Tokeneke Classic Road Race

Cat 3 

      Joe K and Cosmo represented CCR in the Cat 3 field for this epic event. On a normal day this course makes the toughest competitors cringe. Today was even worse with cool temperatures and a hard driving rain all race long. There were 73 riders pre-reged and only 66 brave enough to make the start and at the end of the day only 45 finished.
        The race began with a tolerable pace due to the rough conditions and Cosmo and Joe were riding smart at the front of the group staying out of trouble. There were a few solo attacks during the first lap but they never got out of sight. For the most part racing was just staying focused on the road and wheel in front to ensure not to make any silly mistakes. Eating and drinking to stay fueled and warm was top priority but difficult especially on the long descents. The first time up the finishing climb was fast paced but Joe & Cosmo were able to hang with the pace easily. Heading into the hills on Lap 2 there were already some tired legs with grunts and groans coming from some of the riders. No real attacks on this lap either. It was tough to stay warm on the downhill's as Joe was feeling the chills and even shivering at some points. Cosmo seemed to be alright with a base layer and arm warmers to use when needed. Smart move. The pace was fast on the assent of the final climb again with some major gaps and splits in the field opening up. Cosmo was riding strong with the front group but the hill started to take it's toll on Joe as he was slowly loosing contact with that group. He dug deep and turned himself inside out to catch back on by the start area and it was onto the 3rd and final lap. The hills, rain, and chills were taking it's toll and after catching back on fueling and recovering was priority. A few attacks tried to get away but nothing succeeded. Joe and Cosmo were still with the main group over the first few hills on the final lap until we hit the last section on 181, reservoir climb. First Cosmo and then Joe got popped off the back. This section cracked a lot of guys, one by one riders were coming off.
       Cosmo threw in the white flag and rode to the finish with panache as he was not going to quit today. Joe muscled onward as the lead group was with in sight for many miles, trying to claw his way back. He settled in with a chase group of 6 riders, pace lining as best they could to catch the peloton but to no avail. Once at the base of the final climb it was every man for himself. Joe finished the day in 31st, 5:54 back from the winner. Cosmo rolled across in 42nd. Not the best day for CCR in the 3's but proud to stick it out and finish.

Cat 4

      Gregg, Dillon and Jordan were in the 4's. Jordan was looking for a top finish to get the needed upgrade points, Gregg was coming off some good training in the hills and Dillon was fired up to test out the new Kite bike and see if he too could continue with his improvement in the hills. 

      Jordan quickly made his way to front and drove the pace for much of the first lap. The first time up the North Hollow Rd finish climb, there was separation and Jordan was right there where he needed to be, in the lead group of about 20. Gregg soon settled into a chase group of about 8 guys and Dillon was a little farther back. Everyone stayed out of trouble, despite the 2 crashes and the multiple flat tires that happened during the race.

      Jordan's group would get cut down to about 14 guys on the backside of the course, but he had to settle for 6th for the finale. Still a solid finish. Gregg hung in there for 23rd place at 3 minutes back. Dillon was glad to roll in at 41st place. 

Next up: Cyclocross! Yep it's that time and the season again cracks open with the Cyclenaut's race up in Springfield Mass on Sunday. The road season isn't over just yet though as the Green Mountain Stage Race looms in the short distance and a couple of guys from the team will be making that trip in a 2 weeks.