GMSR- Day 3-The Road Race

Well, a monster 75 miles of up and down. 2 massive climbs (Brandon Gap then the finishing Appalachian Gap which is 5 km of pure hell a pitches of 20%) and a Lot of stiff climbs in between. Not riding for GC anymore after yesterdays debacle so just looking for a top 10 and this really hard stage. Felt good all day and over Brandon Gab...near the front. Took a flier with 30 miles to go and stayed away for about 10 miles solo...hoping for some over the shoulder watching at the front but they eventually caught me. Went over Baby Gap in fine shape right at the front and although I felt pretty good with 8 miles to go, I knew I burnt a couple of matches on that solo. Ed was being active as well during the middle parts of the race as we kept flying off the front trying to create a break. The leader Roger Aspholm was keeping a vice grip lock on the front trying to cover every move. App Gap came and I was hanging in there for a while....4km sign came and I am thinking, "why not podium"? Well, the lactic acid wasn't far behind and I slowly started to drift backwards. Ed seemed to find his rhythm earlier and was up ahead. At about 1km to go, my girlfriend pulls alongside and gives me a couple of shouts so I go. Picked up a bunch of spots in the process but boy am I suffering. That is one thing you learn to do a lot of in this sport is suffering. How you process the pain goes a long way. Last pitch...500m to go. Wow is this hell. I pick up 2 more spots as I keep the pedals turning. Finally, the line....I am home!! Ed rolled in a few spots behind me and we were both shot. I ended up 23rd and Ed 27th. Not very good but we live to fight another day. Tommorrow is the Crit and I have had good results on this one (2nd in '06 and 1st in '07) so we will hope for a way to salvage the weekend.

Comments

[Eddy A.]

Awesome race and weather but Ouch!! Those last 2 kms up app gap (stage 3) were pure torture. Max and I tired our best to put a little pressure on the GC leader earlier in the race as the pack was riding very conservatively all day. Unfortunately, we were unable to get anyone to join us with our break attempts and our solo efforts just weren't enough. Very frustrating to say the least. At the end, there were way too many riders still together battling it out to the line. Like Max, I felt awesome up until the steep bits at the end. Was in survival mode at that point and happy just to get to the top without walking. I think I'll bring the granny gears along for next year. I ended up packing it in and heading home after this race to get a hug from my wife and kids. Max got his hug at the race from his greatest supporter, Juju.