The Good: The team is starting to show it's strength; we had a man in every significant move today, and there were consistently several NOW boys at/near the front on patrol. No more participant racing.
The Bad: There was no organization in the last few laps, We had the manpower to take control and we didn't. We've all shown we can be there; now it's time to be there TOGETHER and take the race by the balls, pardon my French.
The Ugly: Crash, last lap, off Rahsaan's wheel (maybe his fault, maybe the guy next to him, all I know is all of sudden i was faced with a speedbump made of an SC VELO rider, and I hadn't the presence of mind to attempt a bunny hop. Michael and I hit the deck. We both survived fairly unscathed, but our race was over. Bummer.
Apologies to the team for burning my legs with a suicide bridge attempt up to Michael; what can I say, I thought that break was the one, and I figured two was better than one. Most depressing moment of 2009 racing: after covering 95% of the distance from pack to break, dangling 25 meters off the back of the break, legs cramping, lungs burning (how do you guys ride in this smog!?) knowing there was no way I was going to close it. Runner up: after sitting up for a half lap, legs barely able to turn, seeing the pack barreling down on my single file from head to toe. Of course the only fast laps of a s-l-o-w pro123 crit happen right after I spend 3-4 laps off the front solo. Great. Note to self: Sprinter, sprinter, sprinter, for the love of god SIT IN.
For all the carnage, miscalculation and disappointment though, this race is a major stepping stone. We were missing some big guns today (Erik, Brock, & Eric), but this team still rode like we belonged in that race. Let's build on that.
Cheers,
Nick
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