2010 Jingle Cross

Went out to Iowa City to do some racing this weekend. I haven’t been doing a very good job of this so far this year but here is a quick recap of the weekend. It was my first dedicated Cat 2 race and there was a pretty elite field that showed up from through out the mid-west.

Fri was a night race which was interesting. There were huge lights run by a semi truck but a lot of the course was still very dark. The course was by far the most difficult I have ever done, including a descent (slip-n-slide) down a big hill. I had a good start and the race was going good, it was a 40 min event. I was in second and closing on first most of the race until 1/2 lap to go I got marker tape in my rear wheel. I sorted it out and was in 4th...I reeled in 3rd and the other guy happened to be a (good) Cat 3. So 2nd place on the day, I was very happy.

Sat more of the same. Slightly different course, including a crazy railroad tie uphill run. I got a terrible start nearly getting taken out and had to pull a foot. So first corner I was maybe in 40-50th place. I light probably ALL my matches and worked up to 5th in the first half lap. I just sprinted my ass off the whole time. I got into the lead chase group of 4 with 4 up the road and sat in seeing spots for quite a while. Then I got on the front trying to bring it all back, One racer got shot off the front group and my group lost a guy. Last big hill I was racing for 4th and got gaped on the hill. Going for 5th but the guy with me was giving me a handful...we changed position 3 times in the last 3 corners. I came around on the last turn and sprinted with all I have. Nabbed 5th on day 2, still in the money and tired as could be. Not too happy with the finish but glad I made a descent result out of it all.

Sunday, the hell day. By this point I was so beat up I wondered if I could even start. My back, hands, feet, and legs were all killing me....but hey this is cross! Got a pretty good start, 5th or so and our group quickly got away. The 4th place guy took a spill and I got tangled up in it. So I was pretty much in 4th the whole race with a big gap ahead and behind me. Money again, cool.

It was an awesome, long weekend of racing. I am pretty happy with how it went-- three top 5s with 1 podium-- and got lots of USAC points. Currently I am ranked 16th in the nation for Cat 2 Cyclocross. There was however some humble pie involved....a 15 year old phenom WON all 3 days (he is #1 in the nation)!!

Montrose (state championship) is next weekend...Im feeling pretty good, we shall see how it goes.

Razzle Dazzle