Larry Merling made the long drive up to Windsor VT for the relatively new Cross Frenzy Race. This was the 2nd year the race has been run. It's a great location and the shop that puts it on shares a parking lot with Harpoon Brewery. The course was fast, "swoopy" ( ?!) even. Two sets of barriers, the usual grass crit stylings. The promoter has big plans to build one of those flyovers you see in Europe and maybe a sandpit too for next year. Should be good, and something to look forward to. The course wrapped around in front of the brewery so it was a good spot for people to have a beer and watch some bike racing. The brewery gave about 200 free beers to the racers, which you got at the brewery's restaurant, so you could get something to eat and enjoy a free pint afterwards.
Larry rolled up for the Cat 3 race with about 20 guys at the start. Larry had a good start and hit corner one in 5th position. After some fast corners turned into slower off camber stuff the racer in 3rd took place took a fall and also took out the 4th place rider. Larry, with one other rider, snuck around that mess and quickly caught onto the guys in 1 & 2 position. The four leaders quickly got a gap over the rest of the field and from then on Larry and Sean Kennedy from Competitive Edge were taking pulls at the front and keeping the pace high. After a lap or two of this Larry decided to retreat to the back of the group to consider his options. Sean got anxious with 3 laps to go and went to the front and ramped things up. With 2 to go Larry acted decisively and moved past the 2 riders who were sitting in just as Sean was really starting to ramp it up. That made for an instant gap to 3rd and 4th that Larry further capitalized on by heading into the barriers fast and then attacking after them. Sean, no doubt feeling the effort couldn't respond and suddenly there was a 15 second gap with one to go. That let Larry focus on riding a smooth last lap and on hitting the straights as fast as possible. Mission accomplished as he enjoyed a nice winning margin. Larry has had a solid season spoiled often by some unfortunate crashes and mechanicals. Good to see him rack up a solid win.
Larry leading over the barriers.
Next up is our own hometown CheshireCross on Saturday. The trio of Larry, Joe K and Hunter will do their best impression of Cyclocrossworld.com \ Cannondale as they fight it out for Connecticut Gold medals.
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