Green Mountain Stage Race 2014

[jmagro]

Too tired to do a full recap right now. But briefly for the Cat 2 race: (Final Result 29th/70 GC)

Stage 1 Warren Store TT: 6 miles, all uphill. Drove 3 hours, zero warmup, result: 57/70 GC: 57/70

Stage 2 Bridges Circuit Race: 72 miles. Rolling circuit with a gradual 2-mile climb and net elevation gain of 700 feet of per lap. I made the early break, nabbed some sprint points, realized I wasn't in it for the long haul, fell back to the field. Kicked with 800m to go as people were rolling off the front of the field with no reaction. Caught at the line. Result: 16th. GC: 43

Stage 3 Mad River Road Race: 96 miles and 7000+ ft of climbing. Point A to point B race, Felt like a grand tour stage. Climbed Middlebury Gap 25 miles in, hung with yellow jersey group over the top. Then hit another short steep climb, followed by 2 ascents of Baby Gap and the final slog up App Gap. Dropped from what was left of main field with 3km to go on App Gap. Wish I would have put that compact on! Wouldn't have placed me any higher, but that last 500m at 17% would have been easier! Result: 34th. GC: 33rd

Stage 4 Burlington Crit: 1 km course, 6 turns, 2 brick streets, hill on frontstretch. Very fun, no brakes required. Felt surprisingly fresh considering previous 2 days. Rode in top third for most of the race. Came to a stop to avoid a crash halfway through and missed break while chasing back on. Moved back up to the front. Was top 10 with 3 to go, shuffled back with 2 to go, making my way forward again but ran out of time. Result 16th. GC 29th

Also, kudos to Scott and Kevin who both rode excellent all weekend in the 35+ Men's 4/5 field! Had a great time watching them race all weekend. Scott had some heroic solo efforts to recover from a flat at the beginning of Stage 3 and Kevin rode consistently all weekend and came home top 15 on GC!

Onward to Mayor's Cup! Still feeling good about my crit fitness

[Mkidd3]

Well done Joe!!

[jraguin]

Wow, that is a tough race. Great job Joe.

[PJ McQuade]

Hard race, hard field, hard man. Nice Joe!

[JeremyC]

Good stuff Joe