King's Day Criterium - Holland, Michigan

I was twice as excited for the second race of the weekend which was the King’s Day Criterium in Holland, Michigan.  Holland is a 2.5 hour drive from my house in Chicago but I wasn't dissuaded by the long drive.  I got up early and got a good breakfast before loading up the car and driving to pick up my friend and teammate Andrew Zens who was going to be racing with me that day.  Together we made the drive over to Michigan.  We talked "stra-tegery" and about the good/bad things that came out of the Whitnall Park race yesterday.  Before we knew it we were pulling into an open parking lot near the downtown area of Holland. 

When we got out of the car the wind struck us both hard and even though it was a clear blue sky day the wind put a nip in the air.  We both got ready and Zens went to get our race numbers.  After pinning up we rode the course and got warmed up in a parking lot nearby.  I was feeling good legs and was hoping it wasn’t just the tailwind.  At the start line I counted only 19 which was pretty small and as I surveyed my competition I could only see 2 teams represented and both had only 2 teammates.  After watching previous races that day both Zens and I determined that if any break was going to succeed it would need at least 3-4 riders and some teammates to block so our strategy was to mark breakaways and only chase if we saw bigger groups.  The start was straight into a gusty headwind and I knew the sprint would also be into the same wind.  Immediately Zens went to the front and I was on his wheel.  The pace was easy and despite a few nervous corners there was nothing crazy going on in the first few laps.  At one time I looked up and saw an unknown junior leaning heavily with full head and shoulders into Zens.  Zens rode like a rock and didn’t even sway from his line but looked at the kid and asked “what that was all about?”  I’m still not sure, considering we were only riding 25mph into a tailwind on open road.

Mid race riding in the pack.  Eventual winner behind me in yellow.

Andrew Zens taking the corner hot

The pack was inexperienced and gaps formed but since Zens and I were near the front we were quick to bring them back and keep the group together.  I was probably doing more work than I should but as the race went on I was feeling better and better.  Over halfway through the race I was feeling good and riding near the front.  I was taking corners full speed with no breaks and really putting the pressure on.  There were a few riders who tried solo moves off the front but their efforts were short lived and all dropped back into the group after a lap or so.  I never dropped out of the top 5 wheels most of the race.  Part of the reason I was feeling good was because I was avoiding the accordion effect that permeates the back half of the field in a technical 8 corner crit like this.

With 5-6 laps to go I was near the front starting to think about how the finish would play out.  No one was working and I found myself on the front into the headwind which was not where I wanted to be.  I finally stopped pedaling altogether and waited for someone else to take the front.  At this point my heart rate dropped to around 150 which is practically fully recovered so I was feeling good when the flurry of attacks came with 4 to go.  One guy who I’d been watching all race took a flyer into the headwind and another unknown rider followed.  With two off the front I did not hesitate to let them go.  My race plan was to let any attacks go with less than 3-4 riders.  Not realizing I could have been #3 I watched them ride off, confident the strong wind would bring them back in a lap or two just before the finale. 

Unfortunately my plan backfired and within 10-15 seconds they were far out front and I was to far back to do anything.  After another lap I realized they were stronger than I thought and had a good chance of maintaining the gap to the end.  I half heartedly chased but the gap was to much for me to bridge.  With one to go I decided to focus on the field sprint and pushed the pace.  I looked back and realized I had a gap and pushed a little harder into the headwind.  I had a small gap and into the tailwind I put the hammer down to make sure I didn’t get passed.  I wasy flying full speed and railed the “s” curve creating a bigger gap between myself and the chasing field.  Keeping the pressure on in the downwind sections I made the turn into the last headwind straight.  I put my chin on my handlebars to get as aerodynamic as possible and went all out.  I knew the field was falling further behind but I didn’t look to confirm I just kept pushing hard.  Into the final 2 turns and onto the sprint straight I knew I was very far in front of the field but this is where I’ve been burned in the past.  Not wanting to turn around and risk getting passed I just pushed harder and at 200m launched into a full sprint.  When I crossed the line I looked back and the pack was way behind me.  I probably looked a little foolish sprinting all by myself but still a solid 3^rd place.

I was pleased with the finish but angry at myself for letting that 2 man break go.  If I’d hopped on the wheel I would have won the sprint and the race.  Still, it was a good effort and I was rewarded with a Wooden Clog for my 3^rd place effort.  It was a great day and weekend of racing and the first podium of the year so on the drive home I was on cloud 9.  I keep making improvements as the season progresses which is all you can ask for at this point in the year.