Torelli Spring Classic -- Tour of Granville

This race was the most fun yet. We had the best representation and most everyone pitched in to keep it lively. Larry, Todd, Will, and Steve did great jobs attacking and keeping the pack unsettled. The early attacks were fruitless as there was still some energy left in people's legs.

I wasn't ready to work hard until people started to get tired. In one of the early breaks, Shave Dave started yelling at me because I wasn't working as hard as he thought I should have been. He should have put in at least one effort before opening his mouth. I pointed that out to him and he was quickly quieted.

The first signs of the pack tiring were when Steve was hanging off the front for the better part of a lap. The rest of the pack just let us sit up on the front and block the yellow and white lines.

I think the winning break was set up on a counter to Todd's attack exiting the school grounds. I sucked wheel as the others chased and was ready to answer the counter attack. By the time our break arrived at the turn with the deputy, the pack was out of sight. We settled into forging ahead and solidified our lead. On our last exit from the school grounds, I spotted three chasers. We held them off through the rest of the course and even widened the gap some.

After topping the last rise we turned our attention to each other. I made my way to the back of our group just where I wanted to be. I attacked on the downwind side of the course and went too early. I tried grabbling another gear, but failed miserably. They closed the gap and one of them tried pushing me into the gutter when he ran out of room in the middle. I pushed back to keep from eating grass and he finally submitted. Meanwhile, the Breakaway rider made his gap and held it to the line.

Sorry guys for squandering the work and not picking up the win.

It turned out to be a beautiful day. The plan was to sit in the first lap, but I spoiled that plan early. I felt good so I took off and five others joined. We were playing games in the break early, trying to pop off riders. After the first lap we worked as a team.

The last lap was a different story. I was messing around with my contacts and the attacks started. Tom Frueh was the first to get dropped. Tom was chasing hard and Jim Baldesare said, "We can have five at the finish or four." As soon as Jim said that, Jay Cech took a hard pull and the rest rolled through.

When we got to the last set of rollers, Jay attacked at least four different times. I tried to counter one of his attacks. My legs felt like they were done. As we turned into the final stretch we had a strong head wind. Jay attacked again. I jumped on his wheel, which put me in front of everyone else.

I gave room to Mike Sterr, so he could get a nice draft. I was the first to jump for the final sprint. As I looked behind I had 3 bike lengths on the others. I made the mistake by not taking the gutter, which gave a draft for Mike at the time that counted most.

Overall one of the best breaks I've been associated with. No complaining, just hard work. Thanks guys for making it a fun day!

My task in today’s race was to guard the front door. Did one attack on the start of lap 3, but the pack took notice of this move and shut it down. At this point Joe and two others tip pie toed off the front while the pack was catching its breath. Breakaway and Savage closed the front door at this point and allowed the break to gain time on us. Another three guys jumped clear to gain about 150 meters on the pack. Good move. With just under two laps to go both breakaway groups are still with in sight but maintaining their respective gaps.

I cover one attack but get popped, but thanks to Jon Bonnell, he bridges me back up to the back end of the field. I recover and move to front of the field.

Half way into the Final lap I set on Blair’s wheel while he’s setting tempo at the front and protecting me from the wind. Now we’re on the headwind section, between turns 3 and 4, which has the climbs. Blair is still at the front setting temp! Mitch rolls up and assists Blair, taking pulls at the front. On the climb Chris Bean takes over and set’s tempo all the way to turn four. No other teams or riders came to the front during this time. They must have been fried or enjoying a free ride. With the protection I received from my “teammates” by keeping me out of the wind, I feeling very fresh and rested. Coming out of turn four, two guys attack and I immediately respond and jump on a wheel out of the wind. This attack puts a gap on the field but the field is closing in. So I decide it’s time do my quick patented jump and put a gap on the field. I put my head down and gave it every thing I have. Jumping clear with 150 meters to go I’ve got a good gap and keep shifting down. With 50 meters to go, I snick a peek to see where the field is and I’ve got a good gap. So I back off the throttle to roll in like Eric Zobel to get nipped at the line.

Thanks to my “TEAMMATES” for their hard work and will return it in kind when asked to do so. Also I would like to apologize for that sprint slippage. It will not happen again.

Fizzle, pop.

Whadda ya mean, warm-up?

The first race of the season is always full of uncertainty. Do I have enough fitness? Where’s my pump? Do I have right clothes combination…tights, no leg warmers, no knee warmers. How crazy will all this make my wife? Although I showed up to the race prepared, I did manage to pull out of my drive before I realized I didn’t have my helmet- I swear packing for Boy Scout camp seemed easier in comparison.

In the 3/4 race, we definitely had a numbers advantage today, so we felt obliged to control this race from the start. My only advice to the team before this race was to avoid leading out the competition’s sprinter because of the long headwind finish- this cost us the race here last year. Being a slow starter, thankfully I was not asked to attack from the gun. But Larry on the other hand, saw an opportunity and declared the race was on. Into the second lap and after Larry was reeled back, Will attacked. I saw two others begin to chase, so I grabbed a wheel. Once they closed the gap, I decided I would launch another attack- much to my surprise no one followed. The team did a great job of blocking, actually to great. I was now all alone with nothing but a perpetual headwind. Originally, I had hoped that maybe one or two strong riders would follow and we could slowly work them out of the race. After almost a solo lap (maybe strength training was a good idea) Lowery, Hobbs and Niccum bridged. I thought maybe I could recover, but Joe put in a little surge and I just didn’t have enough stay on. I had no intentions of being in a winning break today, but I think our attacks gave Joe the opportunity turn a race of 30+ riders into a race of three and we were represented!

Congrats to Joe and to Todd for almost winning the field sprint. Everyone else stepped right up at the end to lead Todd out for the field sprint. Next time I hope I can play a better role in the lead-out. Also, congrats to Jeff Yencher for putting such a good race and a strong ride. Congrats also to Jeremy and all the 1/2s for another impressive show of strength- fun to watch!

First race of the year always tough. Never know what to expect. Still need to work on positioning in the peleton so I don't get pushed into the wind.
Thanks again to Larry and the other rider with us for making this at least a special day for my son.