Saturday in Plainville
CAT 4,5 race
Dillon, Joe P, and Antonio were out in for the Cat4,5 race. Antonio, getting stronger week by week, was mixing it up in breaks, giving the sprinters a chance to relax. Dillon got a top 10.
Cat 3,4 race
VICTORY! Gregg, Joe P, Chris and Joe K were out. 26.5 mph average! C-nuts, IRS medics, Central Wheel, they were all out in force. 50 plus riders.... Joe Kubisek Won! Here are his thoughts on the day:
Rushing as usual I get to the start line just in time for announcements. Joe P, Gregg, and Chris B are saddled up with the rest of us and ready to rumble. Warm weather, sunny skies, and almost no wind equals a big hungry field looking to turn some screws. All the usual teams are present and accounted for including, IRS Medics, Expo Wheelmen, Bethel Cycle, Central Wheel, and of course taking up 1/4 of the field are the Cyclonauts. The race starts off extremely fast for the first 8 or so laps, first race of the year for me so everything seems fast. No real breaks to speak of tried to go away, different teams at the front driving a fast pace really prevented any attacks. 1st prime is at 25laps to go, I figured if I happen to be near the front at that time I'll make a go of it.
With 26 laps to go I find my self up front and the pace is not to crazy.....weird.....we come around one more lap.....I see 25 on the board and I start sprinting.....I'm all alone.....and not even going full gas......turns out they ring the bell to signal the prime lap when the board shows 25. (rookie mistake) So now I'm the lead out man for the entire field. Oh well.....I decided to give it full gas for the entire lap and see what happens.......2ND PLACE.....thats what happens! Crazy! Cyclonaut came off my wheel with 1000m to go to get 1st. Second half of the race was pretty uneventful, a couple of guys tried to get a break going including series point's leader Guido W. I could see the frustration building as he could not muster any support to give it a go. Gregg and Joe P were holding their own all race long looking strong and keeping pace. Gregg asked if I wanted to go for the 2nd prime but I told him probably not, I wanted to save it for the finish. He let me know that he would be there for me with whatever moves I wanted to make. The C'nauts took the 2nd prime pretty easily as the pace picked up and lap cards were now in the single digits. Gregg and I were sitting mid pack and in good shape.
With 2 laps to go everyone was jockeying for position and the pace was getting faster.....as we cross the finish line for the last time, the bell is rung and as I look to my right I see Gregg and Joe P coming along.....we all looked at each other and Gregg buried himself to get to the outside....Joe P and I followed closely. Gregg drove a ridiculously fast pace into the wind for a full half lap around the back stretch passing half the peloton. Gregg pulled off and Joe P nailed it passing the rest of the group. I shouted at Joe P "Just get me to the corner!" He did just that! Rounding the final corner I am leading it out.....I can see Mike Norton on my right trying to make a pass.....that's when I gunned it....head down....full gas to the line. I hear some grunts behind me so I know some guys are close but I held it to the line! WOW! Awesome win......The best feeling in the world to come across first with such a high class field. I'm no Mark Cavendish but I can honestly say I know how he feels after a big win and the first thing he says to the reporters is "I owe it to my team!" He usually goes on to give massive props to Mark Renshaw and George Hincapie....Today I give HUGE props to Gregg and Joe P.....with out them I could not have won.
Joe K
Sunday in Bethel
Cat 5
Antonio continued his strong weekend with a 14th place in the cat 5 race.
Cat 1,2,3
Hunter, despite getting in late the night before and not having enough sleep, rode at the front all day, being very selective about the moves to go with. A strong headwind right after the hill kept anyone from attacking hard and long. Hunter got into a brief move halfway thru with the right guys but was caught in a lap. He then settled in for the sprint. Of interesting note was "LT"'s race. Little T was riding his first Bethel as a member of Mike Mcginley and Rondo's team. He got into a more with 2 very strong riders with 5 to go or so. LT is a super strong sprinter, and was unable to hang with the breakaway pace the other 2 were setting, getting unhitched and caught with 3 to go, effectively ending his race. Just goes to show you need to be a complete rider!
The last 3 laps were fast and consistent but Hunter was able to line up in strong position, hitting the base of the hill 8th wheel. A rider in 5th position whipped hard right as he started his sprint, knocking everyone on the brakes and out of line. Some split second pinballing and shifting caused 2 guys to go down right in front of Hunter. He escaped by riding over a wheel, leg and sunglasses. "It was the closest to a crash without falling I have ever been in... Hands down... Very scary". Matt Inconigilous, always a safe sprinter, from Stage 1 wasnt so fortunate. He got the wind knocked of him bad, a couple of cracked ribs, and whiplash. We wish him the best and fast recovery. It is a shame when bad sprinters end a good race and hurt others.
Hunter's top end continues to improve with smart training and is looking forward to being able to race in Plainville this upcoming weekend with some team support. "It was a no finish on paper, but considering how i felt and the way i saw the race i'm marking it a good race"
new kits, new blog, and winning races, looks like were off to a good season....
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