I Wanted to Get a Piece of It

by Jason Bentley

March 5, 2006 -- As many of you were not aware because I didn’t mention it to many people, I went over to Austin to race the Belterra Circuit Race today. It looked like a grueling course and I wanted to get a piece of it! Plus I wanted to opportunity to get a few more of those much needed upgrade points!

I finished in 3rd place. I was happy with the podium finish, but was hoping for that elusive win! Here’s how it went down.  Started off as a pack, but it shelled down to about 15 people after 20 minutes. There were a few feeble break attempts, but nothing even close to sticking. Then a guy went off the front and another guy followed. I stayed on the front of the “chase” group keeping my eye on these two. When I started seeing them work together (they were about ¼ mile up the road at this point), I decided it was time to bridge it up. I picked up the pace, left the group of 10 riders or so behind, and worked my way up to them. It took about 12 minutes to make the bridge, but I made it with a good, steady effort. The three of us left everyone in the dust and it came down to a sprint finish, but I couldn’t generate enough force to contend. Perhaps it was the bridging effort, or just that I haven’t done much hill sprint training this year. I only wish I would have started my “sprint” effort a little sooner, maybe wore them down earlier. But, honestly, I’m quite happy with the result!

The course itself was awesome! The multiple climbs really separated the men from the boys, and with both the Cat 3 and 4 races, I don’t think there was a pack of any kind by the end of the race. Just a bunch of riders strung out along the course either looking strong, or looking like cows giving birth! It was fantastic! Also very safe course. No crazy hairpin turns, but still enough winding around to be exciting!

I highly recommend more people going out to this event next year! That is, if you’ve got the COHONES to try it!!

See you on the road…