Longsjo Cat 4

Fitchburg Longsjo Classic
GC: 3rd
Circuit: 5th
Road Race: 12th
Time Trial: 2nd
Crit: 23rd

Stage 1 (Circuit): The course was a 3.1mi loop through Fitchburg State College. We were scheduled for 8 laps though we did almost the whole first lap in neutral so the Juniors could pass us (they started us later than planned) From the start line the first turn is a left then a quick right onto a straight flat section of pretty bad road surface. After that stretch it’s a hairpin turn onto a wide open flat to downhill section. After that it’s a sharp right into a very steep quarter-mile power climb to the finish. We started out and the group was relatively calm. Jamie and I took a turn at the front early on. Julian made a couple of strong bids to break away but the pace was pretty high and nothing was sticking. On about the 6th lap, first straight, I noticed some riders up the road and asked Jamie if they were ours or laggard Juniors. We moved up to investigate and it turned out they were ours. On the back straight, I pushed to bridge but I didn’t catch before the turn onto the hill, which left me in a bit of no man’s land. After the line, I really had to work to catch the break of 5 or 6 (can’t remember) who had formed a nice pace line. But I caught on the first straight and started taking my turns on the back straight. Our pace was high and we had a small gap on the field. We hit the hill and the guys powered up. I was pretty wiped from the bridge but I still managed to pick up a spot or 2 and finished 5th out of the 7 break riders.

Stage 2 – Road Race: The 10+mi course starts at the Mt Wachusett parking lot, descends to Rt 140, turns right on 140 for a while then picks up Rt 31 towards Princeton center where the real climbing is. On 31 before Princeton center there are a couple of power climbs that could provide break opportunities. In Princeton, the course turns right on Mountain Road back towards Wachusett. Mountain Road is more or less rolling and there’s a decent power climb before the big descent. We rolled out and the pace was high on the first stretch of 140 – relatively flat and decent road surface. As we got into the climb for the first time, the group started to separate. As always, being at the front is better because you don’t want to be stuck behind someone who can’t climb while the leaders go up the road. A fairly large group was still together on Mountain Road. I can’t remember if the first crash was on this lap or the next, but Matt Sweda got taken down and his bike was busted pretty good. Next two laps, more of the same. No breaks. The herd was thinned each time up the climb. On the final lap the pace was high on 140 and we were passing some stragglers from other racers when there was a big crash/pileup. Not sure how it happened but Jamie got taken down. I got real lucky and got through and got back with the lead group, which was down to about 20. Final time up the climb, everyone pushed hard and I ended up 12th. At this point I was 22 seconds behind the leader – he had got the 10s time bonus on day 1 and the 4s bonus for stage 2. There’s a lesson here: time bonuses are hugely important in stage races!

Stage 3 – Time trial: approx 9mi course, out and back on South St in Westminster. Rough road in some spots but not that bad. The course rises slightly from the start ramp then there’s a roller or two then you get a pretty decent descent to a causeway across a pond. From there it’s generally flat to the turnaround. I rolled off the ramp and went out too fast probably. My plan had been to stay close in the GC for the first 2 days and then try to ride a great TT. So I was a little anxious at the start and this was my first TT and I made the mistake of going out like a crazy man. Also, I forgot to start my computer… Anyway, on the first stretch of road with visibility up the road, I panicked a bit when my 30s man was out of sight. I thought I was way off the pace, I looked behind me twice thinking that I was being caught already (this was like mile 2!) – lesson: FOCUS. In the TT, it’s just you and the clock so ride your race. Once I settled down I got comfortable and hit my stride. It helped that I spotted my 30 second man up the road. I actually passed him at about mile 4 so that gave me a boost (ok, it’s not ONLY you and the clock…). I was super cautious at the turn around and settled back in for the return trip. At about mile 6, I had my minute man in my sights and I was gaining on him. I kept rolling along, stayed in the aero bars up the climbs as much as possible, and passed my minute man at about mile 8. I was turning myself inside out and I crossed the line panting like ManBearPig. I didn’t know my time when I crossed and we waited around a bit for results. In the end, I was 2nd in the TT. The winner was about 8min down in the GC, so I gained time on the GC guys. I gained 24s on the leader and 16s on the second place guy, who moved into first at 4s ahead of me. The former leader was now 2s behind me and the 4th place guy was @12s (8s behind me). After that, the 5th pace guy was at about 45s. My plan more or less worked.

Stage 4 – Crit: 0.9mi loop in downtown Fitchburg. Deceptively hard course. One straight is a steady riser to a sweeping hairpin turn and then it’s a steady slight descent to two left turns in quick succession. Add to the course the 99 degree heat and it made for a tough day. I was pretty gassed from the get-go so I had trouble staying at or near the front. I was doing my best to hang on when with about 4 laps to go, Jamie came up and dragged me around for a few laps. It gave me a chance to rest and finish strong with the pack. Meanwhile, in the real race, the 4th place guy broke off the front. With 3s and the time bonus he would win the GC provided the GC leader was outside the top 3 in the crit. Well, hats off to the kid because his break ended up giving him 5s plus the 10s time bonus and the GC leader finished in the pack at 12th or so. So the 4th place kid moved into 1st and the leader and me dropped a notch.

I was pretty happy with the result. I had a great time riding with Julian, Matt and Jamie. I think we represented BRC well.