Man’s Race 2007 Criterium Nationals
I will have to hand it to my fixed gear racing buddy Martin Gilbert and his Kelly Benefit teammates for controlling the finishing laps of the race. It is not that they were so strong that they just keep every other team at bay, but more so that banded together and simple controlled it. Props to them for sure. Health Net really came out with the big win though, because he who gets the jersey is really the winner. That is just the way it seemed to be last year and also the same this year.
I say that Crit nationals was a man’s race, because that is what it was. From the first lap to the last, man’s race. Ya we can sit here and talk about how strong such and such was (Will Frishkorn would take that prize by the way) or how many watts it took just to sit in the damn race. But more so how I only remember a few fleeting moments where the pack was no in one long strung out pace line. The elements created a great show for an spectator on just about every corner, because with 8 corners x 64 laps = 512 white knuckling corners which in turn = a shit ton of crashes. I will say that racing crit nationals in the rain creates a whole different style of a race. Those that thought they would be able to just float in the group as is the norm quickly found themselves in trouble as SlipStream strung out the pack. Crashes happen quickly and often, it seemed that about every other lap there seemed to be somebody hitting the deck, which I also did mid way through the race.
more than half the field did not finish so I guess that shows the difference from years past to this years.
August 22nd, 2007 at 4:27 pm
GOOD effort Brad, just by being there. Glad you did not get hurt!
August 22nd, 2007 at 6:58 pm
Brad, I love posts like this! The neat thing about this race is, I was there!! It was an exciting race. Watching Slipstream on the front; And Mike, Will, and Timmy were strong….but watching you up close racing was awesome! I spent the whole race under the Mercy tent, so I’d have people that would answer my questions!! And they understood racing, and your style. Watching Mike Sayers run down the sidewalk with his bike in two pieces, trying to get to the pit, was something! And watching Mike F. ride to the pit with his shorts ripped about made me cry. But seeing the car come around corner 8, and we were standing on the barriers trying to see, then the whole other side of street made a collective gasp, when you guys went down, stopped my heart. Bike racing is GREAT!! And I was so relieved to see you up and moving towards the finish line, with your shoes in your hand….Then I come back to Spfld and go to a meeting for the volunteers for the Tour of MO, I couldn’t have had a better vacation!!!!!!!!!
August 23rd, 2007 at 10:03 am
A special thanks to every single Springfield and MO representatives that came up to race and watch the race.
Thanks for all the support, I could not believe how many people were cheering me on. Sorry that luck was not on my side, but that race is one big crap shoot especially in the rain.
August 23rd, 2007 at 10:59 am
You continue to do we Grovians proud. Also congrats on the uncle thing.
August 23rd, 2007 at 11:20 am
I used to Love racing in the rain because I fealt that it gave me an advantage over the others, but as I sit here in HOT S.California with a broken collarbone, I was terrified that you guys were even in the race.
As a fan, I didnt care about you winning anymore, just that you were doing what you loved, safely..
That was a LOT of corners!
Cheers,
Brian
proroadaccess.com
August 23rd, 2007 at 3:52 pm
So what are you really sayin’ in your post?
You want to do psycho-cross this winter, for special skills building training, in case it rains again next year?
Racin on the Hill on Labor Day will cure you of any let down from Downers….
August 26th, 2007 at 2:57 pm
Brad, general question for ya. With all this news coming out about new signings with Slipstream-Chipotle for next year, how does your situation look for 2008 and for your team mates? From the currect riders, I only know about Huub Duyn, who’s prolongued his contract for 2 more years. Thanx!