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| Will Koehler: 11th, Cat 3-4 | ||||
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Sometimes a race goes your way, sometimes it doesn't. This is one of those races that just didn't. Based on how well the group appeared to be climbing each lap I felt that sitting in and waiting for the final climb was a risky strategy. Instead I decided I needed to finish the race in a small break - preferably filled with people I could beat on the climb. With this in mind, I tried a few attacks at various parts of the course to look for weaknesses. But repeated attempts from myself and others, the field was very quick to cover each attack and nothing was getting away. Eventually, on the last lap, I could see the strains of the race showing in the peloton. Gaps were forming between groups in the rollers and I tried to keep the pace high and break a group away. Finally on the last big roller I really put the hammer down and got a HUGE gap on the field. I dove down the descent and hit the tailwind section. When I looked back a group of 3 was on their way up. I waited and we worked well together quickly building our lead on the field. I was elated. I was pretty sure I could out-climb everyone in the group and they were driving me to the base of the climb safely ahead of the field. Unfortunately we misjudged the field. In what seemed like no time, the field went from almost out of sight to being right on our tail. Airborne was driving hard at the front of the chase and we were caught just at the base of the climb - totally demoralizing. My legs were fried and I had to contest the final climb with a bunch of fresh legs. I held on for 11th. |
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