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Thursday, August 4, 2011

Alterra Coffee Bean Classic 2011

It has been over a week since this race, but a quick re-cap is in order. I had won this race the last 2 years in a row so I was going for the 3-peat and almost got it…

After being called up to the line 3rd for the series standings I overheard something about a $100 Sprint Prime right off the line. The race director decided to make the start even more of a mad dash for the single track by putting a $100 carrot at the top of the start climb.

As you can see in the picture below off the line Matter had the better clip in, I have been missing pedals lately so I played the clip in safe, but I was able to accelerate over the top for the $100 bonus.

Also while standing on the line I had a few people comment on my new Easton EC 90 XC Carbon Wheels. These bad boys know how to accelerate .

Coming over the top the line for the Prime was right next to our Wheel & Sprocket tent…I was almost startled off my bike with the crazy screaming and cheering as a bunch of my family had shown up. I rode on at the front with a pretty big smile on my face.

I wanted the hole shot into the 1st single track. My plan was not to lead all the way to it, but I was at the front and not going backwards, so I controlled the front with a high pace and waited for a challenge. I heard 2 clicks of a shifter behind me and immediately started to sprint. I figured it was Mike Phillips as we are both very familiar with the course and a threat in the single track. We both fought past the point of no return and started into a single line with two wheels, we began to lock bars and were losing control, but somehow came out upright with Mike in the lead and somehow Tristan pulled a Houdini move and got between us. Mike got a small gap that we closed down by the end of lap 1. From here it was the 3 of us for a lap. Lap 3 I went to the front and pushed the pace up the start climb and then into the single track I attacked. I got the gap and I thought it was over for the 3-peat. A few of the spectators said they timed the gap at over a minute. I played my cards wrong and thought I could relax a bit and if anyone came back to me they would be worn out from chasing. In hindsight I know this course so well, if I would have just went in Time Trial mode I think the Win was mine.

Tristan came back at the start of lap 4. I figured I could get away again in the single track and I did, but lap traffic was really bad and any gap I opened up was shut down with every lapped rider. Tristan got back to me again and I was hurting from attacking over and over, and I think I got behind on fluids. Lap traffic was everywhere. While trying to make a pass on someone, whom I thought was moving over for us, I was pushed into a tree and on the ground…Tristan was encouraging me to get up quickly because Brian Matter was about 45 sec back and we were losing time fast in this bottle neck crash. I get up and rolling again still leading the race but find my front tire had burped too much air too ride with any speed. I let Tristan go figuring I settle for second if I can ride the tire in, but B. Matter was chasing hard and I had to go very slow in every corner. I stop and Matter goes by while I inflate my tire with a CO2. From 1st with a gap, to 3rd place, all in half a lap, that is some good racing, unfortunate for me, but good competition and exciting racing to watch and be a part of!

Here are a few podium shots. I figured my son Kyle should get used to the podium if he wants to take after Daddy and if we can wear Spandex/Lycra and be considered the “cool fast guys”, he can wear is diaper…