LAFAYETTE CRITERIUM - PODIUM

Lafayette Criterium – a lesson in what would we do without technology?

Nicola's desperate plea for race reports, a lazy Sunday afternoon, and a tactically exceptional race for the team inspired me to write up a race report….here ya go:

Virginia and I rolled from Cole Coffee in Oakland just in time to see an unusual finish to the men's Pro1/2 race in downtown Lafayette. A break had gone off and nearly lapped the field, but without a camera's decisive eye the officials decided to neutralize the break in an effort to prevent a confusing finish. Well someone forgot to tell the break that they could start racing again, and the main field caught them by surprise as they were chatting along…. Not sure how it all worked out, but I heard the break split the winning $$ to save some heartache.

Proman was 4 strong in the womens field with Virginia, Hanan, Kate, and myself. Despite the fact that many of us have not raced together I feel we all did a great job and made the race fast and fun. Virginia out did herself in attacks, chases and leading the pack in the first several laps. About 20 minutes into the race Mary Ellen Ash (LGBRC/Easton) went for a prime and I countered and was surprised to see a gap forming. I was alone for a while until I found an Easton rider on my wheel. I tried to get Kim to help, but realized she wasn't feeling the legs to take a pull I let her sit on and continued to do so through 2 primes until it was 5 laps to go and the field got antsy. Once caught, I was relieved to have Kate get in front of me and take the wind for a lap. A few more attacks came through but with one to go we were all together and I was hoping Hanan, who had done an excellent job of sitting in, would be able to pull off her snappy, track inspired sprint for the finish. Virginia came through the final flat stretch with Hanan on her wheel. The uphill drag seemed to go forever, but women kept falling off. Hanan pulled off a 2^nd place only to be ousted at the line by Mary Ellen. I counted four ladies in front of me as I crossed the line and was content with 5^th. The officials called off the top 10 and my name was not on it. I rolled up and mentioned that I was pretty sure I was 5^th and they said hold on…. Oh, that's right, we have you in 8^th… Confused and somewhat disappointed in the lack of officiating, I opted not to protest. Seems they had a hard enough day as it is.

Thanks for reading,

Mel