Valley Of The Sun
After learning I had to attend VOS this year I geared and
hit the road with Chepe, Danny and Justin.
On the way out I had about 5 hrs to think about the race and
just think in general about life and how blessed I am to have a loving family
and a healthy clean career. I also thought about the NOW team "No opportunity
Wasted".
I say that because every since I’ve been a bike racer, when
it came to time trailing, I never took it 100% serious and I said to myself, it
will change today.So for the TT, I made sure to get a proper warm up, have a
TT bike and all the necessary equipment.
The winning time for the TT was just under 29:00 minutes for
the 22.5k TTI finished 3min back at 32:00minutes. I know it’s a lot but
I was very content. For the first time I didn’t get caught by anyone, in fact I
caught two people.
For the RR everything was going good. The legs felt good but
the pace was really slow. Ouch had the race lead so they road tempo for the
first 2 laps of the 5 ½ lap race. After going so slow I heard a voice in my
head that said “ if they don't attack, you attack” so that’s what I did. (who
ever wrote that to me in a email….thank you). After the field caught me, I came
back yelling calling the peloton a bunch of punks for allowing three guys to
control the race. I guess I crossed the line with some guys and soon later guys
started to attack. I found myself in a two-man break that went clear and opened
a 2min gap that stayed clear for 2 laps.
We were caught with 1lap to go. As were approaching the
final climb, Chepe, Danny and I are lining it up for the sprint and possibly for
the win. With just about 1 k to go, the race car pulled in front of us and
stopped the race do to a crash just ahead of us, that they couldn’t clear out of
the way in time for our finish. RACE
OVER…EVERYONE GETS THE SAME TIME.
Can you believe that? (This is why VOS is not what it should be, because
of things like that. In my opinion, the officials made a very bad call to stop the finish with last than 2k to go).
Moving on to the crit.
Again, Ouch hits the front and everyone and their mother
just follows…I just cant believe it so I attack and get the race started. After
trying to be in every break, I’m going across to a break and my chain breaks.
I roll to the pit and ask if I can get a spar bike, the official
in the pit says tic, tic, tic. I’m like what? He goes, tic, tic, tic….the clock
is running. I’m like you
disrespectful dick head. That pissed me off so bad. (again another reason why
big names don’t come to this race, thats no way to treat anyone).
It took me three laps to find and bike needless to say I wasn’t
allowed back in after he told I would be able to.
Chepe pulled off a good win by surprising the field with 1 lap
to go after Justin set him up. Chepe gets win #1 in RR colors. Justin 4th Danny 7th.
Next up....I dont know...
