The course would consist of a roughly 10 mile loop with one notable climb and descent per lap. As in the TTT the wind would play a huge roll in deciding the outcome of the race as it was blowing quite strongly towards the east. The course is shown below:
The race started and we headed right into the headwind. The field down to a crawl as the guys at the front had to plow through the brutal wind. Eventually we made the right turn to get out of the headwind, but the crosswind was still a factor that we had to deal with. To make things worse there were some huge potholes in the road that caused some sketchyness throughout the field. Next up was another right turn that treated us with the gift of a tailwind. Thanks to the tailwind we were able to cruise around 30mph through this stretch. The field was sticking together for the most part throughout the first lap. Unfortunately all good things must come to an end and we had to take another right and head south. The wind wasn't as noticeable through the next part of the course, but it would soon rear its ugly head again as we took the right turn back towards the finish line. As if the headwind wasn't enough there was a tough little climb that lead up to the finish with the finish line coming right at the top of the hill.
After the first lap the field was still together for the most part. The second lap, however, would bring a lot more action. As we took the turn into the tailwind Zack and a few other guys attacked. They ended up getting away in a group of 5, but the damage that they did to the field was substantial. The field exploded into a bunch of groups with about 5-10 riders each. The race suddenly got way tougher.
At the time of the split I was in what was probably the 3rd group of around 8 guys. I was content to let the break go, but we had to catch the 2nd chase group. Luckily all of the guys around me had the same thought and we worked together to close the gap. We were able to catch the 2nd group during the climb up to the finish line to form a bigger group of around 15ish guys.
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| "Team Gravitas" finishing the 2nd lap. Photo by Andy Jessop |
The break was still a good ways up the road as we forged our way through the headwind and crosswind. As it did on the 2nd lap, the tailwind was about to cause the field to go boom. Some guys attacked off the front and I quickly realized that this had the potential to be a decisive move. I went with them and we quickly opened up a gap on the rest of the field behind us. After the dust settled we had a group of 5 riders with a nice little gap over the rest of the field. Meanwhile the break away of 5 were out of sight down the road.
After a mile or so the group of 5 was down to a group of 3 as two guys went solo off the front of our chase group. My legs weren't up to chasing them down at the moment, so we let them go in the hopes of catching them before the finish. Now our primary goal was to not let the group behind us catch back up.
As we hit the bottom of the finishing climb the group of 2 that broke away was just ahead of us. Unfortunately the group chasing us was also right behind us. Everyone was emptying whatever they had left in the tank. I was able to ride away from the 2 guys that I had been with previously, but unfortunately not all was well. As we neared the top of the climb I saw one of the guys from the group behind us flying up the road. As he passed I let out a , "Noooooooo." as my legs went zub-zub in the attempt to stay ahead of him. He flew right on by me with probably 50 meters left to the finish line. Fortunately that was the only damage that was done and I got over the finish line without anyone else passing me. I ended up coming across the line in 9th, which I was quite happy with given the circumstances of the race.
After the race it was time to watch the rest of the day's races and get ready for the trip to South Bend to get ready for Notre Dame's criterium.
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