Tri Peaks Stage Race
Russellville, AR
Thursday and Friday were both road races, the first 65 miles, the next 103 miles. Thursday night I said the day was the fastest individual road stage I have ever done, averaging 25 MPH for the 65 miles. This includes our 21 mile uphill finish.
Friday changed that, 103 miles, 10,000 feet of climbing and an average speed of 23 MPH. Those Health Net boys are fiesty and if they wanna go fast they line up, push the turbo button and it seems that's all takes. There was a super duper high tempo all day, uphill, downhill and flats. Drafting and fueling were key more than usual today. I finished 45th and in the top third of the main group Friday. Local boy Brice Jones won Friday, you da man Rizzy!
Saturday's crit actually went pretty well. Last year I got dropped in a few laps so my goal was to improve on that, last half the race or longer. (55 minutes + 4 laps). With 20 minutes to go I was still in the race and Health Net had just caught a break and absolutley drilled it. I fell off the main group of 35 riders or so and thought I was getting ready to be pulled. All of a sudden, another 40 riders fly up behind me, I wasn't last, actually wasn't close to it. I jumped in this group and stayed towards the front, worked my tail off and finished about 5th in the group. I guess this would make me in the top 45 for the overall today but its really hard to tell. So lots of improvment over last year. We have a time trial in a few hours so I am hitting the sack.
