Tucson Bicycle Classic
Tucson Bicycle Classic
15-17 March 2013
Tucson, AZ
15 March – Time Trial, 3.2 miles, start time -12:34:30
Result: 9:12, 12th place, 24 riders.
Out on the other side of Tucson, past Gate’s Pass, cyclists convened for the first day of the TBC. The course was short, with the first half downhill and the next half uphill with a small break in the middle. I think experience of having done this course before would give a huge advantage. It was not an out and back, but just an out. Or a course from start to finish and then an easy ride back. Going into it I knew to relax at first and save the power for the hills, but the duration and intensity of the hills was pretty unexpected. I worked up them and gave it all I had. Enough to finish with an awful sore throat from the dryness and heat, but not enough to feel like I had a secure placing position.
As for the results, which I just saw a few minutes ago, I am right in the middle of the mix, so this will mean some hard work tomorrow on the road race. I am up for the challenge and excited to see how it plays out.
16 March – Road Race, 60 miles, start time – 6:55 am
Result: 10th, finish with 2nd group
GC: 10th
Early morning leaving before the sun even showed sign of rising. It was a fun 20 mile loop that we completed 3 times, with a sprint bonus on the first lap. The group didn’t move much besides small kicks that didn’t stick, the last lap is where the action happened. After a couple attempted breaks and hard pulling through the rollers on the backside some splitting was finally made. I had just lead the group over a couple hills and was sitting back a bit when the girls in front put on a move and being on the wheel of someone couldn’t put on the gas and get around quick enough. A gap formed and the couple girls I was with couldn’t close. We chased for the rest of the lap without much luck. Our group of 5 consisted of 2 that had teammates upfront, so they weren’t going to push too hard. And the 3 of us couldn’t make up for the front groups determination to stay away. So coming to the final hill I ended up in front and was forced to lead our small group up the last few km. Seeing the finish line at about 300m the group moved and I gave it everything, but after some consistent effort I didn’t have much left in my legs to get a good sprint. The race was tough but I learned a lot from the hard work and what it means to miss an opportunity.
Cycling is so different from running, in that groups really matter. A gap can be bridged in running just by a runner putting in a kick and moving up with some extra effort. But in cycling, that extra effort has to be enough to not only bridge the gap but also to fight the wind, go faster then the already flying group in front and shake anyone else on your wheel (unless it’s a teammate of course).
17 March – Circuit Race, 39 miles (7 laps), start time – 6:43 am
Result: 7th, 3rd in print bonus lap for :01sec
Another early morning with a dark warm up, glowing beautiful sky as I wait in line for the porter-potties, and the sun rising at the start line. The only upside was getting it over early and missing the heat that became more intense with the morning sun. It was a good race with a lot of kicks but no break-aways. This kept you awake and the race exciting. So after 7 laps it came down to the last sprint finish. I had decent positioning in the group going into the last turn and up the hill to the last km. Then on the last uphill and about 500m everyone started really kicking and I went with them. My sprint isn’t strong enough to beat the winner Leah Kirchmann, but I gave it all I had and came across the line with a solid 7th place.
GC Overall Result: 7th
It was an overall good race, I moved up strong each day and improved. I learned a lot and with the field becoming more competative with each race, all I can do is be challenged more and push myself to go harder.