so i took to the regatta centre again tonight for the second round of the summer series. it wasn’t overly hot which was good and the wind was reasonably bearable for penrith. with first place last week it was a definite to move up a grade so C-Grade was the focus this week.
i left home without my track pump which found me swearing the whole way down in the car. once i parked i saw a guy with one so i asked if i could borrow it – of course it was fine and the crisis was over. Karen and the boys came down which was really good. the boys did get a bit bored but more than anything they were hungry so they left before the race was over.
C-Grade wasn’t too difficult. i felt ok and for once had a semi descent warm up. i kind of never know how many laps we actually do but i am sure it was 6 in total. the cycle computer wasn’t working at first so i didn’t record the first 3/4 of a lap which sucked big time.
we rolled out at an average pace and stayed pretty tight as a bunch the whole race. there was nothing very special at all but i did take to the lead on the third lap just so the boys would see me up front. you gotta do that shit for the boys. i actually took lead a couple of times and am happy to do so. i think next race i am going to sit way back, just to play with the whole tactics thing.
the last lap saw the pace pick up slightly and i made certain i was in full contact with the fronts. i was totally tempted to just take off but decided against it. i know one week i will. lol. and probably pay dearly for the excursion as well.
we rounded the bridge – where i attacked last time and i was still in about 7-10 wheel. i noticed two guys making a surge on the outside. i also realised i hadn’t seen either of them the whole race. they were the sitters. the guys that do nothing except win [i think - results will tell]. as we went through the bends i smashed the pedals and found i took it reasonably nicely to the line. i held pace and in doing so it saw me lunge to the line to take 3rd place.
i am really surprised how much i am suited to crit racing and its pretty obvious for me now as i am really starting to enjoy it all. the tactics are so much fun – i kinda wish i had a friend or two so we could mess up the pack on occassions… i need to solo break away soon as well. unfortunately i have to miss the next 2 rnds but i will be back and will run C-Grade again as soon as i can