It has been a bit since I last checked in, and I have been busy training to improve my form. Last year at Springbank I was taken out with about 500m or so left in the race, so this year I knew I would have confidence issues. The course is amazing, completely closed, and scenic if you have the chance to look around. Starts with a fast left into a downhill where speeds pick up and the path gets narrow. It slightly banks left again as you ride along some water with canada geese enjoying the race. It is always fast through here as you lead up to a little hill. At the hill the road curves a bit, nerves come out here and all too often you hear someone yell to someone else, "HOLD YOUR LINE!" After this there is another left where the pack tends to slow down a bit and people are waiting for a move. A little bit further along there is a little chicane with curbs so again people get nervous about others keeping their line. From here its <500m straight off to the finish.
Race started and the pace picked up because the Master 2 riders would have been a minute behind us. I started at the back (i haven't learned my lesson) and coming into the first corner as far as I can remember a CHCH rider went down, and then an independent rider, Niles, went down and with me right behind them I followed suit. Got up shakily, uttered a few hateful words about how I knew this would happen and made my way around the course to the wheel pit. I got my free lap and was added back to the pack. I was sure to stay near the front to avoid other mishaps. My knee and back were a little sore but I'd look after those later. There were a few attacks none stayed away for very long, and I left the primes for others as I wanted to be fresh for the final sprint.
Right near the end we ended up taking over the master 2 group in the first corner which was pretty sketchy. It was bad enough with just one group going through it. As far as I know everyone made it through, small gaps may have formed though.
About 2 laps left coming through the finish line (18 laps total for our race), there was a big pile up right ahead of me. A rider I was following slowed down just after the hill so I was back further than I wanted. I was on the left side of the road, I have no idea what caused it but people looked a bit nervous so my bet was some wheel rub started it. I have no clue how I got around it, I thought I was done for. Maybe I rode around a bike, maybe over top, I think my brain went 'HOLY SHIT!' and shut down for a second. Either way I am glad I got around it. I heard someone yell "common Chris catch them!" A small gap formed when I slowed for the crash and I was easily able to cross it. I held a good position coming in through the chicane. I stayed behind a train of INVITA junior riders hoping they were up to something. Then a couple of them threw in the towel and boxed me in. Lost some ground but was eventually able to get through some people and put in a little sprint to claim some places.
Overall I finished 9th, and 5th in Elite 3 which was a lot better than my showing at Good Friday. As I grow stronger I hope to see even better results in the next two weekends at Lake of Bays, and Niagara.
As I said Springbank is an awesome course, just in my two showings I have had bad luck.
Results: http://www.ontariocycling.org/web_pages/results/20130505-202558-sbresults.htm
Garmin data: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/308287276
OCUP Points: http://www.ontariocycling.org/web_pages/results/20130505-232702-Ontario%20Cup%20Road%20Standings%202013.pdf
Sprinting into the finish (form wasn't great I know, was more concerned about getting around people than aero)
Thanks for checking in, ill post up again next weekend!
No comments:
Post a Comment