Race report from Yarmouth Clam Festival - '07
From the Portland Press Hearld:
A pair of riders from New Hampshire make charges down the stretch take the top spots.
http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=122457&ac=PHspt
What an awesome day for NorEast Cycling!! The weather could not have been more perfect.
For the Women, it was just Melody Chase and I. Even though NEBC clearly had the numbers and had it set on controlling the entire race we marked them right. I knew that NEBC was going to try and control the race and most likely try to set up Rebecca Wellons for the win. I also knew that Linscott Real Estate Racing was there and was going to try and pull off a repeat from their last year 1st place win. Melody and I were to just sit quietly in the pack letting the other girls chase the false breaks and set tempo on the front. On the 4th lap we moved to the front, Mel set some good steady tempo for a while. NEBC came around us, we integrated back into the pack. On a $50 dollar prime one of the NEBC girls tried to go, my legs were feeling good and her push to the line I matched. Last 50 meters I moved around her and took the prime.....that one was for Melody for helping me.
Next lap was a $10 dollar prime, Still feeling good and fresh I followed the next NEBC rider out and waited till the last minute to get around her, it was a little closer then I wanted but I managed to take that prime as well.
The last lap and the hard push did not come until we hit the descent leading up to the hard right then up a short but steep hill. It was on the descent that Melody and I got swallowed up by NEBC moving in around us. I managed to find a line in the gutter that no one was following (partly due to the fact that it was in pretty bad condition and very jarring). I moved quickly to the front again getting 3rd wheel back by the time we hit the hill. I pushed hard up the hill one girl was already trying to go off the front. Then there was myself another NEBC rider doing a lead out whom I was directly behind and a few others (quite honestly I had no idea who was behind because I was so focused but Mel was watching my back) . The gap was growing to the woman off the front, I swung around NEBC and pushed hard to catch this woman's wheel. I managed to catch it with about 300 meters from the line. That was enough for me to have a brief rest. Using her to slingshot me I got around, up on my pedals, digging as hard as I could, knowing that lurking behind me was my old rival Rebecca and most likely Debony Diehl. I spun up to about 130 sat down for a few seconds then stood back up for the final dig and throw. I got to the line only .1 seconds ahead of Debony and .2 seconds ahead of Rebecca.
What a mind blowing experience!!
I am still in awe that Melody and I were able to effectively shut down NEBC and tactically read the race to perfection.
Special Kudos to Melody, who helped me tremendously. Setting Tempo, pulling me up that hill. reading the race along with me. There could not have been a better combination for that race!!
Melody earned herself a 8th place finish placing ahead of many Cat.2 and 3's. and for any of my old competitors reading this........ I'm BAaaackk