|
|
Oschner Spring Classic (30+), 2002
by Paul Nilson
I did my first race of the year, 30+ Sunday. I was the only Crono in the
small-for-the-day field of 28. (60 started cat 3s!) I was careful to try to
cover every significant break early. About halfway through the race, a 5-man
break formed with different team members, Todd Miller for Great Dane, John
Fleckenstein for Mack, A Red Army dude, and some other really lean, tanned
and strong dude from the team that split off from NOVA. I was SO stoked to
make the break! The guys were cracking my legs and I could barely take my
(weak) pulls, until the break got 45 seconds, then we sort of settled in.
(NOVA and Ochsner were noticeably absent from the break, I believe those
teams each had 2 guys on the start, and were very active at the front early
in the race.) I recovered a little on 2 laps to go, but when Todd Miller
made a *ferocious* jump from last in line, just past the bottom of the hill
on the last lap, I couldn't respond. He flew to the far side of the road so
fast I just wanted to stop and watch him ride. (It kind of felt like that
anyway) Amazing strength. Red Army dude jumped from 2d spot, I got his
wheel, and when he faltered at the top of the hill I gave my final
acceleration going into the last turn and broke free of him, then I just
tried to keep the speed up--and held on for 2nd place. I actually won a real
baseball cap! I think Fleckenstein and the formerly-NOVA guy were real
sprinters and were watching each other too closely. Anyway, I am SO glad to
have made the break and that I didn't get dropped out! Woo-Hoo! Let the
racing season begin!
|
|
