15 February 2013- Time Trial
Buckeye, AZ
22km Total, out and back course
Start Time: 12:47:30

Result: 5th, 36:39
1st, 34:46

16 February 2013- Road Race
Casa Grande, AZ
63 miles, 100 km , 4 laps of 16 miles
1 climb of 3 km , about 400ft elevation
Start Time: 11:58
 
Result: 1st in Cat. 3 , 9th overall

Official Results:
Category 3 General Classification Results
VOS Results

Very windy day.  Basically the course was a triangle, 2 straight roads with wind blowing head on and from the side, only on the road with the hill and downhill had a tail wind.  First lap was super slow and relaxed with the group getting a feel for the course and no one wanting to work against the wind.  On the first time up the hill a few girls put in a kick and formed a small breakaway group that took almost a full lap to pull back in.  On the second lap was the QOM or GPM … Queen of the Mountian… I didn’t get the overall win, but did get the Cat. 3 win.  The following lap was dreadfully slow with only a couple kicks.  As was the last lap as no one wanted to take the lead and block the wind for the group.  It was all left to the last 3 km hill where the finish was right on top.  I approached the hill near the front (exactly where I wanted to be), and the girls started working hard with just under 3km to go.  I couldnt stay on the group all the way through to the line, but worked hard and got a solid first place for cat 3 which will be good going into tomorrows criterium.

Seperation of First 4:

First: 00:00
Second: 00:06
Third (me): 00:51
Fourth: 01:31

17 February 2013- Criterium
Tempe, AZ
40 minutes
Start Time: 1:20

Result: 4th in Cat 3, 13th overall

Today I went in feeling pretty good and unsure how things would play out.  The course had many turns as it was a sort of figure 8 through downtown Phoenix.  It started off very aggressive and competitive… never stopped.  Quite a contrast to yesterdays sit back and wait race.  Every time we made it to the back stretch there was some kind of surge or kick by a rider.  The girl wearing the first place jersey for the Cat 1/2 Pros lead the group and wouldn’t let any space or attack break her position.  So in the end it came down to the last 200m sprint.  I controlled the situation for other Cat 3s but with an almost security that I had 3rd overall locked in I wasn’t as reactive to be in front for the last stretch.  I gave it my all and pushed, but with all the jostles, sprints and hard turns of the course I was a bit shaken arriving to the line.

Overall it was a great weekend.  I learned a lot about time trial and where I need to work to improve.  The results showed the deciding race in these 3 days.  The rider with strongest time trial held the top spot.  Taking 5th with a significant time gap made it quite difficult even to move up just 2 spots.  Had I been able to start off the first day better I may have been higher on the podium.
The second day road race showed where I really shine and love riding.  The elements of weather, terrain, and race tactics became a game and challenge to push oneself ahead.
The third day of criterium showed the depth and ability of a field with more experience than myself.  I have the strength and ability, but when it comes to technique I only bring my european road riding experience to the table.  Final sprints are fun and I am getting better, but its all about timing … and timing comes with experience.

Now back to work and preparation for the next challenge that awaits me.


Overall Result (General Classification): 3rd
Separation of First 4:

First: 00:00
Second: 00:06
Third (me): 00:45
Fourth: 1:31