Fort Dodge Trisport
State Crit Champ. 2010
It was a pretty hot day, mid to upper 80's and a bit humid. Not a huge turn out for the race, but enough to make it a race (23 total showed up to contest the race for state champion title). Full race report coming soon. Sneak peak, Travis soloed the last 3.5 laps, finished several hundred yards ahead of the group. I (Ben Acree ended up with 8th). I had 14.48 miles (for 25 laps) / avg. heart rate 181 with a max of 201 / 25.8 avg. speed.
Travis Jass race report-
Near perfect temp (in my opinion), and only a little humidity, coupled with a slight wind greeted us for the State Crit Championship in Cedar Rapids. Ben and I lined up along with 20ish others for a 6pm start. We tried to strategize what to do in different situations, and marked a few strong riders in the field. From the whistle, pace was quick but manageable. We stuck to the front as best we could, and a few laps in a good solid tempo was being maintained by the bunch, nulling some of the aggressive tactics. A prime was called and the pace went up some before an HBA rider got off the front to collect the booty. Only a couple laps separated the first and second prime, and I was second wheel when it was announced. I knew I was following an inexperienced rider so I called up to him that if anyone jumps for the prime to let them go as the good working group would catch them again shortly. Just then the same HBA rider went out again. It took us about one and a half laps to catch him again. With around 8 laps to go another prime was called and same HBA took off for it. That time he stayed off the front a little longer, he was still leading the way by 5 or so seconds when I rolled alongside Ben and said around the 4 lap to go time, I would get on the front and light up the pace to get everything back together and make sure no one would try a late attack, and to not let the three lined up Rassy riders out of his sight. I put in a small effort to the outside in the head wind section to get myself on the front to see that there were two HBA guys up ahead. Did I miss something? Are there two teammates out there and chase not going very hard with 4 laps to go? I go it going and we caught them quickly, turns out one was a lapped rider. I kept a steady pace, and something didn't seem right. I couldn't "feel" anyone on my wheel. I glanced down and didn't see anyone immediately, but just kept the pace thinking there was a small opening behind me. In turn 2 of two laps to go, I actually turned around to see what was going on behind me and no one was to be found. Initially I was in shock wonder where they went. My mind was going as fast as my legs on the backstretch. "Don't look back, they are right there and that is a sign of weakness." "You're gonna get caught shortly." "Hold on as long as possible, Ben is smart enough to stay in the draft until the end, it'll be like a long distance lead out." The absolute most vivid thought I had was "What is going on back there." I carried full speed through the wide corners and stayed as close to the inside of the course as possible, the shortest distance around. I rolled through s/f with one lap to go still leading and wondering. Just before entering turn 3 I gave into my inner voice and looked back expecting to see a single file line bearing down. Nobody to be seen. I kept my head down as low as possible into the wind tunnel leading up to the final right hander. At that point it is maybe 350 meters to the line. Once again, I looked back thinking I would see the peloton niping at my heals, and surprise still no one there. I sat up, zipped up, and threw up arms in celebration, I couldn't believe what had just happened. Everyone dreams on those long Sunday afternoon rides of riding solo across the finish line arms in the air, and it just came true for me. It still hasn't completely sunk in yet, the question remains in my head why wasn't I caught by a chase group? It NEVER happens that way. Ben said afterwards, when I had gotten a gap everyone just kinda went flat wondering who was going to lead the chase that never developed.
Travis Jass race report-
Near perfect temp (in my opinion), and only a little humidity, coupled with a slight wind greeted us for the State Crit Championship in Cedar Rapids. Ben and I lined up along with 20ish others for a 6pm start. We tried to strategize what to do in different situations, and marked a few strong riders in the field. From the whistle, pace was quick but manageable. We stuck to the front as best we could, and a few laps in a good solid tempo was being maintained by the bunch, nulling some of the aggressive tactics. A prime was called and the pace went up some before an HBA rider got off the front to collect the booty. Only a couple laps separated the first and second prime, and I was second wheel when it was announced. I knew I was following an inexperienced rider so I called up to him that if anyone jumps for the prime to let them go as the good working group would catch them again shortly. Just then the same HBA rider went out again. It took us about one and a half laps to catch him again. With around 8 laps to go another prime was called and same HBA took off for it. That time he stayed off the front a little longer, he was still leading the way by 5 or so seconds when I rolled alongside Ben and said around the 4 lap to go time, I would get on the front and light up the pace to get everything back together and make sure no one would try a late attack, and to not let the three lined up Rassy riders out of his sight. I put in a small effort to the outside in the head wind section to get myself on the front to see that there were two HBA guys up ahead. Did I miss something? Are there two teammates out there and chase not going very hard with 4 laps to go? I go it going and we caught them quickly, turns out one was a lapped rider. I kept a steady pace, and something didn't seem right. I couldn't "feel" anyone on my wheel. I glanced down and didn't see anyone immediately, but just kept the pace thinking there was a small opening behind me. In turn 2 of two laps to go, I actually turned around to see what was going on behind me and no one was to be found. Initially I was in shock wonder where they went. My mind was going as fast as my legs on the backstretch. "Don't look back, they are right there and that is a sign of weakness." "You're gonna get caught shortly." "Hold on as long as possible, Ben is smart enough to stay in the draft until the end, it'll be like a long distance lead out." The absolute most vivid thought I had was "What is going on back there." I carried full speed through the wide corners and stayed as close to the inside of the course as possible, the shortest distance around. I rolled through s/f with one lap to go still leading and wondering. Just before entering turn 3 I gave into my inner voice and looked back expecting to see a single file line bearing down. Nobody to be seen. I kept my head down as low as possible into the wind tunnel leading up to the final right hander. At that point it is maybe 350 meters to the line. Once again, I looked back thinking I would see the peloton niping at my heals, and surprise still no one there. I sat up, zipped up, and threw up arms in celebration, I couldn't believe what had just happened. Everyone dreams on those long Sunday afternoon rides of riding solo across the finish line arms in the air, and it just came true for me. It still hasn't completely sunk in yet, the question remains in my head why wasn't I caught by a chase group? It NEVER happens that way. Ben said afterwards, when I had gotten a gap everyone just kinda went flat wondering who was going to lead the chase that never developed.
Travis Jass & Ben Acree waiting for the race (wrong date on the pic)
On the start line.
Travis Jass State Criterium Champion (Cat. 4)
Now who is it that can make you fast?
Race over, off to find a nice dinner.