2011 Perry Race Report

Time Trial -
For this being the first time trial of the year for me...I had no expectations of doing well, other than getting out and having a solid effort. I was able to muster up a solid 5th place and gain some omnium points. The Perry TT course is great for an early season test. I still have a ways to go, but was happy with the effort after only riding the TT bike 2 times since the summer.

Circuit Race -
The circuit race had a solid field with some teams very well represented. We did not have any real plan today, other than follow moves and watch the larger teams. From the amount of teams represented, I felt like a break had a good chance of making it, given the course certainly suits sprinters. The first half of the race, Jake and myself attempted to follow moves and try to latch on to a break attempt. I was on the brink of just giving up and sitting in until the end.. but at 4 or 5 laps to go, I saw a Guy (Matt) from Litespeed up the road with several Litespeed guys holding on the front of the field. I put in a hard effort and was able to bridge up and start working with him. After 1 lap or so of being away, I realized a lot of the effort was coming back to me. I would take pulls all the way up to each corner, Matt would pull through, and I would pull the rest of the way. I knew this was going to take it's toll, but I was committed at this point and had to at least try to make it work. With about 2 laps to go, I dropped Matt.. I was now on my own. I took some big digs to try to separate myself from the field to make the move stick, but it was all for not. I was pulled back with about a half-lap to go and finished behind the field sprint.

Road Race -
Before the race.. Jake and I had a simple strategy. Ride 3 laps.. Race 3 laps.. (Thanks Eddie H.!) After watching a 4-5 man move go from the gun, I had no problem sitting in and letting some of the larger teams do the work to pull the move back. Given how hard the course is, combined with the wind, it was all to imperative to conserve energy and "hold on." The first 3 laps where for the most part, relaxed and steady, but attrition was occurring at a steady rate, after each exit off of the clay, a quick glance over the shoulder always resulted in seeing a much smaller field. Going into the 4th lap, I was feeling good and knew that I would have to stay close to the front to watch any moves. I started to surge slowly up the second climb after the feedzone without attacking, I surged just enough to put the "screws" on the field to try to encourage a chase group. Fortunately the move worked, and about 8-10 guys came with me, splintering the rest of the field.
We were able to bridge up to the original break by the 5th lap, going into the dirt section of the course, another 3-4 man move took off, which would be the winning break.
It was one of the few times I was toward the back of the field on the dirt, and the mistake was a great one, as I had no way of bridging up. From that point of the race until the end, I just focused on following moves and not getting blown out of what was left of the field.
I was able to hang on for a solid 14th place, I will note, that I started my sprint waaaaay too early, I could have done a little better there.

I ended up 6th overall in the Omnium and was happy to finally race in some solid weather.

Cheers!!