City Center Cat 3 pics

Thanks to my Dad for the pics!

Norfolk

Here's a pic from the start of the 1/2/3 race by JB!

It was windy. That pretty much sums it up!

We had a strong team for the Cat 3 race, unfortunately we fell short of the win. I'm disappointed in myself for not being able to make it across to the winning break with Bill from CRC. We were almost there, but fell way too short. On the last lap, 4th was still up for grabs from the field. Another mistake on my part. Perhaps a two part mistake? Number one was failing to alert the guys that I was pretty well positioned in line. Mistake two came as I began my sprint (just before where Matt and I had staked out!), I came along the inside, where the inevitable squeeze play against the curb jutting out in the road began to rear it's head. With the slight tailwind and excellent teamwork from the stormin' Cat 3 JRVS/Casey Auto Group squad, I was envisioning turnin' it up to the 11(tooth)! Right as I was calling up to Matt to let him know I was coming through he jumped, and then had to cut right to avoid a popped dude. I saw the curb, I saw a rear wheel, and I had to slam on the brakes. Oh well. I guess, as Savodelli and other pros remark, "The sensations were there". Which is good... since I should be peaking very soon. Nevertheless, I'm not frustrated with anybody but myself. Great things to come from the Cat 3's of JRVS/Casey Auto Group!

As for the 1/2/3 race... the wind was even stronger! I used a top secret starting technique to get in good position early on. Eventually I found momentum allowing me to roll off the front. I took a (rather pointless) flyer off the front for a lap and a half or so.

It wasn't long before the field was shrinking smaller and smaller. Mark Connely and I were caught behind a flatted rider and forced to chase and chase... and chase. It was a futile chase, but and important one. My goal was to hang in as long as possible. I'm really trying to work on suffering. Suffering in training, and (especially) suffering in racing. After the leaders passed me, I was pulled.

In other news, the City Center Crit 1/2 race is now open to 3's. And... Katie says "hi".