North Boulder Park Criterium.

So I looked back on the old training diary at the years previous lining up at this race.  Seemed to be the common theme of 'hung in there', 'not my course' and 'finished with the bunch' kinda thing.  This year, being one of the few local races that are USAC sanctioned (and a HUGE thanks to the promoters for doing that for our race) I was motivated for sure, and even busted out the skinsuit for it.  For those out of state, the North Boulder Park Crit has a fair whack of history to it, and I believe was used way back in the famous Coors Classic Stage Race (see historic photo below).

 

It's actually a sweet little course, mostly flat but with some technical elements that keep you on your toes, including a backside narrow alleyway, into a quick chicane before coming back onto the long straight with a slight uphill finish (looks like they are doing it reverse in the pic above).  Being a 'Colorado Classic' the field was strong, and with half of our guys in China for Qinghai right now, we had 6 V Australia jerseys in the race, and Sully who has finished 2nd here the previous two years.  No pressure or anything, but I wanted one of us to win!.

I knew a fourth row start wouldn't cut it, so I gambled and left it in the 39T off the start line as it is slightly uphill to the first left hand turn.  I figured a good clean clip in (thanks Speedplay and their double sided pedal) and an artful weave through the pack would work a treat.  Thankfully the plan worked out great and I was able to slot nicely into the top 15 wheels, and most importantly, see what was happening up the front.    Settling into the race the legs were feeling super good, and the motivation was growing each lap to see a good result at the end of the day.

 Photo Credit: Sportif Images

Going for breaks and looking for moves was the simple but hopefully effective plan for the team, seeing as though we had good numbers.  Midway though the race a good group of a dozen or so had formed and were gaining ground.  Sully was up there, which was great, but a few others still in the bunch regcognized that this was the major split for the day and were eager to bridge.  I was able to latch on and soon enough had bridged the gap and made it into the front group.  By this stage there were 3 riders off the front working furiously, and after a couple of laps to get the breath back, I knew it was straight to the front to start working to bring them back.  Sully was easily out best chance for the sprint finish, and I was well happy to sacrifice my legs for him.

 Photo Credit: Sportif Images

With 11 laps to go there was only myself, Rory and Howes working steady at the front to close the gap, while the rest of the group were content to sit on.  By 4 to go the gap was reducing, and we had caught two of the 3 away, leaving Jorge Espinoza still up the road.  Full credit to the guy, he was flying, and has won this race before and with one lap left still had a 6 second gap.  I was fully in the box trying to rotate behind Alex and Rory who were taking massive pulls, and on the backside the rest of the mob swamped, eager for the sprint.  I latched onto the back barely and Jorge hung on by the a handful of seconds while Sully picked up 2nd...again!  I was well tapped and had no sprint, finishing at the back of the bunch for 11th.

Overall though it was a great day out, the sensations in the legs were good, and I've planned to head out to Superweek for some more racing after unfortunately missing out on racing Cascade at the last minute.  Disappointed not to head back to Bend which is such an awesome part of the world, but Superweek should be a fun time nonetheless.