Another fun night at Northbrook. Really good to see so many people coming out to the races. We had so many people that they split the 3's out into their own 5 mile record race instead of traditionally being with the P/1/2's for the 10 mile.
Anyways, I took the Omnium behind winning the Tempo and Belgian Win & Out races and placing 2nd in the 10 Mile Record race. My team did so much work for me in the 10 Mile Record somehow I came away feeling ever so slightly disappointed despite it being probably my most complete night as a track cyclist. Super happy with where I'm at though - 2 weeks ago I had only one Top 10 finish this year and now I've won 4 races, so I'm continuing to come around for sure.
Regardless, I just got some very good news that I'm officially good to go for the National Calendar Track races out in Trexlertown, PA. First race is a scratch race one week from today, so I'll know a whole lot more about what I'm up against after that.
Off to a great start this year, but now the season really begins.
Friday, May 29, 2015
Wednesday, May 27, 2015
What's Up Next? 5/27 Edition
This weekend is the Illinois State Criterium Championships down in Kankakee Illinois. xXx should be bringing a good squad down to it, so hopefully we can get a result. Also the Glencoe Grand Prix, a National Criterium Calendar event, is on Saturday. I'm going to be racing the Cat 2/3 race in hopes of earning upgrade points on the road. I'd have loved to do the P/1/2 race as well, but just can't justify the additional $65 for getting shelled at the back.
Anyways.
5/28: 10 Mile Record Race @ Northbrook Velodrome (Track)
5/30: Glencoe Grand Prix (Road)
5/31: Cobb Park Criterium - Illinois State Championships (Road)
Here's to another good weekend of racing on tap!
Anyways.
5/28: 10 Mile Record Race @ Northbrook Velodrome (Track)
5/30: Glencoe Grand Prix (Road)
5/31: Cobb Park Criterium - Illinois State Championships (Road)
Here's to another good weekend of racing on tap!
Tuesday, May 26, 2015
Opening Night (Part 2) at Northbrook
Won the first race of the year (Devil's Scratch) while Nikos took won the other two (Points, Scratch)! Good start to the season for us! 1 - 2 in the Omnium as well.
Fox River Grove Omnium
The Fox River Omnium is a race consisting of three stages - all with their own character - hosted by local Chicago staple and owner of Psimet Wheels, Rob Curtis. I had very little hopes or ambitions entering the race, ideally, if I could score a top 5 in a stage or support my teammates, I'd have been pretty happy.
East Dundee Cycling Shootout
This course was fairly simple with the only real note being a sharp 120 degree turn very shortly after the start/finish line. Austin was super active per usual early trying to find the move. Several went off (most with Austin in them) but none gained a significant enough amount of time to stick. With about 10 laps to go I pretty much assumed it would come down to a sprint and started moving up to just get in a better position. Two local teams: Sammy's and Intellegentsia were two of the most active teams throughout the day and with about 8 laps to go a rider from each went up the road. I was third wheel behind two Intellegentsia riders who started to spread across the road to block. A small hole opened up that I knew if I shot through no one else would be able to follow. I launched to make sure we had representation in that move. After about a 20 second bridge I was connected and we were off. It took a small while to gain full cooperation and effort within the break, but eventually everyone was working pretty well. I heard time gaps of 10, 12, 13 and then 8 at which point I put in a serious dig and heard the gap jump right back up on the next lap. With about 2 to go I had a good feeling we were going to stay away. On the final lap at the 120 degree turn the Intelligentsia rider closed a small gap up to the Sammy's rider. As soon as the catch happened I attack with about 1/2 lap to go, got a gap, and held it to the finish line for the win. This also meant that I'd be wearing the leaders jersey during the next stage and would have a good team around me to try and defend it - which would be the heavy goal. Funny how quickly things change.
Elgin Cycling Classic
The course is simple with the exception of one off-camber chicane 200m from the finish line which is tricky. Luckily, the forecasted rain stayed away for our race which made for a safer event. There were two intermediate sprints during the day which I'd have to go for and the Top 5 places in the race would all receive 13 points, so ideally, I needed to score points at the intermediate sprints and finish in the top five of the race to retain the jersey. The first sprint came, I was in decent position and ended up second to my main rival on Sammy's which left us tied currently on points. The second sprint came and I was way out of position. Luckily there was a lull in the pack and I was able to move up significantly on the backstretch and kicked after the chicane good enough for 2nd in the sprint while my rival failed to score points, giving me a two point lead virtually on the road. So as long as I finished Top 5, I'd be in the leaders jersey entering the final stage. With three laps to go I was in great position...until the riders in front of me slowed on the backstretch and it felt like the entire field swarmed around me pushing me all the way to the back at the most vital moment in the race. I needed to move up fast without blowing myself up. Luckily, I found my teammate Ben LaForce on the backstretch with two to go and he shot me through half of the field. On the last lap I positioned myself as well as I could. Two riders got off the front late which means I'd need to finish Top 3 in the field sprint to take max points. My rival on Sammy's shot up the road after the chicane and there was no way I was catching him. I kicked as hard as I could and could feel the entire pack behind me. I crossed the line...good for 3rd in the field sprint and 5th overall - maximum points. Winning East Dundee was awesome, but getting through today still in the leaders jersey behind a full team effort felt just as good.
