Let the racing begin!

San Dimas Stage Race Results:

Time Trial: Bad

Road Race: 9th

Criterium: 7th

Picture of my team this year

This weekend was the San Dimas Stage Race.  The first step to big national stage racing of the season.  First day was the Time Trial which is a 4.25 mile uphill TT.  I’ll just say that didn’t go so well.  But I focused on my strengths and what I could do in the Road Race and Criterium.

That worked out well for me.  Yesterday in the road race I finished 9th.  It was a tough circuit of 8 laps with a kicker hill of about 200m.  I stayed in and comfortable through the attacks and set up well for the finishing sprint.  My goal was top 10 for the race, so 9th was very solid.

Today in the Criterium the race started fast, but nothing I couldn’t handle.  There was an early break about 15minutes in and I made an attack to bridge to it.  We stayed away about 2 laps and then the group caught us on an intermediate sprint lap (a lap within the race where the first to the line can gain an extra time bonus for the overall race).  The rest of the race remained controlled with a few attacks and a couple other breaks, but they didn’t last long and were soon pulled back.  I set up very well for the finish and went into the last turn in 5th position.  Coming out of the fast turn it was a matter of giving it my all and sprinting to the line.  I was passed by 2 girls but held the 7th spot over the line.  It was a fun and fast race.  Each day I am getting faster and stronger.

Next week, wednesday starts Redlands Bicycle Classic, a 5 day stage race in Redlands California.  I am excited for the tough race and know I can perform well.