Well in stark contrast to what was an exciting Cat1/2 race the Cat3 race at Ceraland from my perspective was anything but. Tortuga started with 5riders (Fryska, Palmer, Parrish, Parry, Saccone) in a good 60+ field so controlling the day was a little unlikely. I judged that as usual the race would be settled in the last 20mins so I bedded in toward the back with occasional jaunts up to and off of the front. Mssrs Palmer and Fryska were detemined to make something happen though and as I poked my head above the straining bodies I oft time saw them off the front in a variety of groups. As expected though the race was all togther with about 15mins to go at which point Tom and myself were going to move on up and try play a part in the end game. Sadly this wasn’t to be as inexplicably the race completely shut down for the last 4laps and we proceeded to dawdle around at 20mph (with a few crashes) until the literally half a lap to go when the full on dash to line commenced. Fryska managed to weave his way through into the top 15 but those of us without the ability or the balls (good or bad thing- you decide) to work our way through were left to wonder why we all raced like a bunch of pussies. Suffice to say if I had been up front I would have attacked the 20mph ‘race’ but couldn’t find a way through the kerb to kerb gutless wonders. A disappoinintg race all around!
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Ceraland – “The white knuckle, final 3 laps…”
The final laps of Ceraland were certainly “Nascar intense” (as usual). My teammates worked their tails off covering dangerous moves as best as they could throughout the race – not to mention JK’s great effort in the winning break. With three laps to go it was my turn to contribute.
There were still a handful of riders left in the field with a formidable sprint – and plenty of teammates to lead them out accordingly. I could not key off of everyone – just not possible at this point in the race. So, I had to pick a few wheels that I knew could navigate through the field and drill it at the end when necessary (Curtis T. and Kevin A. of TX RH). As expected, others had the same strategy in mind. With some careful acceleration through small gaps, a few bumps here and there, and judgment of where the wind was coming from – I was able stay on Kevin’s wheel (whom at this point was glued to Curtis). Perfect – a locomotive leading out another locomotive (with me in tow).
With two laps go, it was clear that the main break of 7 has split into two. Realizing that their man (Kehrberg) was no longer in the winning break (and still having a few guys that can sprint in the field) – DogFish formed a train at the front and drilled it for the next 1.5 laps. This was a good thing. The higher the speed the safer the ride into the finish (I know, it sounds ass-backwards, but it’s true). At this point, the front of the field was in a single pace-line formation (the DogFish train, followed by the two TX RH demons, me and the rest of the field).
With a half a lap to go the DogFish train loses steam and Curtis takes over – drilling it hard with Kevin A. in tow followed by yours truly. As this is happening, I hear behind me “JASON @$%!!!!!!” from Aaron Hubbell of Bacardi/Nuvo. As I learned after the race: unbenounced to Jason S. (Hubbell’s teammate), Todd C. (resident “pro” ridding in the colors of his former Subway team) was leading Hubbell out. As Todd was cutting through the field (we were going 30+ mph at this point) with Hubbell in tow – they pass Jason. Jason immediately slices in behind Todd (not knowing Hubbell was right behind Todd) almost taking each other down – that’s bike racing. I really did not care what was happening behind me at this point. My single focus was staying on the TX RH duo.
Fearing the “swarm” effect and realizing that the field sprint is now for 4th rather than 8th (part of the break is getting absorbed by the hard-charging field one by one now), Kevin A. unleashes a wicked jam sling-shooting himself out of CT’s draft into the sweeping turn (with me in tow). With slight pause of the pedal – due to the high speed into the sweeping turn (clipping a pedal would have been disastrous at this point) – the sprint between Kevin and I begins up the slight rise. Half way up the rise – a rider (reminisce of the break) is rocketing backwards faster than Kevin and I are propelling ourselves forward. Kevin dodges the rider to the left as I dodge right – creating enough of a gap allowing Kevin A. of TX RH to take the field sprint for 4th (almost catching Declan Doyle of Bacardi/Nuvo at the line) followed by me for 5th.
Another 200 meters and we would have easily caught and passed the winning move. Kudos go out to the Bacardi/Nuvo girls for the win and a special Kudos to my good friend Declan Doyle for the strong finish (we will swallow your ass next time Doyle). I was pleased with my performance (considering it’s still early in the season) and more importantly with the team’s performance today. We stuck to our pre-race plan and accomplished our goal of having a Tortugan in the top 5. In the 18 years I have been racing – rarely have I seen a newly-formed team gel this nicely (without conflicting egos) in their first race together. Yes, we could have made better decisions during the race – but that’s the nature of bike racing – always a work in progress. Contrary to what some @#$%!? think out there (you know who you are) – Tortuga/Big Brothers is one of the main players this year. Our next show is in Anderson. See you then.
Man-up or get out of the way,
Karim
Ceraland – no Disneyland
Ugly – the best one word description of the 2006 Ceraland Cat 1/2/3 race. I’m not sure if it would have been better to wear body armor or ear plugs. This certainly was no family event, although there were many times I heard about someone’s mother…
Bob’s race description was accurate, just missing the fine details of the verbage (or garbage) being strewn about the course. Understandably in the heat of battle, and man it was hot (86 degree temps fueled by a huge, fast field of flying testosterone), tempers can flare, but that should be it. Rumors of riders deliberately being bumped off the course and a post-race fist fight are way beyond the passion that should be seen by those competing on two wheels. We’re racing at an amateur level and it should be for fun.
Nonetheless, I had fun. The team rode well, and I heard post race satisfaction mixed with dissatisfaction from the squad, which is a good thing. I also know come race time that Tortuga will speak with our legs, not our mouths, and as the season unfolds it will get louder…