WATSONVILLE CRITERIUM - WIN!

Tracey, Abby, and I were all present for a somewhat surprising (size) field at Watsonville on Saturday. It was a technical crit with 6 turns and a small hill up to the finish in a 3/4-mile loop. Virginia (CRC), Abby, and I were all active at the start of the race--mostly Virginia and Abby launching attacks like they were going out of style, and me jumping with Virginia and then pushing the pace through the hill. It was difficult to get a gap due to the technicality of the course, and the fact that there were several strong riders that were content to sit-on/chase, although Abby was at the front pushing the pace throughout to keep the pressure on.

At about the half-way point, Virginia (CRC) launched a promising attack with Abby close on her wheel, as I was several wheels back in the chase group behind the gap. Virginia flatted just before a tight corner at nearly full speed and took a nasty fall--which fortunately Abby was able to avoid. Abby sat up at that point as did the rest of the field out of courtesy, and we waited for Virginia after the free lap to rejoin the group.

From there it was much of the same until the finish. Virginia attacked on the last lap with Tracey sitting right on her wheel for nearly a textbook leadout to the finish, which she, without hesitation, capitalized on for the PROMAN win! I finished in 3rd just behind the Webcor/Alto Velo sprinter, and Abby was just off of my wheel into 6th. - Kate