Sterling RR, CAT 4

My race began early on 90 west. I spotted Smallwood a few cars up, took his wheel and drafted nicely to 495. At the toll, Dave took the cash line and I the EZPass (Is this the equivalent of doping?). Anyway, that was all that was needed to make the pass and hold for good to the line at Sterling.
This was my first race at Sterling. Thank you to Jason C and Dave S for the course descriptions prior. Also, huge thank you to Jamie for the recon report. Met up w/ Dave S (masters race) and Colm (fresh off a 24 hour round, who needs sleep). BRC was well represented. We met up in the parking lot: Me, Clevenger, Colm, Julian, Jamie, Steve Senne, Neal Heffron, Larry and Bob. Jason raised his hand for the team and also announced that this would be his last CAT 4 race as he was just granted his upgrade!!! Congrats Jay, you’ve certainly earned it. Looking forward to building out that CAT 3 team in the next few months. Other than that, we were loose on the plans. The race was 5 laps which ended w/ a two step climb to the finish. Per the prior race reports, positioning on the last lap was crucial. Another nugget from Smallwood that proved absolutely true was that once the pack made the turn onto 12, there would be plenty of room to manuever. This was the case on every lap. Lap 1, not much doing. I pulled to the front on the right side once we hit 12 and spent some time at the front. Threshold pulled through and I relinquished. I did speak to Threshold upfront. Basically, between the two of us, we had 12 or so in the pack. I told Threshold not to bother chasing anything w/out BRC in a break as we had the numbers to pull anything back if need be and that we would be there to help out if that happened. We also agreed that if a move went that represented both teams, we would work together to shut down the chase. Afther that little convo, we both moved back to the top 3rd and sat in. The next few laps were uneventful. Jay asked how my legs were, I told him that they were okay, but I was feeling the climbs. Basically, I was not looking for a break, though appreciated the offer to help out. Larry, Bob, Colm, me and Jay were upfront for the majority of the race. We lost Bob to a flat on lap 3? I would establish positioning on 12 on every lap and relinquish positioning on the descents on the back. Just not interested in jostling at 40mph on the backside. Coming into the last lap I was wondering if I could big ring the climb. I ultimately decided against it, though it may have been the move. We took the right hander onto 12. Colm was in excellent position as was Jay. I took the right side up to snuggle in next to them. Strangely, the first “selection” that might have happened on the first part of the hill didn’t materialize. Everyone shut it down on that part of it in anticipation. I saw Jay shoot out right and that made some nice room on the left coming into the final climb. I came into the turn top 10ish. I stood up out of the saddle and had originally intended to sit in after the initial surge. However, when I looked up, that line looked awfully close (this was my bad, as the prior climbs felt much longer). I remained out of the saddle and began to sprint. I picked up a few riders, but lost one spot at the line. I think I was undergeared just a tad and probably began the sprint a little to late. I knew I had placed well, but not quite sure where. Later Bob (who saw the finish) told me I was 7th. 1 spot out of the $$, but I’ll take a top 10 anyday. I had to split right afterward, so I don’t know where the rest of the boys ended up. Looking forward to hearing all about it. Sunapee is next and then it will be time to shut it down in preparation for Fitchburg. Great day Gentlemen.

Nice work in there, I was trying to get you a lead-out with my move to the front. I’m glad it helped in some way, it’s obvious that the team that can put together some teamwork will have a leg up, since two Bike Barn guys flew past me just as I turned into the town center, and the second guy ended up getting sprung for the win. I saw you come past me on the finish climb, as I had earlier decided to big-ring the hill and paid a heavy price for it (I was dropping like an anvil). I hung on for 9th place, so we ended up rep’ing well – Two BRCers in the top ten! Well done, again.

I think Larry ended up top twenty in his first Cat 4 race, and Colm was in there as well. Good job guys, there will be podiums in the future.

Well done guys and congrats on the upgrade Jay!

i was a little sleep deprived coming into the race after a week of being on-call. Nevertheless, after a lap or two of the race i warmed up and moved up toward the front with other BRCers including john and Jay. As the race went on i felt stronger on the climbs and used them to gain places so fet like i could produce a good result. I got well forward in the early part of the last lap so as not to get boxed in or leave this too late. On route 12, on the last lap, I sat in about 3rd -5th position and tried to stay to the left which is where i thought a decisive move might come from since most of the movement had been on this side on previous laps. As we aproached the second to last turn, i saw jay make a move on the opposite side but was too far accross to grab his wheel. the reaction came from the right hand side so i fell back to about tenth. I had been strong on the finish hill on prior laps, so still thought i could do well. Then, as i started up the finishing hill, some guy swerved sideways into me and his front tire went straight into my foot (bizarre – some kind of seizure maybe). The feeling was like someone grabbed my leg and wouldnt let go, on a climb!! So I presumed i’d hit the ground at this point, but was lucky enough to stay upright. (I now have a tire shaped friction burn on my shoe). So at least i didnt crash, but my finish was screwed and efforts were wasted.

Still, it was good up to that point, and will fight another day.

FYI – Results are up on Bikereg. Starvish got a solid 6th, I was 9th, and Larry was 16th. Good showing!