I’m a little short of time, so I’ll probably just finish the whole Joe Martin thing tomorrow. Yesterday was a hard race for just about everyone. It was definitely really hard for the Jamis guys. The were put under a lot of stress by the constant attacks and especially a late move by the SmartStop Team. But, as usual, it all came back together in the last 10 km. By this time there were less than 50 guys left in the front. The field had split into two groups of 25, I was in the back group, but after a 1/2 a lap chase, it was back together.
It got a little dicey the last 5 km, with a hard sidewind. The Boneshaker guys, mainly Heath and Nick, went to the front and kept it strung out in the gutter. I finally got in front of Michael Sheehan, who is the fastest of us all, with less than a couple kms. to go. When the sprint started, Bradd Huff was leading out Jesse Anthony. I got into a little tussle with Travis McCabe. He has been riding too many criteriums with the UHC guys and was pretty rude to boot. But, he won the race by 1/2 a wheel anyway. Full results here. Michael was 6th, getting pinched off in the final corner. I rolled across in 19th.
Okay, it is supposed to be crazy weather this afternoon. Winds up to 80mph and golf ball size hail. That was what was forecast last night. Hopefully it holds off for today’s final stage, a technical criterium on a hill. Okay, I have to go.
This photo is by Dean Warren. He has lots of photos of all the races at his facebook page here.
I rode the 10 miles back to Fayetteville to loosen up my legs. I went to Chipotle and got the biggest burrito ever. So big they had to put it in a bowl. I was surprised to see the 5 Hour Energy gus eating at Taco Bueno and then the Optum Pro Team getting burritos too. Must be the food of choice for professional cyclists.
It was pretty hot all day. Bromont was hot here at the feed zone. I heard they took an Optum rider to the hospital for dehydration.
Trudi got the van stuck here a couple years ago. A couple farmers spent two hours jacking her out. Pretty nice.
Are you ever not too hot?
none-Did I say I was too hot? But it was hot. Riders were swerving across the road to get neutral feeds, nearly everyone’s shorts were crusted in salt, guys were constantly going back to their cars and coming back with jerseys loaded with bottles for their team mates and they did have to get at least one professional rider an IV. So yes, for April, it was a pretty hot day.
An honest question: What is Travis McCabe supposed to do? He’s not going to just give up his place. If you or anyone else gets mad about not getting his spot, I don’t see how that is his fault.
channel_zero- I’ll answer the question eventually in another post, but it wasn’t a situation where Travis McCabe was not giving up his spot. It was one where he was trying to take someones elses.
I will trade you the DI2 battery of your choice for a decent burrito. I am tired of the cuisine here in the UAE
Steve indicated Travis was rude during the process. Maybe it’s just that..not the racing moves. We will hear more.
Steve…UHC is a fine team and has some aggressive, but thoughtful winners like the Keoughs, Clarkes, etc. I know you’ve been critical of the UHC “controlling” maneuvers, but isn’t this the same move every big team is able to do?
It’s about controlling the race and, yes, sometimes the bigger money teams control the races better than the cobbled-together teams. You were on the biggest teams…and controlled the races. Or was it different?
Steve…have you seen a change in overall crit tactics? Or…is it just a matter of biggest/baddest team controls the race, clogging lines, no matter the era?
Would truly like to hear more.