways and work at the front of the main field). I was staying with

John Funk and Troy Kimball for most of it until I cracked with about 1/2

mile to go. Almost started to go backwards but got motivated by the

oncoming chasers. I held on for 7th, Fernando I believe was 8th. Props to

Ed and Badger for some sacrifice and attempts at the front of the field!

Ouch...my legs hurt!