We stayed at Mike's amazing house at Jay Peak, just across the border from Canada, and only about 20-30 minutes from Sutton. When we weren't racing, we hung out on the deck, ate, and tried to get some rest. Here's the view from his deck looking north to Quebec.
This race is well-organize from start to finish all the way down to the mobile porta-johns which are moved from staging area to staging area.
I would show you a picture of the yellow line, but we learned that in Quebec, the yellow line is irrelevant. In fact, on a 55mph descent I got passed by guys on the other side of the white line all the way on the left side of the road.
Stage 1: An uphill prologue which climbs to the base of the ski area. I had a good prologue last year, and was hoping for a repeat, but it was not to be. I starting blowing with about 1-2 k to go, and had to back off. I thought of the Jens Voigt line - something like legs do what I say. Didn't work. I was pretty dejected after that ride, and Mike had me on suicide watch. Mike had a pretty good ride though. He came flying by me with a little more than 500m to go, and there was nothing I could do to stay with him. Carl Reglar won the stage in style with a gutsy move practically from the gun.
Stage 2: TT - Another disappointing stage for me. Mike put in a respectable TT though, and a huge improvement over last year.
Stage 3: Hilly Circuit Race - At some point during this stage, my legs came back to me. 3 laps with about 500' of climbing on each lap and a screaming 55 mph descent. Mike was working hard at the front, and trying to get away. On the last lap, he was in a pretty good move with Roger Aspholm and Jonathan Card, but it didn't last too long. However, the efforts led to the field getting split, and we came into the finish with only 30 or so guys. Coming into the finish, I felt like I had good legs. Mike did his thing - went to the front and strung out the field. With about 200 meters to go Troy Kimball jumped and I went after him. I tried to get around him for the win, but didn't make it. I was psyched to grab 2nd and get on the podium. In fact, this was an all American podium with David Hildebrand, another CT guy in 3rd.
Stage 4: The classic 90k road race - this stage is a big deal to the Canadians. The conventional strategy is to sit in, conserve, and wait for the selection to be made going over Scenic before the run into the finish. Mike and I decided we were going to be aggressive and make Westwood work. We also figured 2 minutes on GC could be made up if they let us go. As it turned out the Expo guys had a similar plan. David attacked repeatedly early on, forcing Andreas, Troy and Roger to work at the front. Then I went. Steve Proulx bridged up to me, which was the kiss of death as he was sitting high on GC. As soon as we were brought back, Mike countered with Todd Bowden and a Canadian dude. Andreas and Troy put in some serious time on the front to bring them back. Oh well. Now, recover for the climb. As we approached the climb, I worked hard to get really good position at the front of the field, and I would have held it but for the complete irrelevance of the yellow line. The field took over the entire road - gutter to gutter. I felt pretty good on the climb, and made the selection over the top. We had about 15 guys, and I was pumped to see the 5k to go sign. I had good legs and knew I could make a run at the finish, especially since it was uphill for 500m + to the line. As we came into Town (1k to go), a group of about 10 guys, including Mike caught back. Just as the road tilted up to the finish, an attack went early, and then Roger and a Canadian guy jumped with about 400m to go and held it for 1st and 2nd. I jumped hard with about 250-300m to go and gave it everything I had to take 3rd. Here's the podium shot:
Mike finished 11 on the stage and 15th on GC! We raced our bikes!
Mike and I then took our prize money to Town - stinky cheese, double espressos, pastries (the croissant with white chocolate and berries was unbelievable) and gifts for the girls.
Highs and lows of bike racing experienced this past weekend. It didn't go according to plan, but we "adjusted," raced our bikes, and walked away with podium spots in both road races and Mike's very respectable 15th on GC.
-Monte
Nice write up Monte. I lost time on the prologue. DIdn't feel ready but knew the training hours were in for both of us and the legs would catch up eventually. Felt a little better on the TT and actually took :23 seconds off prior years time. Circuit race was bunched up at times and really boring until I found the right time to race rather than ride. Passing the leader as he shot me a strange look to counter his little attack was a strange feeling. It didn't take long for folks to bridge up but the group thinned out a bit from the move. Off the front another time then in final kilometers I WAS the front. Riders were content watching me pull, tried to string it out as long as possible. NIce 2nd place finish for Monte.
ReplyDeleteRR: Monte took an early flyer with some company, I countered alone then a couple bridged after a few miles. We stayed away but never got more than :30-:45 seconds. We lost a man on a small climb and saw the field coming after 20 minutes. We eased up, got brought back in and decided to recover for big climb coming up. 2 mile climb, ave 7-9% was tough but not crazy. Earlier efforts took some spring out of my legs but I still managed to stayed behind lead group and not get dropped. Kept going at my own pace and caught back on with a few riders. Sprint started and could not get to the front for Monte but just went as hard as I could and passed many that left for the line too . I didn't even see Monte finish but it was great to find another podium for Cycle Fitness.
Looking forward to next year.....Mike