Day Four Longsjo Classic Stage Race

Today was the final of four stages for the race, it was the Criterium and my favorite discipline of racing. The temp on my computer was reading 92 degrees at the start, I knew that would play a factor in the racing for us all.

My plan was to attack at the start and take a chance at getting a small group to the front. I made sure I did a sufficient warmup; I put in an hour solid getting ready and continued to spin right up to we went to the line.

The whistle went off - I went off, it wasn't meant to be though. I didn't get far; it was too predictable and the pack was right there. I sat in for a couple of laps to get myself use to the high effort it takes to sit on the front, it takes a bit more energy than sitting in the pack but it also keeps you in position to seethe moves others make and react quickly.

I figured if I couldn't get away from the group, I would throw some attacks. I prepared to do this immediately after the first sprint points. I went into the line fourth wheel and launched, got away a short distance and others came across but quickly the pack was there too. Others attacked and I jumped to stay with them, I was determined to police the front and either create the winning move or be a part of it. These would not work for any of us, but it wasn't for the lack of trying.

Going into the the last lap, three riders from 545 Velo attacked hard at the front an forced a reaction from Jonny Bold, the series leader (Yellow Jersey), staying attentive at the front paid off, I jumped with them, going through turn 1 & 2 I was now 3rd wheel with a 545 Velo rider, Jonny, then me going down the back stretch. We were going 40+Mph and drive the front hard enough no one could come around us, it stayed strung out heading into turn 3 with Jonny on the front and me second wheel. We exited corner 4 at full speed and at 300 meters to the finish I launched my attack and kicked as hard as I could and drove it down the straight to take the win! It was a great way to wrap up a great four days of racing at the 51st Longsjo Classic Stage Race. I made many new friends and had more support from my family than I could ever possibly expect- they make it possible for me to enjoy this sport. In wrap up I was able to finish in 10th place overall on GC for the series and a payday for my efforts.