Race Report: Greenville M45+ Win

In 2010 my Greenville Spring Training Series races consisted of my first P/1/2 race on Saturday and then the Masters 45+ race on Sunday.  Needless to say, my legs were pretty trashed come the Sunday race, though I had somewhat of a psychological boost from knowing I was very likely the youngest racer having turned 44 in November (racing age 45 starting Jan 1, 2010).  I was happy with my result, taking 5^th out of a field of more than 45 racers.

This year I opted to spend Saturday Kayaking, watching Lizzi play soccer and driving to Greenville with my parents—in other words no riding.  About 50 riders toed the line, albeit briefly as the chief referee no sooner had said “45+ to the line” when he said “go!”  This put us only a minute or so behind the 35+ who we had in sight almost immediately.  On lap 2 the moto ref neutralized the 35+ field by making them stop off the road—harsh, but effective.  What wasn’t so effective was his deconfliction of a 8-ish rider breakaway group of 35+ that caught us and then proceeded to intermingle allowing four 45+ riders to slip away unnoticed by most of us.  Eventually we convinced the moto ref to allow us to run down the four riders.  Once we caught them it was back to us being held back so that the 35+ break could escape us—complicated.  Amidst all this fun we were passing riders constantly from other racers who sometimes tried to join us. 

With two laps to go in a six lap race we were “groupo compacto” and the fireworks started in earnest.  A few of us started to string things out in a four man rotation at the front.  By one lap to go many riders were off the back, but there still was a peloton of 25-30.  After a particularly hard dig up the hill on the backside of the course, I sensed that the group was ready for a break…so I gave them one:  me breaking away.  I knew it was a crapshoot since I’d have a strong headwind and then crosswind before the finish stretch, but thankfully two guys joined me and we worked well together, putting time on the chasing group (and re-passing the 35+ break!).  As we turned on the crosswind portion one of my mates quit doing pulls and I could tell I was the strongest.  Not really wanting a sprint finish, I attacked and rode the last 1500 meters solo to victory. 

As I rolled out I noticed “Big George” Hincapie chatting with some folks and so I asked “Hey George, I just won the 45+ race, can I get a picture with you?!”  Of course, true to form, he graciously said “yes”.  I relish those photos more than the non-existent podium shot.

Illness report—101 fever.  Looks pretty unlikely I’ll do any racing this weekend.
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