Walburg and Pace Bend

By Jason Bentley

February 23 & 24, 2008 --

Cat 3 Walburg/Pace Bend short version: Team Tilson Homes/RPM absolutely showed their strength in the races, but unfortunately not in the results.

Cat 3 Walburg: Started out pretty laid back, calm, except about 5 miles in, a break of 3 got away, and unfortunately, they held it the whole time.  We didn't think it would, and TTH decided before the race to take it easy the first lap, but JT (Jeremy Thomson) was ITCHING to get some action going!  The crosswinds picked up on lap 2 of 3, and the field started to hurt!  However, it wasn't until the 3rd lap, with about 10 miles to go, where JT and one other rider threw down a move that BLEW the 3 field to pieces!  It was awesome.  About 6 or 8 riders bridged up to him, and there were about 10 more of us hanging back about 200 meters, but they literally could NOT close that gap (the crosswinds were KILLIN' us)!  JT fired off another attack, but the break did not response in cooperation; they picked him back up just as a few other guys launched their attacks.  JT couldn't hang on anymore, so I tried moving up the field (of 10 or so... the other 40 riders were behind us!) However, it was just too brutal... I was shelled!  I just held on thru the finish climb and finished 20th.  JT was right behind me.  Slade got stuck in the 2nd pack after JT first attacked (he had JUST put in an BIG effort on the front, so he was hanging on by a thread at that point anyway).  Reed held on for almost 2 laps, but wisely withdrew to save it for Pace Bend the next day.

Cat 3 Pace Bend: Started out kinda CRAZY!  The first 3 laps were almost like a crit... there were repeated attacks and repeated chases.  Nothing was getting away at that point, but since the pack was big, it really wasn't too much effort to stick with it.  Then on lap 4, a break of 5 got up the road, and I could see that some strong riders were in it.  I was in the right place at the right time just when 2 riders launched a counter-attack, and I hopped on for the ride!  We drilled it for probably 3 or 4 minutes, got clear from the field, and had the break in our cross-hairs!  As soon as we got there, we worked SEAMLESSLY right into their paceline!  We rotated thru very consistently, except for the steep climbs where the climbers kinda pulled us flatland boys along!  But, we stuck together and kept it going.  Until... I guess it was on lap 6... the official car was parked so it was blocking the road, and we were told to STOP!!  Our first thought was WHAT THE *&%$@?!  The guy didn't have much information other than a crash had occurred.  About 1.5 mins later, the Cat 3 pack shows up.  Still no word.  About 5 mins later, the P12 pack shows up.  Ok, now there's about 200 riders waiting to get thru!  About 15-20 mins later, they open up the road for the P12 field.  Fortunately we were able to convince the official to let the break go for at least a minute before the rest of the Cat 3 field, which to my GREAT surprise worked really well.  Everyone got back into form and we were holding ground!  Until... thump, thump, thump... flat rear tire!  That was it for me, and w/ only about 2 laps to go.  I waved at the TTH boys in the pack as they went by, letting them know I flatted.  Well, it turned out that 3 guys fell off the break, and the remaining 4 sprinted for the finish.  The rest of the boys tried to get into the pack sprint, but to no avail.  It was kind of a maniacal sprint anyway!  So, no major results... I think our best finish was JT in 20th.  BUT, we can take home the fact that minus the flat, we rode VERY well! 

 I can honestly say I am HONORED to be a member of this team!  

 See y'all on the road,

-JB