Day 5: We woke to a hot, rainy morning for the women's 30-34 criterium at the famous Churchhill Downs (Kentucky Derby Horse Race Track). We went out to support Lori, knowing how much she loves to race in the rain. Lori did a great job covering early moves from the nervous field. With close to 10 laps to go, a strong group of 3 riders (including the 2007 Crit National Champion) broke free. Lori, and 5 other racers formed a chase group, with Lori coming to the line to claim a great 7th place finish. I think she was just happy to leave with all her skin.
Day 6: REST DAY- Finally. We drove out to the Horseshoe Casino in Indiana to do a little spin on the time trial course. Nice relaxing flat route in some awesome country. We stayed together for the first mile or two...then it was ON! Seems like even we are not racing...we ARE racing, but it was great to clear our minds, legs and break some cabin fever.
Day 7: Last day, last races, last chance at the National jersey...pressure is on. Darren and Knetch raced first. A small group jumped free, and Knetch jumped on Dirk's wheel and almost got across. The lead reshuffled, and Darren jumped across to 2 lone riders to make the lead break of 3. Darren worked hard in the break to keep it away for close to 30 laps, eventually lapping the field with a chase group of 10+ racers. The chase group came bearing down, closing the gap to only 4 seconds with 2 laps to go. Darren sprinted to the line to take 2nd place! Our best finish so far. He was stocked, and we were pumped going into our races.
While Darren styled for his podium pics, Chris, Conn, Shane, Scottie, and Blair lined up to do battle in the 35-39 crit. From the gun the Hincapie/Coca-Cola/Barkley boys were super aggressive. Scottie started the first move, which Conn countered to establish the lead break. Chris bridged up to the break with 3 other riders. Chris and Conn started driving the break to build up a lead of close to 1 min. Scottie and two other riders jumped clear, and started the long process of trying to bridge across, which they did with close to 10 laps to secure us 3 men in the lead break of 11. This group of 11 lapped the field, and unfortunately had to come to the line of the sprint along with all the other lapped riders fighting for 12th place. We came out 7th, 8th, and 9th place. Not the finish we were hoping for, but we were all proud at how strong the boys rode. Big props to Blair and Shane for covering the field and keeping the wolves at bay, saving up for a strong leadout and sticking to the plan.
Blair and Adam went to work in the last race of the day (30-34). Bruce and Adam were aggressive early on, covering Texas Roadhouse and Crater from Wheel and Sprocket. Bruce got in a small group up the road, but was eventually chased down. A lead break of 7 riders formed, without any of our team in there. Adam layed it all out for 2 laps to chase the break down, pulling it back. Bruce got set up for the sprint, but got caught behind 2 crashes in the final two turns to cruise in around 15th.
Thanks to all the team riders for giving up their week to do what we do best. Thanks also to all of our sponsors, especially the folks at Barkley for their support of our bid at Nationals.
Nationals Tally Total(13 top 20 finishes) : *Podium Finishes
*2nd - Darren Fuller (40+ Crit) -Silver Medal
*3rd - Lori Harkey (30+ RR) - Bronze Medal
*4th - Scottie Weiss (35+ RR) - Bronze Medal
*5th - Chris Harkey (35+TT) - Bronze Medal
6th - Lara Cassidy (35+ RR)
7th - Jeremy Conn (35+ RR)
8th - Scottie Weiss (35+Crit)
9th - Lisa Preslar (35+ Crit)
9th - Jeremy Conn (35+Crit)
10th - Chris Harkey (35+Crit)
12th - Darren Fuller (40+RR)
15th - Bruce Humphries (30+Crit)
18th - AT Stamp (30+RR)
Day 6: REST DAY- Finally. We drove out to the Horseshoe Casino in Indiana to do a little spin on the time trial course. Nice relaxing flat route in some awesome country. We stayed together for the first mile or two...then it was ON! Seems like even we are not racing...we ARE racing, but it was great to clear our minds, legs and break some cabin fever.
Day 7: Last day, last races, last chance at the National jersey...pressure is on. Darren and Knetch raced first. A small group jumped free, and Knetch jumped on Dirk's wheel and almost got across. The lead reshuffled, and Darren jumped across to 2 lone riders to make the lead break of 3. Darren worked hard in the break to keep it away for close to 30 laps, eventually lapping the field with a chase group of 10+ racers. The chase group came bearing down, closing the gap to only 4 seconds with 2 laps to go. Darren sprinted to the line to take 2nd place! Our best finish so far. He was stocked, and we were pumped going into our races.
While Darren styled for his podium pics, Chris, Conn, Shane, Scottie, and Blair lined up to do battle in the 35-39 crit. From the gun the Hincapie/Coca-Cola/Barkley boys were super aggressive. Scottie started the first move, which Conn countered to establish the lead break. Chris bridged up to the break with 3 other riders. Chris and Conn started driving the break to build up a lead of close to 1 min. Scottie and two other riders jumped clear, and started the long process of trying to bridge across, which they did with close to 10 laps to secure us 3 men in the lead break of 11. This group of 11 lapped the field, and unfortunately had to come to the line of the sprint along with all the other lapped riders fighting for 12th place. We came out 7th, 8th, and 9th place. Not the finish we were hoping for, but we were all proud at how strong the boys rode. Big props to Blair and Shane for covering the field and keeping the wolves at bay, saving up for a strong leadout and sticking to the plan.
Blair and Adam went to work in the last race of the day (30-34). Bruce and Adam were aggressive early on, covering Texas Roadhouse and Crater from Wheel and Sprocket. Bruce got in a small group up the road, but was eventually chased down. A lead break of 7 riders formed, without any of our team in there. Adam layed it all out for 2 laps to chase the break down, pulling it back. Bruce got set up for the sprint, but got caught behind 2 crashes in the final two turns to cruise in around 15th.
Thanks to all the team riders for giving up their week to do what we do best. Thanks also to all of our sponsors, especially the folks at Barkley for their support of our bid at Nationals.
Nationals Tally Total(13 top 20 finishes) : *Podium Finishes
*2nd - Darren Fuller (40+ Crit) -Silver Medal
*3rd - Lori Harkey (30+ RR) - Bronze Medal
*4th - Scottie Weiss (35+ RR) - Bronze Medal
*5th - Chris Harkey (35+TT) - Bronze Medal
6th - Lara Cassidy (35+ RR)
7th - Jeremy Conn (35+ RR)
8th - Scottie Weiss (35+Crit)
9th - Lisa Preslar (35+ Crit)
9th - Jeremy Conn (35+Crit)
10th - Chris Harkey (35+Crit)
12th - Darren Fuller (40+RR)
15th - Bruce Humphries (30+Crit)
18th - AT Stamp (30+RR)
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