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Utah Cyclocross #7 |
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Team Bikeman -
Race Reports
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Written by Dave Leikam
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Friday, 24 November 2006 |
Utah Cyclocross Series Race #7
Wheeler Farm
Murray, UT
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This was the last race at the Wheeler Farm venue and the course was another long one with lap times in the 9 to 10 minute range. The weather was cold and clear with temps in the 25 degree range at the start. There were a few more technical bits with tight off camber turns and a creek crossing, a right side dismount to run up and barriers set up on a turn. Good stuff.
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Again, I employed my recent strategy of taking fourth or fifth wheel. From the start I was pegged and struggled to hang on to the lead group. After settling in to a pace, I moved to the front in an attempt to slow things up just a bit but, no good. I was passed by Dave Cole and another rider who proceeded to gap the rest of the field. The rest of the race was pretty unremarkable as I held position in about fourth place.  | | click to enlarge |
I would pass a few and be passed by others. I rode well for the most part and made no huge mistakes. I blew the remount in the barriers once, just about dumped it in the single track and my personal favorite, I laid the bike down in the right side off camber dismount. It was a bit frosty and slick, but the upside was that I kept a hand on the bar for a quick recovery for the run up to maintain position. I rode as hard as I could, but just didn’t have the legs to catch the leader. He rode a great race from the start.
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On the final stretch to the line, I stood to hammer out the last 50 meters. As I accelerated, I passed a lapper who decided to sprint with me. Whah? OK, no big deal. I got out front and heard a commotion behind me and there was a bump on my back wheel. I looked back to see a three man pile up that included one of my main rivals. He may have pipped me at the line if not for the crash. In the end, I finished fourth and met me goal of finishing ahead of Dave and Seth. These guys are the ones who I am duking it out with for the series title. Dave is still two points ahead of me after this week, so I have some work to do. The best seven races count for the series final and I have a DNF and one fairly sad score while Dave has missed one race. He has a clear advantage as it stands today, but these races are very dynamic so with two races left, just about anything can happen. Stay tuned. Check out the results at Utahcyclocross.com.
Thanks for reading.
Dave
Photos by: Tracee Leikam
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