biking race 1:15:08 [5] 43.2 km (1:44 / km) +648m 1:37 / km
ahr:152 max:166
My whine:
Ugly race for me from a tactical and mental perspective. Fitness wise I was ok, but I let my emotions run my race and on the last lap, basically gave up. I was once again frustrated with the lack of cohesion with the pack to chase down and I was mentally and physically tired of bridging attacks with rare support from other racers. On the second to last lap I broke away hoping for support and baked myself, then let the field pass me on the last lap...I then mentally checked out of the race and by the time I figured this out, I couldn't bridge. Not a happy ending.
At the start of the second to last lap, before I broke away, I was pulling the pack and I knew we weren't going to catch the break away. Triple Shot had a guy out front (at least they said they did) and they hadn't been interested in putting any effort which was understandable. I glanced back and saw the train behind me and out of curiosity wondered what would happen if I just stopped pedaling....so I ghost pedaled and watch my speed bleed away. I think I slowed by about 10kph and no one pulled out to take over. I knew the Triple Shot guys wouldn't for obvious reasons but no other rider came out, nary a one. At that point I figured I'd ramp it up. I upped the cadence and at the next corner hit it hard and saw the gap open. I kept my head down and dropped into the hill, the sprinted up to where the finish line was and had opened a big lead, then hit the bell lap. At this juncture, I was on my own and feeling very tired mentally and physically; I essentially gave up and let the pack pass me.
I was forced out of corners numerous times by riders who couldn't hold lines and dropped an F-bomb on one of them when I was forced into a pylon. I regret that I directed my frustration at him and I have to apologize next time I see him. I could have taken an inside line and but didn't.
I realize from a racing perspective that sitting back and letting others do the work is a tactic and when you have to work, typically on the last lap, if the pack is together, off you go...however out of 30 riders, you'd think there would be some cooperation. Nik V, John G and I discussed working together which we did, but Nik jumped on the back of the A pack about 3/4 of the way through (yah, we were lapped by the A pack...not a good sign) and when the B group is passed by any other group we have to neutralize; however Nik V is prepping for Nationals and Europe races and needed to stress her fitness today, so she joined the middle of the A pack, then bridged to Bruno who had made a break earlier on -- this upset a lot of riders in the B group and there were accusations that the tete de la course had taken advantage of this as well. John rode a better tactical race than me and was prepped for the lead out but pulled out of his pedal on the sprint; this usually leads to a crash but he and the others around him managed to avoid being taken out.
I let my emotions run this race today which is resulted in no points and a finish at the back of the pack. Lesson learned.