GMSR- Day 4- The Criterium....REDEMPTION!!!
Tuesday, September 8, 2009 at 06:35AM Well folks, that black cloud finally lifted! This is a seriously technical and fast 6 corner crit in downtown Burlington. Not to mention changes in pavement, potholes and a stiff breeze off of Lake Champlain...fortunately, it was a tailwind at the finish. With a tense start and a few yoyo's off the front, the pace settled in. Ed decided to head home the night before so I knew I was on my own. I thought I would test the sprint legs during one of the intermediate sprints (15 laps to go) for point and did so in fine shape...took 2nd and helped Johnny Bold keep his distance on the Sprint Leaders Jersey as he took 1st in that sprint and other combatants looking to shake that jersey away from him were fighting behind me. I had no interest in that jersey, just the finish. I had passed Troy Kimbal from Westwood who is quite fast so I knew I had legs. Basically did the same at the next sprint with 5 laps to go...ok, all system checked. Roger Aspholm still lead the overall race by alot so he was never in danger but I knew he wanted the clean sweep for the weekend for his Westwood Team and would give Troy whatever help at the end was needed. This played right into my hands because I banked on that. 2 laps to go, Mark Gunsalus from Fuji separates off the front...not real hard but opens a gap. At that point, I was 2nd wheel and didn't feel that was the move so I eased the pace just enough and pulled the field farther left than it would like. I waited and waited as the gap opened and then Mark really decided to go for. Just as planned, Roger came shooting up to the front and Troy right on his wheel. I gritted to grab the wheel and the game was on. Coming around to the bell lap, Mark still had a nice lead but I was not worrying, Roger was pulling hard and I knew he would get there. Around the 2nd to last corner, we are flying, slight downhill, extremely fast but Mark still has a gap. Roger turns the last corner, I here the "ok" from Troy to release him and we are heading slight uphill to the finish still chasing Mark with about 2oom to go. I stay tight on the wheel for a few seconds and then burst to the right. Feels great when you have it because it feels effortless. Passed Troy with 100m to go and set my sights on Mark. Closing, closing, closing and just nip it at the line for the win! Damn that felt good and made all misery from the weekend forgotten. I don't think I have ever let out a louder yell in my life as 2 years of frustration came roaring out. Mission completed!! A couple of slices of pizza and a few beers and we were on our way home. If you have been following this, thanks. I got a bunch of calls, emails and texts and they are surely appreciated. Take care.
Reader Comments (3)
sweeeeeeeet!
Nice one!
Great job Max!