Fox River Grove Criterium
This course is just not my cup of tea. A short little circuit with a serious climb each lap meant that it was likely that I wasn't going to finish in the Top 10 of the race and score points at the finish (Top 10 score points). There were however two hilltop omnium sprints during the race. I decided that it would be more prudent to go all out after those points and see where it took me. I was 2 points up on second and several points up on the rest. The first sprint came and I was locked into a serious position battle with my rival from Sammy's. We hit the climb I and was terribly in the wrong gear. Regardless I stood and just hit it as hard as I could. I looked behind and it was clear I was going to beat the rider from Sammy's to the mark, but a young local pro from Jamis overtook me at the line. I was good for 2nd, the Sammy's rider 3rd - giving me a 3 point lead. We crested the top and I was completely fried. By the start of the next climb I was moving back hard. Everyone on my team did what they could for me, but I just couldn't make it over in contact. Nikos, a teammate of mine, was there and tried to pace me back for a few laps, but it was to no avail. So at this point, I'd need my rival to not take points on the 2nd hilltop sprint or finish no better than 9th to remain ahead of him. At the final hilltop sprint with two riders off the front and my rival looking to score a point in the hill climb, Ryan O'Boyle, another teammate of mine shot up the climb and took the remaining point available, just ahead of the Sammy's rider. This meant that my rival needed 8th or better to overtake me in the Omnium at which point 8 riders where up the road, so I was likely safe. My rival hit the line 9th meaning I was ahead of him, but the Jamis rider overtook us both in the standings by winning both intermediate sprints and soloing to victory. I finished the omnium good for 2nd. A huge weekend for me and the team.
Our Elite road 1/2 team has been outstanding this year, but at this race Austin, LaForce, Fay, O'Boyle, and Nikos were incredible and without a doubt put me on that podium. Such a fun time racing with these guys - my only regret is that I won't be able to do it a whole lot more this year. Regardless, what we've accomplished this spring has been awesome and I'm looking forward to the few opportunities I have left doing it this year.
East Dundee Cycling Shootout
This course was fairly simple with the only real note being a sharp 120 degree turn very shortly after the start/finish line. Austin was super active per usual early trying to find the move. Several went off (most with Austin in them) but none gained a significant enough amount of time to stick. With about 10 laps to go I pretty much assumed it would come down to a sprint and started moving up to just get in a better position. Two local teams: Sammy's and Intellegentsia were two of the most active teams throughout the day and with about 8 laps to go a rider from each went up the road. I was third wheel behind two Intellegentsia riders who started to spread across the road to block. A small hole opened up that I knew if I shot through no one else would be able to follow. I launched to make sure we had representation in that move. After about a 20 second bridge I was connected and we were off. It took a small while to gain full cooperation and effort within the break, but eventually everyone was working pretty well. I heard time gaps of 10, 12, 13 and then 8 at which point I put in a serious dig and heard the gap jump right back up on the next lap. With about 2 to go I had a good feeling we were going to stay away. On the final lap at the 120 degree turn the Intelligentsia rider closed a small gap up to the Sammy's rider. As soon as the catch happened I attack with about 1/2 lap to go, got a gap, and held it to the finish line for the win. This also meant that I'd be wearing the leaders jersey during the next stage and would have a good team around me to try and defend it - which would be the heavy goal. Funny how quickly things change.
Elgin Cycling Classic
The course is simple with the exception of one off-camber chicane 200m from the finish line which is tricky. Luckily, the forecasted rain stayed away for our race which made for a safer event. There were two intermediate sprints during the day which I'd have to go for and the Top 5 places in the race would all receive 13 points, so ideally, I needed to score points at the intermediate sprints and finish in the top five of the race to retain the jersey. The first sprint came, I was in decent position and ended up second to my main rival on Sammy's which left us tied currently on points. The second sprint came and I was way out of position. Luckily there was a lull in the pack and I was able to move up significantly on the backstretch and kicked after the chicane good enough for 2nd in the sprint while my rival failed to score points, giving me a two point lead virtually on the road. So as long as I finished Top 5, I'd be in the leaders jersey entering the final stage. With three laps to go I was in great position...until the riders in front of me slowed on the backstretch and it felt like the entire field swarmed around me pushing me all the way to the back at the most vital moment in the race. I needed to move up fast without blowing myself up. Luckily, I found my teammate Ben LaForce on the backstretch with two to go and he shot me through half of the field. On the last lap I positioned myself as well as I could. Two riders got off the front late which means I'd need to finish Top 3 in the field sprint to take max points. My rival on Sammy's shot up the road after the chicane and there was no way I was catching him. I kicked as hard as I could and could feel the entire pack behind me. I crossed the line...good for 3rd in the field sprint and 5th overall - maximum points. Winning East Dundee was awesome, but getting through today still in the leaders jersey behind a full team effort felt just as good.
