Green Mountain Stage Race

Tuesday, September, 4 2007

Stage 1: Hill Climb (13 km Climb, 1 KOM - midway)

Today was the first stage of the Green Mountain Stage Race - a 13 km climb that features a 10% grade in the final 4.3 km.

Andrew raced the 40+ field and I raced the 30+ field. It's good to have a team mate out - even in a different field.

The weather today was perfect; sunny and 20 C. There was a strong wind up from the south so the climb was a bit slower  the 30+ race went off on time (exactly) and Andrew's field (40+) was sent off ten minites later.

The climb was steady this year until the KOM (at 3 km to go) there was a brief surge and I missed out on the points (crossed fourth) we gapped the field but it all came back together. After that, nothing but a hard tempo to the top. At 500 m to go, there was an attack and five riders were off. I was sixth wheel, off the back of the lead group but well ahead of the rest of the field. In the end, it was a sprint for the top three and I rolled in only a few seconds behind fifth. My best finish for the Hill Climb in four attempts!

I hung out to watch the 40+ field roll in. Andrew came in roughly in the middle of the bunch looking pretty good - although he did collapse in a wheezing puddle about 5 seconds later.

Stage 2: Circuit Race (85 km, 2 KOM Climbs)

Andrew and I are starting to get pretty tired now so this race report will be a lot shorter. Andrew's field had three riders off the front and the peloton came in 30 seconds or so behind. Andrew was safely tucked in the field.

The 30+ race was quite different from previous years. The climbs were a little more controlled but the rest of the race was anything but. We had a pair off the front that included yesterday's winner (so first on GC is pretty much locked up now) and then another pair followed by three more and then the rest of us. With that many off the front I'm not sure what GC will look like but I'm probably still in the top 10.

It's clear that tomorrow is still going to be a fairly decisive stage and there should be plenty of action.

Stage 3: Road Race (104 km, 1 KOM Climb)

Just got back from the road race. I made the winning break: Gaszi, Laflamme, and I. We had over a minute on the chasers and were feeling good. We made it through the gravel and 2k later, I flatted!!!

The wheel truck driver (in his infinite wisdom) was behind the peloton. I got a wheel change and chased on to the pack, wasted a lot of bullets chasing. We came to the base of the final climb as a big group, maybe 20 riders. The rest was a grind - I was pretty beat from the break and chase but stuck with the leaders until 1K to go. I think I finished 10th on the day - probably not good enough to crack the top 10 on GC. Drag.

Andrew had a great ride. He made it to the base of the final climb with the group. A couple of riders were off the front but Andrew was right in there with the rest. Didn't get his finish position but looked like a top 20.

Tomorrow ... The infamous Burlington Criterium.

Stage 4: Burlington Criterium (sheer pain)

Andrew and I both completed the fourth and final stage today.

Andrew's race started very fast - as always. Quite a few riders were popped but Andrew hung on. He fell to the back of the peloton though and it didn't look like a lot of fun back there. Great ride though, Andrew was smooth and finished with the bunch.

My race was a bit different this year. Normally I finish at the back (I've been last or next to last three years in a row). This year, outside of a sore throat, I was feeling really good so I decided to see if the front was any easier than the back - it wasn't. I took a few fliers and even made a play for the GC sprint but without luck. I crashed with twelve laps to go but got back on the bike and (stupidly) chased for three laps before I realized I was eligible for a free lap. Doh! I took the lap and finished with the bunch.

My GC aspirations didn't add up to much this year but the weekend was, once again, a real blast. Easily the best weather we've ever had and outstanding organization. Already looking forward to coming back next year.