My first stage race

We went into the race weekend with a good amount of riders registered, probably the second most to NCVC and of course the pressure was on me from arriving on Saturday afternoon to do well in the road race, win the TT and then not sure what was expected of the crit but i sure hope it wasn't much.

I want to thank every one for putting so much faith into me and pushing me to push myself to do well. Honestly after the incidents I had over the last month or so getting back into racing was a little nerve racking first and took quite a bit of focus, but with the encouragement of the team and the help of Jeff Erler who let me take my line through the chicane I was able to bridge up to the NCVC riders off the front, on the third lap. Unfortunately I wasn't able to keep up with the two guys that caught us and kept going by, so that mean a lonely 2 plus laps out there by myself.

I knew Matias had a motor on him, from Tour of Tucker County, and I believe being an elite level triathlete, he can just go all day long. My only hope was that Nick or Matt would fall off and I would be able to clinch a podium spot. It seemed after every turn I would look back for the peleton and the drifted further and further away. I am sure some of this from NCVC and EVO trying to keep the pace under control but I think being able to set my own pace and take my own lines through the turns helped some as well. On the fifth lap I knew I had to go for broke and keep away. I had a good pace going, downing lots of water, ended up drinking all three bottles I brought with me because I knew I had to be well hydrated for the TT Sunday morning and any lack of hydration or nutrition would play an integral role in how well I recovered that night.

With the pace a good level, just hammering away, I saw the feed zone was empty so that meant I was on the last lap, just kept going try to carry as much speed through the turns as possible. Approaching the chicane I see an NCVC jersey, was it a lapped rider or could it be Matt who had fallen off? As I approached I saw that it was Matt, thinking to myself I could get third, I put my head down and kept going up the false flat. I think he tried to stay on my wheel but from the look in his eyes as I passed him it was if he was just hanging on to finish. Head down and arms on the bars I get aero for the straightaways and descents. On the wall I took it at my pace, comfortable but no sprint up, that way I didn't have to recover on the descent and could still build speed.

Passing the lap counter I was on my way back. I remember the advice from teammates and other racers about the finishing hills being steeper than what it looks like on paper, especially after a race in 90F+ with little to no shade the entire way. I kept my pace going, expecting to see the peleton right behind I look back as I headed up to the finish. With no one in sight I was just glad to finish.

Not knowing if I had truly gotten third I start looking for Nick or Matias to confirm that it was just them and Matt was the one that fell off. After hearing that I was relieved I got a podium spot as I knew I would hopefully do well in the TT.

After talking with Matias a bit after the race, he said he wasn't going to be able to make the TT or crit because of a prior obligation with the triathlon in downtown DC Sunday morning. With hearing this unexpected news that would put into second place if he were to drop out in the GC.

Honestly I was excited to hear that, I mean who wouldn't be, but I didn't want to get my hopes up. With my teammates hearing the news they were very excited for me and knew that I could a good job in the time trial. So after drinking my recovery drink, hydrating, I change into my compression pants and wait around for the official results, talking with some Matts of NCVC they were finally posted, third, 2:09.9 behind Nick and Matias. That's a lot of time to make up in a TT.

Owell an the way home I called my family and let them know the results and give them the run down, they were happy to hear it as they knew I was very nervous about getting back into racing after my incidents, but encouraged me to. It was a long drive home and lots of thinking about Sunday but before I knew it, I was there.

I made some dinner, drank lots of water and got the bike setup for the TT. I tried to get to bed early but it took some time for the TT start times to be posted, when they finally were I was off to bed.