Pre Race
I knew I was very fresh and pretty fit based on my power meter analysis charts... thats just where you want to be for a big race and this was a huge goal for me. After a nice 1hr warmup I was ready to rock.
The Competition (in order of who I thought would win)
1 - Keith Odmonson - This spot was originally reserved for Chris Beck but after seeing Keith destroy everyone else's lap times at Bakers I gave it to him.
2 - Chris Beck - I have never ever beaten him, but I have always finished SO close... ah Beck.... He has won Sugar Hill a few times.
3 - Jon Gdowik - No one is smoother on the bike. He has won SugarHill in the past. He is also my coach.
4 - Ethan Frey - Last year's winner. Extremely strong and technical.
5 - Connor Bell - Young guy with lots of tenacity / speed.
I thought I would end up 3rd-5th.
Laps 1 and 2...
Lined up on the left side of the starting like since that seemed to be the best path at the beginning of waterbars. Goal on waterbars was to feel comfortable and still be in the top 5. I made it to the top in 3rd and I felt comfortable! SUCCESS! Connor and Keith both attacked off the front and I let them go. I figured that Connor would implode and that Keith might just stay away to win. Since I didn't follow them I created a front group of Beck, Ethan, Mike (mystery man), and myself.
Valley View chewed Keith up and spit him out.. turns out his technical skills are not very good. He crashed a couple times and was right back with our group. Connor is NO JOKE. He is faster than I thought. He was crushing it about 10-15 seconds off the front of our group the entire 1st lap.
Since our group was comprised of 3 guys from Joe's team they dictated everything. I just stayed in the back of the group with Mike while they worked out their strategy to win.
During these first 2 laps.. it felt comfortable the whole time. I was just waiting... just waiting.. and thinking... "Is Beck just toying with me? When will his epic attack happen? If I attack will I be the sucker that does all the work and then he sprints around me like I am nothing (I can't let that happen!! That cannot happen!!). Ethan looked like he was working too hard so I figured he was done. Mike was a mystery. Connor was always 10 seconds ahead but i knew I could close that gap in 1 second ;) But I am very scared of Beck.. he is cunning and crazy fast.
Lap 3!
Right before the start of the 3rd lap, on the uphill finish of Rockburn Branch Loop, Beck issued a barking order to Ethan "Ethan! Start putting pressure on that young guy (referring to Connor who was still 10seconds ahead)" Ethan tried, and failed. That was my moment. I knew I had to do something. Ethan was obviously gassed and if I could get to Valley View first at least when Beck tried to pass me he would have a very hard time doing it.
I attacked and was quickly in 1st before the 4way and start of 3rd lap. I don't remember any of Valley View... well somehow Connor got back in front of me after the steps... That kid is no joke.
Right before we turned onto Cascade Connor flatted right in front of me! I was happy and sad for him... 1 less thing to worry about. He was done and I was back in the lead.
Time to REALLY let loose. Go Go Go! Pedal. I could not look back. I had no idea how close they were.
We hit the crazy uphill Cascade bypass and although I rode it the first 2 laps my heart rate was way to high to ride it. I dismounted and ran. Run Run Run.
Remounted at the top. Tried to look over my shoulder... I could not see anyone but maybe they are there and I just can't see them? I can't trust myself at this point. Brain not working.
Back onto Cascade... it is flat and slight uphill. Pedal hard but not too hard.. in case Beck catches you you need to be able to attack him. Save just a tiny tiny bit but pedal hard.
When I hit the uphill on Lewis And Clark I knew I was really getting close to the finish. Time to start letting it all out. Don't save any. Just GO GO GO. Looked back, no one was there, does not matter.. you want this win.. you must GO faster.
Back to the 4 way. Someone says something to me about the field is broken and way behind. That is nice but I have to GO Don't crash.. GO Don't crash... Ride hard but don't crash!
Back the the 4 way to go down water bars... This is it.. They are not behind me.. I can't see them!
Cross the finish line, raise my hands, scream. Super happy!
Mike came in second (turns out he was very fast), Beck, Ethan, Gdowik, then Keith.
Post Analysis:
- My last lap was faster by about 20 seconds from laps 1 and 2.
- Training with power and using detailed power analysis I was able to know without any doubt that I was super fresh for this race and I was very fit (I was more fresh than fit). That is exactly where I want to be for all my races but it almost never works out perfectly... with my charts I can now set myself up perfectly for a big race.. it works.
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