Check the Champ out, some serious kick

Dana Point Grand Prix Pro Men's NRC Bicycle Race from SoCalCycling.com on Vimeo.

Tour of St. Louis Run Down

Great weather was upon us for another weekend of racing. Saturday was a new course held downtown that was pretty straight forward. A guy from KC got off the front and was able to stick for the win. In the field sprint I was bit further back than I would have liked and didn't have legs to close on anyone. I finshed in 14th place. I'm happy with that but I know I can do better. DEVIN finished 3rd and I've said this before but dude is a ROCK STAR. He is killing it in the 3s to bad he will moving on up as I have enjoyed racing with him.


Today, we were at Carondelet racing on a familiar course (Tues Crit) that was extended out to make it a circuit race. A couple breaks tried getting away early but nothing would stick. In the last 5 laps Devin landed in the winning break. Alittle earlier when he was out there I made my way to the front to slow things down. I was up there with a Mesa rider (Matt F.) who also had a guy in the break and we both had the same intentions up there. Out of the field sprint I was again a bit boxed in but I finished 12th in the race.

For the weekend I was just out of the money and only a few places away from reaching my goal of a top ten finish. I have a couple tweaks I will make to my tactics and see if that will land me up there. I am happy with where I am at now though.

I'll be adding a picture tab soon.

BAM

rough weekend at Hermann

Title sums it up. Lots of hills and I didn't have what it takes to compete. Great weekend for The Hub though. Heine placed 3rd in the ominium powered by 2nd and 5th place finishes. Grman also had a great weekend placing 7th in the omnium. Devin flatted on the 2nd lap but was marking the Mesa ominium leaders every move. Mark is animal and did a great job keeping the field in check. Pretty awesome that any of those guys could have went with the break but the goal today was to get Heine in a break and the team was successful in doing that.

More training and longer rides are instore for me for future RR's. I knew this year would be every bit of tough me in the 3s. Have to keep fighting.

The 4's also had a really good races. Rock finished 2nd in the 4/5 ominium. Joe finished 5th in the 4's road race. Bill and Eddy both terrorized the field. GOOD RIDE BILL!!

Bikes are clean and ready for Tour of StL.

Must be the weather

Last Tuesday it was a bit chilly and just a gloomy day for the Tues Worlds. I didn't really feel like riding today but I had not been on the bike since last Wednesday. I figured if I'm racing this weekend I should get out to wake the legs up. Devin tried getting into a few breaks early on. Once he was out there Alex and I went to the front to ride tempo to give the break some room. We were up there for almost a full lap before others came around. A few laps later Devin lost contact with the group and rejoined the field. Fast forward to last lap, I'm on Devins wheel with Grman behind me, we take the outside line coming up the hill. Devin comes out the saddle and I lose his wheel, he puts like 2 bike lengths on me and I couldn't catch back on to try and shoot out from behind him. All I could hear from behind was Grman yelling "SPRINT CHRIS!!!!!!" I felt like I was moving in slow motion, no one came around me but I like said I couldn't catch Devin. So the last two weeks out the field sprint I'm right there. Still need more time on the bike and I'll be ready to hopefully make some noise. Didn't eat again today, so I did not feel the greatest after the race. Have to really work on that for my week day rides.

Red LINED

I had a good ride tonight at the Tues Night Crit. Devin got in a break at the 46 minute mark but the next time we came around the sign had 3 to go up. A shock to everyone I believe is that the break stayed away and Devin finished third! Dude is officially a Rock Star, I mean anytime he shows up he is definitely good for a top 5. On the last lap coming up the hill I punched it and I had Alex or Dave on my wheel gave a pretty good lead out for them. I was only a few bike lengths behind them at the finish. If I had to put a number on it I would say I was 11th or so. Great race but my last effort red lined me and I ended purging all after the race. Definitely didn't eat properly to race today.

Hillsboro and Tilles results

Not to much to say about my race at Hillsboro Saturday. This was my first race in the Cat 3 ranks here. We were scheduled for 66. On the first lap one of our guys (Mark) got into a break that actually stuck the entire race. Once he was gone in the break Hub guys just soft pedaled on the front of the pelaton allowing the break to gain valuable seconds on the field. I held on for about half way through the second lap and then hit the fan. I rode in with fellow Hubbers Dan and Dave. We called it day after 44 miles. Mark crossed the line in 5th place, Devin I believe 16 and Ryan around 25. Good day for the Hub.

Today, I was just hoping to actually finish after the Hillsboro blow up. I lined it up for the 3/4 race. We were on tap for 50 minutes plus 4 laps. El groupo remained el compacto most of the race. A few guys tried breaking away but nothing stuck. Through the entire 50 minutes I felt very good and even worked in the top 5 positions for a few laps. In the final four laps I started to move towards the front with 2 go and with one to go I was sitting like fourth wheel. This would prove to be to far up because by the time we made 3/4 arounds the course I was FIRST wheel heading up to the final left before the finish. Right now I don't have the kick to be able to hold that position and lay it down from that far out. So as we entered the turn guys swarmed around me and I came out the saddle to salvage a 12th place finish. Devin cruised in for 3rd, again he has been killing it and will continue put it down. I leave that race feeling pretty good knowing that my legs are coming around.

WeD Hub Ride

FAST FAST FAST FAST, need I say more. I was right in the mix tonight always upfront and took a few pulls through out the ride. The ride shattered a few gents luckily I was already upfront just sitting in when the alot of the damage was being done. I felt good tonight still unsure what to expect for the weekend. A race this size anything can happen as far as the pace goes. Next few days I'll hit the trainer or short ride outside before lining it up Saturday.