The buzz around the Dana Point GP was something like the Manhattan Beach GP or any other race that some people come out the wood works to either watch or race. 
After doing the donut ride Saturday morning I knew Sunday would be a great day for me.

It's so weird how i get nervous for small races and for big races I feel like I'm home watching the Lakers.
We (rock racing) thought it would be a break, only because no other strong team had a fast finisher. Don't get me wrong, there was some fast guys there, but no one hold the finished speed as I do, so we played for a break. After 30-45 minutes I figured it would be a field sprint because my guys were ridding exceptional and pulling back every break I needed back. There was one heated moment I'm sure a lot of people saw when I had to go off on my teammate Sergio for ridding like a chicken on steriods with his head cut off. PEOPLE OFTEN TIMES YOU HAVE TO WIN RACES WITH YOU HEAD AND NOT YOUR LEGS.

So back to the race. With 3 laps to go a small group is at 16 seconds but I never worried because Colivita and Rock were missing from the break so they had no chance.

After Caleb, Sergio and Chepe did the dirty work, I was left with Nic Sanderson (formally of Jelly-Belly) to take care of me and that he did.
With two turns to go I sat maybe 8th wheel right behind Nic. With about 200 meters to go into the last turn, I started my acceleration on the far left and quickly went pass the Colivita train which did the final 1 lap on the front.

I'm coming into the last turn so fast I had to do the unthinkable and use my breaks. Lucky for me I had a good distance to second place (Jermiah Wiscovitch) that it didn't cost me a victory.

It was a great feeling to win the Dana Point race. It really capped off a nice weekend spent with the wife and two really good friends Humberto and Maria.
Also thanks to my friends and family and also supporters who cheer for me. And a special thanks to the guys in turn 4 who said i sucked every lap.

Results

1 Rahsaan Bahati (Rock Racing)                                    
2 Jeremiah Wiscovitch (Southern California Velo)                  
3 Lucas Sebastian Haedo (Colavita /Sutter Home)                   
4 Alexander Candelario (Kelly Benefit Strategies)                 
5 Cody O'Reilly (Bissell Pro Cycling Team)                        
6 Eric Barlevav (Team Mountain Khakis)                            
7 Daniel Holloway (Garmin- Holowesko Partners-Felt)               
8 Paul Che (Pista Palace)                                         
9 Uriel Rayo (socalcycling.com)                                   
10 Victor Ayala (Kahala LaGrange)

 

Taking the win at the Dana Point GP. Its my first NRC win of the year. 

I didn't do a post yet for Sunday's crit but since people are busting my chops for not winning ill let you know what went down really fast.
The race was cool...well not literally, it was HOT! like 101 hot. I got into a bunch of breaks because that's what i wanted to ride for. I told the guys in the team meeting, lets ride for a break. So we did and after numerous tries, we got one going. I worked 75% of the time in the break. It was no need for me to drill it with 2 teammates.

Jeremiah saw a chance to hit out early on the sprint with two turns to go. It was a perfect move because I was stuck inside by some guy going backwards after my teammate just hit out hard. As Jeremiah saw the opportunity, he took it and won the race.

Disappointing you may ask. Yes. But the big picture which you guys will never know is that my legs felt great after Saturdays road race.

On to Dana Point

I'm sure most of you have read the news on Ty Ham and his positive drug test. I wont spend much time on this subject because I know it can go so many different ways. One thing I do know about him is that he's a great guy and was a positive piece to our teams puzzle. I hope he works on his sickness and move forward with progress.

Now about racing. For the first time I did the devils punchbowl road race. In the past I always avoided the race because everyone says it was hilly. That it is but I had decent legs and road the climbs with the best guys out there. I even road off the front in small breaks 3 of the 5 laps.  The race was won by Adam Livingston and Sergio was 3rd (rock racing)

Tomorrow is  crit in Valencia and I'm looking to do well there to set up for Dana Point which is next Sunday.

Landis, Bahati enter Dana Point GP

Floyd Landis and Rahsaan Bahati will contest the Dana Point Grand Prix, a USAC National Racing Calendar round, on April 26. Landis will join his Ouch-Maxxis teammates, including defending NRC champion Rory Sutherland, at the race where he guest commentated last year.

"I had a great time last year channeling Bruce Springsteen and Johnny Cash, but I got a feeling the crowd would rather watch me race my bicycle," said Landis. "I'm an endurance racer and prefer mountains to the mean streets, but I can give one heckuva lead out to my teammates.

Criterium specialist Bahati will join his Rock Racing teammates at the event. Bahati will be joined by defending Dana Point GP champion Sterling Magnell in his squad.

"We'll be positioned to give our best at the finish line and certainly look forward to defending last years Dana Point Rock Racing victory," he said.

The Dana Point GP, held on a 800 metre, six courner course, boasts a prize list of over $30,000 USD.