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2007-08-07 08:08:30

Presbyterian Invitational Criterium

August 6, 2007. Home Town Rock Star Race!

Where do I start????How do I end it?  What an amazing night! 

Ok, so here it goes. I worked the whole week leading up to Charlotte at the Crossroads Classic. Neal Boyd and his crew did a great job with the whole grassroots events!

Now..Presby. I was jacked up from the word go. Source energy drink may have been the cause of it...but I think getting to do my hometown race helped the whole thing along. The womens race started off well with the Call ups. I love the callups. The fans get a chance to really see and feel the drama of getting ready for a race.

The womens race was real agressive and all the heat was present. I love to see the new energized womens racing of 2007. Team Lipton was dropping bombs trying to shed the field but...to no avail ....it was the TP show (Tina Pic again!)

The mens race was weird...I mean really weird. You have the tops men crit racers in the world and it was...stagnant? Nonconforming? Square Peg in a round hole? Thad Dulin and John Hamblen nibbled off some big preems by launching a big first lap attack and holding it for 15 minutes. Then, eventually the legs opened up and so did the attacks. Everyone felt the need to try and get it to roll. Johny Sundt of KBS/Medfast stayed away for 15 minutes, countering a move bit after Trent Wilson, John Murphy and Mark Walters nailed a nice gap. However, it just seemed that the teams were happy to chase things back after giving it some rope. Me throwing a curve ball??

So, the clock ticks down and eventually after the customary lulls Pipp and Anthony launch. Now, bear in mind: I think the sprinter teams were comfortable all nite long that nothing would stick so complacency and reluctance to combat attacks was eventually there downfall.

Anthony and Pipps move were not only perfect timing...but perfect in their precision. They went hard from the go and then really pinned it to keep it rolling. The never talked..per say, just kept rolling. Sprinters teams were looking for other teams to do the work. So, Pipp and Jesse clocked in and went to work for the last 10 minutes. 5 seconds....15 seconds. G.O.N.E. They put a clinic on fundamental bike racing. When everyone else is scratching their arse nail em. 

Yosvany Falcon even caught the arse scratchin' with 1 to go. How does that happen with that type of top heavy purse??? Flyer, with one to go???? Stays away??? I am sure there was some head scratchin' going on. You can find the story here

Pics of me with Frank and Jesse

Sundays race at Hanes Park put on by the Cyclesafe.org team was a blazin' hot...hell hot, crazy hot. The teams seemed to be a bit lathargic because of the intense heat. Heck, I was dripping skin it was so hot. Joe Silva from Velonews was there with me. He was melting into the chair. A few efforts tried to succeed but I think everyone was happy to let the sprinters control the field. Seeking redemption for an NRC loss last nite... Toyota United was seeking revenge in this days NRC race.

The racing seemed a bit unique that the straightaway was long and wide, so the racers had the appearance of a melting ice cream cone as they approached the finish line. With one to go no one had control, but the course set itself up for Ivan Dominguez. Long, straight and plenty of places to move on the last 350 meters. Jeff Hopkins flashed on the right, but Ivan had the goods to take a great NRC win.

I want to thank Thad and Erik for giving me the opportunity to do 2 great races in my backyard. I am knackered but ready to go at it again. I love where I live...and the fans showed me and everyone else why!!!

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