Landpark Criterium...Podium!

Distance: ~45mins
Weather: warm, breezy ~65 degrees
Category: W 1/2/3
Course conditions: Closed 1-mile course around a golf course with several chicanes and sharp turns.
Team mates: Jen VM, Karla K, Angela A, Holly R and Mary-Ellen A.
Notable Teams: Dolce Vita, UC Davis, Code3 Racing, Vanderkitten, Metromint, et. al.
Field size: 35+ women

The Plan:
The Easton/SugarCRM/Specialized women's team was the largest team present at this event. Our goal was to animate the race with a series of carefully timed attacks. With the strength and depth of our team, we knew we could control the race. It was also the first race of the NCNCA Premier Series and the team wanted to acquire some points.

Our objectives were to set up M.E. and Karla for several Primes and to ‘practice’ the lead out for the final sprint. Since M.E would be a ‘marked’ sprinter in the field, the team would ‘feign’ M.E. as the team sprinter, when really it was Karla as the designated sprinter. Very sneaky.

The Race:
In respect of Kristy Gough, we rode the first lap neutral and in silence.

From the start the team was at the front of the race and our team attacks were plentiful. Jen started us off with a blistering acceleration and quickly established a gap. The field looked at each other and eventually Vanderkitten and several other individuals reeled JV back into the fold. And that’s when Karla made her counter-attack. A UC Davis rider bridged and the two of them stayed off the front for several laps until the inevitable catch. And just when it seemed the race would settle down for a few moments, the team attacked again and again. The groans could be heard from the field. Angela, Karla, JV and I all made ferocious attacks that successfully severed the field. We successfully took all the lead primes.

In the final 3 laps, Karla jumped on M.E.’s wheel and snagged the last of eight primes. And that’s where the undoing of our plan started. The team was so focused on controlling, attacking, and acquiring primes that we seemed to forget about “resting” for the field sprint. JV kindly reminded M.E and Karla to “recover” and set up for the field sprint. There was a shuffle and unfortunately Jen pulled the field around for 1.5 laps (which made it impossible for her to give Karla her lead-out). After some smart racing, Karla pulled M.E. near the front and it became evident that M.E. would be required to sprint for the win.

I had to smartly bury myself in the field and wait to jump. My legs were not fully recovered from all the earlier efforts and I knew this sprint was going to hurt a lot! Digging deep, I maneuvered out of the field with 350m to go. Unable to pull past the eventual race winner, and just getting nipped at the line, the team settled for 3rd. It was an honorable podium.

It was a great day of racing the team learned a lot: racing is tough; controlling a race takes practice and patience; rest and recovery are very important. This race showed the Easton/SugarCRM/Specialized women are a very strong team. We all left the race feeling the strain of today’s race in our legs.

Congrats to all the ladies who participated.
It was a great day at the races.
Thanks for reading,
Mary Ellen