Day #8 (Friday)

13-14 Road Race

7th Noah
26th Hunter
~50th Imari

A break of three got away and had a scary gap. Noah said that everyone seemed content to let it go because the guy who won the TT and Crit was still in the pack (leaving it all up to him). Hunter attacked to get across but came back. Noah said that he didn't have the strength to jump across but that he felt he could bring it back. He pulled the group around but did close the gap down to something where folks could jump across. Which they did, of course. He was most frustrated, though, that just as he pulled off after pulling for a couple miles (the race was only 15 miles) and coming through the start finish, the announcer called out that the new rider on the front had pulled the break back by himself. Anyway, the group was cut in half, and the attacks in the last uphill mile were tough, but nobody had the oomph to ride away. It was a sprint with 20 or so folks.
Noah took 7th. Second placed 13 year old.

Hunter and Noah rode in great position all day. After Hunter's attack, he drifted to the back, and then when Noah lifted the pace, it put him in difficulty, but he did hang on. At a 180 turn just before the last mile climb, Hunter was caught behind a crash, which took him out of the front group, even though he didn't go down.

Imari fought hard. He came off at about the half way point, but he was moving up tons of places by continuing to race. He flatted on the last lap, though. The wheel truck was up the road, but there were two pits on the course. He went to the pit nearest him, but waited for a guy who was talking to the mechanic to finish his chat. Then he asked for a wheel. 15 or so places went by during that.

15-16
Royce started the day tailgunning and paid for it onthe second lap when he was caught behind a crash that took down 15 people. He didn't go down, but he never caught back to the field. Then again, nobody in that crash was able to do so either. He passed some folks in his chase, but most of the people he caught were tired and dropped and didn't have anything to contribute to getting back up. 100 started, and there were only 20 or so in the lead group at the end. It was a hard race.

Lawson Craddock finished 5th or so after briding to the break. He's having an incredible Nationals (and season).


No racing today (Saturday). Austin's road race is tomorrow. Going to check out his road course this morning.


Waffle House = 1
Denny's = 2
IHOP = 1
Burrito = 5

(will have to repost pictures and video later when I have a better connection)