Nutmeg State Games - Connecticut Crit Championships

[Bradford]

Cat 3 debut on a gentle crit course running through a park - no traffic and no yellow line to worry about.

Patrick and I lined up with 42 others for 22 laps (down from 25 because of a crash) of crit racing.

The race was pretty uneventful for majority of the laps - a few attacks that were chased down by the group - but the pace was quick. With a few laps remaining, maybe 5, a break of three went off the front. Green Line Velo had 5 or 6 guys in the race, and now one in the break, so they were on the front blocking.

What was a sizeable gap, had been cut down to maybe 10 seconds on the last 1/2 lap - nobody wanted to close the remainder, and we were still looking at GLV sitting on the front blocking - so I went with another guy and we caught the break in the last 250 meters or so.

When the guy I bridged with kicked, I hesitated for about a second, anticipating a mass swarm - however, the swarm didn't seem to come and I missed my chance - I closed in on him right at the line, but the moment of indecisiveness was the difference between 3rd and 4th/43.

Understanding the lines into the finish was key - Patrick and Stefan provided great insights. Beauty day for a race on a fun course.

[KTeves]

Good work Brad!

[pace21]

I dropped off Brad's skinsuit at the registration table at Purgatory for him to pick up since I was the first race of the day and he was the last. I had labeled the bag simply with "Brad" and all the GLV guys that were nearby replied "Oh Brad Bradford, yeah we know him...."

Well done Sir Bradley.

[KTeves]

. . . all the GLV guys that were nearby replied "Oh Brad Bradford, yeah we know him...."

That's awesome.

[Smudger]

I reckon this is the 1st race of the season you didn't podium (not counting Myles Standish #1 since you were able to race in the later race and won). What the hell is going on????

Seriously. Well done great result. GLV should be worried.

[JeremyC]

I reckon this is the 1st race of the season you didn't podium (not counting Myles Standish #1 since you were able to race in the later race and won). What the hell is going on????

Don't worry Smudger, Brad's official training with Coach Cratty started this morning. I can't wait to prescribe my first interval session. Which reminds me I need to get a moped so I can ride next to him with the bull horn....

[Bradford]

Thanks guys.

Jeremy - after seeing your cycling cave and master command center yesterday, I'm sort of surprised you don't already have a moped!

Bring on the intervals.

[swawersik]

Don't worry Smudger, Brad's official training with Coach Cratty started this morning. I can't wait to prescribe my first interval session. Which reminds me I need to get a moped so I can ride next to him with the bull horn....

Cratty - is this where your coaching philosophy comes from?

http://davefoley.com/bikeracing/negacoach/

[KTeves]

Cratty - is this where your coaching philosophy comes from?

http://davefoley.com/bikeracing/negacoach/

How do you guys find some of these things?

[Smudger]

priceless