Commentator's Corner » Article

2007-06-24 14:06:09

The BIG state

June 24, 2007 Texas...rocks. Austin specifically

Wow...what fun. Period, end-o-story. The race was lights out, the sponsor was dialed in (sorry had to go there AT&T) promoters and friends like Barry, Matt, Lizzie, Todd et all treated me royally.

The 4th stop on the USA Crit Series stopped in Austin and the racing was all day. For those of you who have never race commentated ...a day long event is a bit like a bike race. You really have to save energy, punch the throddle a bit during the early part of the day, but near the end have it all for the kick. I wanted to have all reserves for the Pro Mens race. The womens racing, ironically was with the 3 men. Only 12 gals showed and was silly top heavy with Mcrae, Gauthier and Brandt. So, they proceeded to show the 3 men how to race.

The mens race was rippin' from the go and with local team and last years champion Team Hotel San Jose rairin' to show the big boys how it was done. The race started in earnest when the big boys started to throw bombs. Kristian House, for Navigators, was relentless in his hometown race but never got the right politics and horsepower. Eventually after Frank Pipp flogged it, Stevic countered. Drug 7 guys with. That's it..gnite.

Uh..no.

I saw that Abercrombie and Fitch's Mark Hekman(overall leader of the USA Crits) missed the move. But, they didn't have the horsepower with just 2 guys and him to bring it back.

Uh...no

Rich Harper bruised himself for 1.5 laps and brought the damn thing back...and then Hekman countered. What the hell? He snagged Sean Sulli Sullivan from Toytota and was off. Local boy Phil Wikoff went across in one lap and it eventually they hung 20 seconds on the bunch.

Now this gets fun. 7 laps to go. 20 seconds gap. Mercy Elite cycling decides to come and make chase. Allowing teams like AEG/Toshiba/JetNet to save their big man Frank Travieso some legs. Then, with about 5 to go AEG sends Falcon and Hagman to the front to assist. I screamed at the crowd 2 seconds a lap and it will come together with one to go. Sure as hell, one to go and it's like bombs dropping. Sulli attacked with 2 to go and everyone gets snapped up with one to go. I missed Travieso just beating his bike (literally and figuratively) on the inside, with what could have been an 800 watt lap. Turn 4 comes and the crowd is going bonkers and there's Travieso with loads of time for a zip up and heavenly ascent.

Congrats  to  Frank who calls me his "good luck charm".

Uh..no. He's just one fast mother.

Kudos to all who made it possible...and the subtle undertones of a "Tour de Tejas"??!!!

 

 

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