Valley Of the Sun Stage Race
This year once again I was on the team for Valley Of The Sun Stage Race which became a big cluster F*&* for the staff and team.
Not getting to specific, logistically we were not ready for a stage race because of the efforts and focus being put on the this small race called Tour Of California and respectfully so.
So moving on to the TT. We had big hopes for some of the guys such as Adam Switters to be our G.C guy in the TT so we would have a chance of winning Valley Of The Sun. However between all the riders Adam was only able to finish 13th.
The top five guys in the TT were heavy TT guys like Karl Bordine, Curtis Gunn and two really ugly guys who I don’t know. Sterling flatted before the turn around and so did Rudy. Lucky for Rudy I was behind him and I gave up my bike. So I just walked because they had no wheel support.
The road race was pretty fun, I went out before the start of the RR and did a lap just to get the legs loose and I think it helped me ride strong on the climb. David Clinger got into a break without the 5 leaders and it was perfect for us. Every team within the top ten had to chase so we just set up shop behind them. David and his group that also contained Sterling came back on the bell lap (16miles to go). At the base of the climb we were trying to figure out who we were going to set up for the sprint and everyone turned to me. I was racing on half a lung and a bomb leg. I was just happy to be there.
At the end Clinger lead the sprint out up the hill and for a second thought he had the win until he was passed at the line and had to settle for second.
The crit the next day, I didn’t know if I would race or not. I wasn't feeling well at all with my cold and having a sore goring. So I went out in the morning and did 2 1/2 hrs before the race to see if I would be able to help the team.
I made the decision to race after being checked out by a doctor. I had good legs but couldn't stand up because of my goring.
In the last 5 laps the boys lined it up again for Sterling and Justin. Rudy, Brock, Kevin, Sergio and David did a great job keeping the pace high and take me into the last two corners where I took Sterling and Justin to about 100m to go. Justin won the race and Sterling finished a strong second.
I'm extremely happy with the way the team is coming together and learning how to sacrifice for one another.
Next on the list in Merco credit Union Crit and RR in Merced County.