Back East: Donaldson Center

Seems we have been caught some sort of weather bad luck because this was the fifth wet and nasty condition race was have done in a row. Like usual it was nice and wind out at the Donaldson center and a nice thunderstorm dumped rain on us for getting dressed and warming up. The race even got postponed due to some lightening. Lucky for me I got to enjoy the heated seats of Jamie’s BMW 5 series to keep me warm.

We knew that the race was going to be tough because there was a full Marco Polo squad who is over in the US preparing for the Tour of Georgia, plus Ted King from Bissel, Robbie King of Rite Aid and a few DLP guys. Pat told Duncan and me that we probably wouldn’t be put in ideal situation today and might have to settle for second because the possibility to get out manned.

The race was 8 laps and near the end of the second one a group got up the road. Coming up the hill by the start finish area I bridged the gap. Once in the group everyone was working hard to stay away and the super windy conditions where putting a hurting on everyone. After a handful of laps being up the road and fairly large group made its way up to us and boy was I happy to see Duncan in that. I figured I’d get to relax a little.

I was wrong because not very long after the two groups combined a fresh Marco Polo guy attacked and Ted King went with him. Seeing that Duncan had just pulled reacted and jumped to Ted’s wheel. The three of us quickly got a good gap and were heading into the last lap. Each of us was hesitant to pull hard because we knew it was going to be a fight at the end and the wind could be a big factor.

With two miles to go the Marco Polo guy showed his cards and attacked into the cross wind section. Ted quickly followed and made his way to the wheel and I was on Ted’s. From there on, no one would really pull and it was imminent that there would be a match sprint. With no one willing to lead the sprint out it seemed like it took for ever to get to the line.

I held the right side of the road while watching the two over my left shoulder. About 250 meters out the Marco Polo guy jumped and got in front of me while Ted was on the left of me so I was essentially boxed in. I slowed for a moment to move around them to my life and then popped probably the best sprint of my life to get them with my bike throw at the line. It was one of the best feelings as a bike racer I’ve ever had.

The second group came down to a sprint with Duncan ending up 6th. Pat said that the race was so hard that not many people finished and he was one of the last guys finishing up at 16th. The next day someone told me there should have been UCI points for that race. It was awesome that the east coast group has had continued success holding it down!