Westwood Velo Paolo Zenoni Memorial Day 1

Cat 1,2

        Hunter took 3rd place today from the small field of 15 elites assembled for the very muddy day 1 of the Westwood Velo Weekend at Bear Mountain in NY.
        Even though there was little rain over the week to the area, the ground and topography didn't let water drain. By mid day the upper parts of the course were as muddy as can be imagined. It took most racers by surprise. Hunter got a good start and powered thru the first sloppy section into 2nd place. The eventual race winner, Richard Sachs Team rider Christian Favata led wire to wire. Hunter kept him close for the first lap, but then in a slick corner, Hunter wiped out, letting the gap go up to 30+ seconds. There was always the chance that a mechaincal to the leader would stop him, so Hunter kept on the hammer.
      Riding an aggressive rear tubular he brought just to be on the safe side, Hunter was able to slowly charge thru slightly uphill muddy sections that others were running. The wet, thick mud was 4+ inches deep and the rest of the course was covered in thick, long grass. Pretty much a drive train's worst enemy. Hunter was putting time into third place with the next 3 laps, but then slid in the mud into a brick building that was making up one side of the course. Hunter pinballed off his shoulder and hand and went down. He lost time thru all that but was still a solid 20 seconds ahead of 3rd place. He was able to get going again, hand bleeding badly, and hit 3 laps to go.
      Next lap after that, on a short, steep ride-up that Hunter was acing every time, his front wheel hit a rut at speed and at an angle, causing a couple of inches worth of front tubular to come off. Fortunately he was able to squeeze the tire back to the rim and continue on. There was no pit bike waiting for him so he had to take the fast corners on that tire with care for the rest of the race. That, coupled with the fact that the drivetrain on his bike was starting to act up with all the mud and grass caked in it, let the 3rd place get back into it. Hunter had to run those sections he was riding for the last 2 laps due because shifting in high gears wasn't possible anymore and the fact that the bike was about 30 pounds heavy by now. He had to give up 2nd place but was able to calmly ride the last lap to stay on the podium for 3rd place.