Forest Park Criterium Training Series Presented by Cyclonauts and the City of Springfield Springfield, MA March 11, 2007
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It is that time of year again. I traveled over to Springfield, MA this past weekend to receive my first punishment of the year. My choice of pain would be to do a spring training series that was hosting a criterium. The course was 1.2 miles in length mostly flat with three 90 degree turns and one chicane. This coursed was situated in a city park and had pretty decent pavement. The turns were pretty tight with a long wide back stretch and an even wider front stretch for the finish.
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I chose to enter the B race (Cat 2,3,4) as well as the A race (Cat 1,2,3). The B race was my focus since I knew what I had for legs going into it. The race started well with a good constant pace which kept all attackers at bay. Several guys made valiant attempts but the pace was to high to for them to build any lead. I did my part and stayed out of the wind as hoped. Heading into the final 2 laps I moved forward and starting fighting for position. All going well I was third wheel coming out of the last turn. Just then it all happened. The lead guy ran out of steam pulled off and would you believe it but the guy in front of me realized he was out front to early so grabbed his brakes out of spite. Of course I had to check up and get stuck in a way to high gear forcing me to fight for life to get the cranks turning as guys started coming up both sides of me. I managed to salvage a seventh place finish out of the deal.
The A race turned out to be more like survival of the fittest from my standpoint. Two guys went off the front on the second or third lap. The field kind of sat there and watched to see if the break would become of anything. Neither guy had any teammates to hold the field up so no one really took up chase. Then after about ten laps or so is when everyone realized those two guys were not coming back. From this point on everything was a blur. The chase was on and the field was strung out. I used up all my juice in the first race and did all I could to hold on. When it came time for the sprint I just buried my head on the wheel ahead and pushed for the finish. I don’t think I ever got out of the saddle we were going so fast and strung out single file. I think I managed a top 15 but all I cared about was getting to the car for food. I must enjoy punishment to do races like that in exchange for hopefully some good mountain bike fitness this summer. Big thanks to the guys from Cylonauts club and the city of Springfield for the good racing. Also whoever you were from Team NERAC who went for it early and won the A race congratulations.
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