Sequim Master A/B 2009 Race Report

To add to Ben's report. I thought when the races were delayed that I wanted to stay and race. But Tonia informed me I wanted to go for a hike out on the spit, So Theo Tonia and I went out on the spit for couple hours. We came back and found the roads dry and people racing. Tonia was OK with me doing the 2:00 masters race, a non-shortened 4 laps 48 miles.

There were about 40 starters including Bob Wade, Tony Ogden we had ridden with once on our team ride. I knew these guys were strong. Pete was in there that was almost like having a teammate. But it was hard to find a strong team. Byrnes had 3 and second assent had a few.

At the end of the first lap as already getting anxious. I rolled off the front and caught someone dangling off the front we had a group of 3. But if was clear it wasn't going to work and we were soon caught by Tony. Later in the second lap just as we turned onto the long 5 mile straight road I saw Tony and Bob both accelerate after something. I followed, but when they eased I cruised by thinking maybe they'd get on my wheel. Instead a Second Ascent rider, Greg Carter, followed me. We soon bridged up to a pair that were off the front. We worked good together and built our lead to 20 to 30 seconds.

After staying away for a lap we lost one of our riders, a Cucina guy. But it was about this time we started to hear splits of 1:10 and 1:25. I guess the pack had given in.

On the last lap, I knew one guy was week, Bryce. He had gotten gapped on a riser on lap 3. The other guy Greg I wasn't sure about he was always steady but he took the shortest pulls he could get away with. Was he just recovering to beat me in the sprint, knowing that I would do more than my share of work until then? Or was he on the edge?

On the little climb before turning onto the long straight 5mi lead into the finish. I saw Bryce letting a gap open I rolled around strongly, not letting the pressure off. I thought we could shed Bryce here. I had thought about attacking them both here. But instead I thought I'll figure out what to do with Greg later. I didn't want Bryce to catch back on so I kept the pace up around the corner onto the 5 mi stretch. Looking back Greg wasn't on my wheel.

I went into TT mode thinking if he was chasing me he would be in the wind too. When I looked back I was completely clear. I put my head down and TT'd the last 5 miles to the finish.

I had put at least 1 minute on my breakaway partners in that last 5 miles and finished at least 2minutes up on the pack.

My first mass start win.
Greg