Newton VCL - May 13
Posted: Wed May 13, 2015 8:54 pm
Newton is easily the most difficult and selective of all the VCL courses. It's a race the heavier set folks like to skip, and the rest of us just have to suffer through. Tonight we were in for 16 laps of roughly two and a half minutes, of which half is a steep climb. The Wheelers crew had a pre-race plan to support yours truly. I've gone well at this course before, so I tried to step up. Pre-race jitters came on cue, two hours to race time, and I attempted the anxious energy to positive energy conversion, to no avail.
On the start line, the RH crew was well represented. Jordan Landholt was the dangerman I was tasked with marking; we were hoping a sizzling Tuesday TT the night before might make him more mark-able. Famous last words. On lap two he ramped it up going into the climb and I lasted until about half way up, and then could hold his wheel no longer. The race devolved into a 14 lap race for second. Kudos to Jordan, an unbelievable performance. Look for him at Nats. I was hoping that the remaining riders would dwindle as the laps amassed, and I might be able to make up a small selection contesting the finish. It kinda happened that way, and despite Trevor and ARuss doing some serious work for my benefit, lap after lap of following the punch-king Cody Canning as he kicked to try and create separation left me tasting copper and crosseyed in the last quarter of the race. Big ups to Trev and Andrew for their selflessness throughout the race. A better set of teammates, I could not ask for. I left it all out there, but found myself lost as the sprint began on the last lap, only to cruise across the line in the 5-10 range. Kudos again to Mick and Marc, and all the volunteers and Marshalls for making the race possible. BIg thanks for your work...Next up...Saturday World Champs, 9am at the OBB parking lot.
Geoff
On the start line, the RH crew was well represented. Jordan Landholt was the dangerman I was tasked with marking; we were hoping a sizzling Tuesday TT the night before might make him more mark-able. Famous last words. On lap two he ramped it up going into the climb and I lasted until about half way up, and then could hold his wheel no longer. The race devolved into a 14 lap race for second. Kudos to Jordan, an unbelievable performance. Look for him at Nats. I was hoping that the remaining riders would dwindle as the laps amassed, and I might be able to make up a small selection contesting the finish. It kinda happened that way, and despite Trevor and ARuss doing some serious work for my benefit, lap after lap of following the punch-king Cody Canning as he kicked to try and create separation left me tasting copper and crosseyed in the last quarter of the race. Big ups to Trev and Andrew for their selflessness throughout the race. A better set of teammates, I could not ask for. I left it all out there, but found myself lost as the sprint began on the last lap, only to cruise across the line in the 5-10 range. Kudos again to Mick and Marc, and all the volunteers and Marshalls for making the race possible. BIg thanks for your work...Next up...Saturday World Champs, 9am at the OBB parking lot.
Geoff