Barry Wolf Grand Prix
Racers: Stephen Leece, Danny Heeley, Aaron Schneider, Corey Farrell, Cory Greenberg, Kit Karzen, Danny Katz, Adam Masters, Sergio Hernandez
Places: Sergio Hernandez 1st, Danny Heeley and Cory Greenberg top 20
So I think this is my first race report since I was last on NOW about 4 years ago so please bear with me. ;)
The Barry Wolf Grand Prix was a day we all had been waiting for since the beginning of the season. Not only was it the Criterium State Championship but also our very own club race so there was no doubt that this was our day and that we came to WIN despite most of us standing in the sun for 2+ hours earlier in the day.
Being the Criterium State Championship the competition was top notch and with the rules being changed and making the title available to UCI continental teams the field had its share of pros going after the title including last year’s defending State Champion Rahsaan Bahati! In our pre-race meeting I told the boys that we needed to step it up and win! No more getting showed up by the girl’s U25 team anymore especially after Kendall won her second big race of the season. I also urged that we needed at least two guys in every move since we had numbers on our side and if it came down to a sprint we would lead out Heeley with Karzen sweeping his wheel with the option of sitting up around the last turn or going for it if Heeley wasn't there.
"The Race" It was the hottest day of the year by far and the pace was even faster. Attacks were going off from turn one and as I directed we were on top of everything. I could see the pain on everyone’s face including former Pro Tour rider Hilton Clark and we were only 20 minutes into the race. We were in for the longest 75 minutes ever, "ehhhhhh" like Heeley and Farrell would say! Breaks were coming and going, going and coming, and it was all so fast I couldn't even give you details of who was in what. Finally a legit break separated itself from the field of about 25 strong with a good 3rd sitting on. Danny Heeley and I were in the selection so I was happy with that and made sure we did our part to stick the break. Unfortunately or fortunately we were caught but I hit out again which caused a shuffle in the field and we had gained Cory Greenberg with me and Heeley holding on! As I looked around I was happy to see that my friend Rahsaan was nowhere to be seen but Matt Rice had decided to join the party which was no bueno. The break was now down to about 20 strong riders.
The boys were looking great in the break and I knew we had the upper hand with more guys than any other team, we were sitting pretty! I made sure to sit on Matt Rice's wheel just to hit it a little harder every time he pulled off to put a sting in his legs for the finish. As the pace and heat increased the break decreased and Hilton Clark was one of the victims, beautiful!!! Greenburg and Heeley were incredible the whole day and never skipped a pull. I honestly couldn't have won without them, as I started to sit on the back with 4 to go, my ninos worked away. Somewhere along the way with 3 to go a break of 2 got away and they were distancing themselves with every pedal stroke. As I looked up off of the last wheel the duo had a straight on us with 2 to go! I can't lie I started to freak out and almost jump from where I was but like clockwork Greenberg and Heeley were on the front and moving fast. With a lap to go Heeley made a monster pull bringing the break a half straight away. Coming fast into turn 3 I new that this was my only chance and I jumped with half a lap to go. Coming out of turn 3 like a slingshot I knew I had to beat the 2 man breakaway to the last turn if I wanted to win. Diving into the last turn I launched my sprint and approached the line with 4 bike lengths to spare, VICTORY was ours at last!
Congrats to Kendall Ryan and her girls for picking up the title and awesome teamwork. Also thank you to Linda Smith for running the show and making the day possible as well as everyone who helped. Thank you to all of our amazing sponsors (NOW) (Specialized) (SRAM) (GU) to name a few, we couldn't do it without you and here's to more victories on the road, cheers!
-Sergio Hernandez
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