Lime Rock GP 5/1/2016
Posted: Mon May 02, 2016 2:07 pm
Just me representing MRC in the full (75 rider) 4/5 field. Weather was pretty atrocious, low 40s and raining. Luckily wind was minimal, not noticeable.
I recognized a few faces, pretty standard Cannondale-Lingo Jingo contingent, two KMS kids and a smattering of other people who would identify as being on a team, but really they just wear the same jersey. For those who do not know the course, it is a 1.5mi circuit, smooth pavement, 8 sweeping turns and features a 200m 10% ish punch to the gut, followed by a plateau and then the equivalent going down.
The bunch was pretty content on staying together, I had no plans of doing work and just kept my eyes on the KMS kids who were really chomping at the bit. A few flyers went, but a few strong guys always took care of chasing it back. Two guys got away on 5 to go, one of which did not have the legs to stay on. Despite lots of yelling to up the pace, it took until 2 to go for any real effort from the peloton to whip up the chase.
The breakaway had been bleeding time, so I decided against a bridge. As we got the bell there was a surge in the pace and there was a race to the base of the rise, I wound up in the front at the top of the hill, (ugh, thanks climbing legs), kept the pace high and stayed alert. Fortunately glanced over my shoulder just in time to catch one of the KMS kids about to jump. He saw me see him, and got back in the saddle. Two guys from some random team pulled through at the bottom of the descent. They pulled hard, and ran out of steam coming into the second to last turn.
Some guy from 6th-ish wheel opened up, the guy behind me jumped on his wheel, and I grabbed that wheel. Unfortunately, the big effort on the last lap to close a 15sec break was too little too late.
We came out of the final turn, about 300-400m and the sprint started. Breakaway barely stayed away, and I took 4th in the bunch, coming around the guy in front of me, but pipped by the KMS duo at the line.
Sprint is getting there, still could use some work. Best news is that 5th gave me the final two points I needed for my upgrade. Hello Cat 3 team.
I recognized a few faces, pretty standard Cannondale-Lingo Jingo contingent, two KMS kids and a smattering of other people who would identify as being on a team, but really they just wear the same jersey. For those who do not know the course, it is a 1.5mi circuit, smooth pavement, 8 sweeping turns and features a 200m 10% ish punch to the gut, followed by a plateau and then the equivalent going down.
The bunch was pretty content on staying together, I had no plans of doing work and just kept my eyes on the KMS kids who were really chomping at the bit. A few flyers went, but a few strong guys always took care of chasing it back. Two guys got away on 5 to go, one of which did not have the legs to stay on. Despite lots of yelling to up the pace, it took until 2 to go for any real effort from the peloton to whip up the chase.
The breakaway had been bleeding time, so I decided against a bridge. As we got the bell there was a surge in the pace and there was a race to the base of the rise, I wound up in the front at the top of the hill, (ugh, thanks climbing legs), kept the pace high and stayed alert. Fortunately glanced over my shoulder just in time to catch one of the KMS kids about to jump. He saw me see him, and got back in the saddle. Two guys from some random team pulled through at the bottom of the descent. They pulled hard, and ran out of steam coming into the second to last turn.
Some guy from 6th-ish wheel opened up, the guy behind me jumped on his wheel, and I grabbed that wheel. Unfortunately, the big effort on the last lap to close a 15sec break was too little too late.
We came out of the final turn, about 300-400m and the sprint started. Breakaway barely stayed away, and I took 4th in the bunch, coming around the guy in front of me, but pipped by the KMS duo at the line.
Sprint is getting there, still could use some work. Best news is that 5th gave me the final two points I needed for my upgrade. Hello Cat 3 team.