Fox River Grove Criterium
This course is just not my cup of tea. A short little circuit with a serious climb each lap meant that it was likely that I wasn't going to finish in the Top 10 of the race and score points at the finish (Top 10 score points). There were however two hilltop omnium sprints during the race. I decided that it would be more prudent to go all out after those points and see where it took me. I was 2 points up on second and several points up on the rest. The first sprint came and I was locked into a serious position battle with my rival from Sammy's. We hit the climb I and was terribly in the wrong gear. Regardless I stood and just hit it as hard as I could. I looked behind and it was clear I was going to beat the rider from Sammy's to the mark, but a young local pro from Jamis overtook me at the line. I was good for 2nd, the Sammy's rider 3rd - giving me a 3 point lead. We crested the top and I was completely fried. By the start of the next climb I was moving back hard. Everyone on my team did what they could for me, but I just couldn't make it over in contact. Nikos, a teammate of mine, was there and tried to pace me back for a few laps, but it was to no avail. So at this point, I'd need my rival to not take points on the 2nd hilltop sprint or finish no better than 9th to remain ahead of him. At the final hilltop sprint with two riders off the front and my rival looking to score a point in the hill climb, Ryan O'Boyle, another teammate of mine shot up the climb and took the remaining point available, just ahead of the Sammy's rider. This meant that my rival needed 8th or better to overtake me in the Omnium at which point 8 riders where up the road, so I was likely safe. My rival hit the line 9th meaning I was ahead of him, but the Jamis rider overtook us both in the standings by winning both intermediate sprints and soloing to victory. I finished the omnium good for 2nd. A huge weekend for me and the team.
Our Elite road 1/2 team has been outstanding this year, but at this race Austin, LaForce, Fay, O'Boyle, and Nikos were incredible and without a doubt put me on that podium. Such a fun time racing with these guys - my only regret is that I won't be able to do it a whole lot more this year. Regardless, what we've accomplished this spring has been awesome and I'm looking forward to the few opportunities I have left doing it this year.
Saturday, May 9, 2015
Monsters of the Midway
Monsters of the Midway was today and is the most classic four corner crit you can imagine. It's down on the University of Chicago campus and being actually nearby the city, it ends up drawing out a who's who of the local racing scene.
The race was pretty simple. A few guys early tried to get into a break, not a whole lot came of them. Finally, I got into a move with about 8 guys. It seemed like the right move but it didn't have enough gusto for whatever reason. As soon as we were willfully reeled in, a counter-attack happened which ended up sticking to the finish. Austin, my teammate, was in the move, so blocking and establishing the move was a priority. Once we realized it was gone, there was nothing more to do than setup for the field sprint. I decided to try to be rather active in this and see how it'd end up. I got near the front with about 2 to go and held position. On the backstretch of the last lap, the Intellegentsia train of 2 got setup and given the cross/head wind through that section and the impetus of the group behind, I had a good feeling that wasn't going to last long as there was still a ways to go. I just kept my head on a swivel looking for the next train to fly by and sure enough it did. I managed to jump in at about 8th wheel. We made the final two corners and the long sprint was on. I wheel hopped the whole sprint and ended up finishing 2nd in the field sprint - good enough for 8th overall. Austin ended up 5th and Ryan 12th giving us 3 top 12 finishes in an 81 person race, we'd have liked to win obviously, but that's not too bad! The Fox River Omnium is next weekend, but just as importantly track starts up on Thursday! Looking forward to breaking in the new rig!
The race was pretty simple. A few guys early tried to get into a break, not a whole lot came of them. Finally, I got into a move with about 8 guys. It seemed like the right move but it didn't have enough gusto for whatever reason. As soon as we were willfully reeled in, a counter-attack happened which ended up sticking to the finish. Austin, my teammate, was in the move, so blocking and establishing the move was a priority. Once we realized it was gone, there was nothing more to do than setup for the field sprint. I decided to try to be rather active in this and see how it'd end up. I got near the front with about 2 to go and held position. On the backstretch of the last lap, the Intellegentsia train of 2 got setup and given the cross/head wind through that section and the impetus of the group behind, I had a good feeling that wasn't going to last long as there was still a ways to go. I just kept my head on a swivel looking for the next train to fly by and sure enough it did. I managed to jump in at about 8th wheel. We made the final two corners and the long sprint was on. I wheel hopped the whole sprint and ended up finishing 2nd in the field sprint - good enough for 8th overall. Austin ended up 5th and Ryan 12th giving us 3 top 12 finishes in an 81 person race, we'd have liked to win obviously, but that's not too bad! The Fox River Omnium is next weekend, but just as importantly track starts up on Thursday! Looking forward to breaking in the new rig!
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