Stage 1 St. Paul Individual Time Trial 7.2-kilometer course
Two minutes prior to my start time I am told my Trek TTX time trial bike in not UCI legal. Apparently, my aero bars are set about 4 cm too far forward. I try not to panic as the Shimano mechanic makes the adjustment with seconds (literally) to spare. I was so rattle that I nearly rode off the side of the start ramp when I started. I managed to survive the TT, despite the rain and nearly losing control on the rough section of road that passes under a bridge in an “S” curve about a K into the race (a lot of riders had trouble with this section but I don’t think anyone fell). After the turnaround, I got a boost in confidence as I was able to catch the rider who started 30 seconds in front of me. As soon as I caught him, however, I was caught by my thirty second man. The final climb was not my forte and I’m certain I lost a bunch of time but it didn’t reallt matter. I was enjoying all the cheers on the hill. The day’s high point was finding Patty at the finish. She totally surprised me by showing up in the rain to be there at the finish.
Result: 70th, 13:57
Stage Winner Tom Zirbel (Bissel) 12 minutes, 36 seconds
Stage Two: St. Paul Criterium The nerves settle a bit after the morning TT and I line up with 143 others for a four corner criterium in downtown St. Paul. Riding in a tight criterium is one thing in a small field but getting to the front of such a stacked field is nearly out of the question. The tempo was fast and the crowd was really into it. As always, I find myself wasting energy by being at the back. Due to the accordian effect of the group, I need accelerate out of each corner to maintain contact. This also presents the risk of being caught behind gaps but it’s a bad habit I’ve falled into. The few extra meters of space allow me to take my own line through the corners at speed at which I am comfortable. So, not seeing the front is what it is. As the race neared the end, more and more riders started to to crack and I moved up a bit. This is the point of the race that I love. Everyone is on the rivet and you’re totally focused on holding the wheel in front of you. I heard my name on very lap and in every straightaway. It was awesome. Until… with three to go, a WM rider crashed very hard in front of me in the fast turn one. After nearly stopping to avoid the melee I chase within a few meters of catching back on to the group. However, the pace is too high (pros were killing it up front bringing back a small breakaway) and free laps have expired. I crossed in 108th, 36 seconds back. Local rider, Adam Bergman was in what appeared to be the winning break when, with just two laps to go, he clipped a pedal and fell, losing his chance for a hometown stage win and finishing 116th. We all spun out our legs on the ride back to Jen and CJ’s (our awesome hosts in Mendota Heights) after the race. It’s so nice not to have to drive home after a race… Stage Winner: Lucas Sebastian Haedo (Argentina) Colavita/Sutter Home
Stage Three: Cannon Falls Road Race
Everyone was in a good mood at the start. We parked next to the women’s team from Australia and chatted and joked a bit. We all hopped up on FRS and Wheel & Sprocket Development Teammate, Kennett Peterson from Oregon”was taking it up a level and keeping it there” today. Very funny. The stage started and the fun ended. True to his word, Kennett managed an early breakaway. Andy I rode at the front to control chasers but we all knew that the break would be short-lived. I tried to ride at the front but there was so much aggression and risk taking that I switched to survival mode halfway through the race. At one point half of the Bissel pro team hit the deck in a straightway. Wheels were exploding and bikes launching in the air. I was hoping for a relatively calm (or at least safe) road race but attacks were relentless. Riders were cutting diagonally across the road at 70kph, atttacking from the shoulder, chopping each other and trying just about anything to get away. And then it got worse. There were several crashes as the large field funneled from the two lane road onto the narrow and very soft gravel section that took us onto the final circuits in town. The gravel section was only a kilometer or so but it was decisive for those of us caught at the back. I was fishtailing sideways and could barely see the man in front of me from all of the dust. After some nervous riding we entered the closing circuits in Cannon Falls. After losing my position in the gravel I chased back to the group and tried to take a deep breath but before I knew it there was another horrible crash. A bike flew in my face, knocked my helmet and landed on top of my bars. Somehow, I managed to get clear and not fall. The effort to chase back on again turned out to be the largest efforts of the week. I had to go so hard that I just I lost it for a few seconds. I was desperate to stay with the bunch but the repeated efforts were ust too much. The closing circuits were quite technical and the tempo set up front was unforgiving. I continued to chase through a hamstring cramp and ended up in a group of four with teammate Dan Ajer and Chris Doig (Flanders) and Gregg Brandt (GP). It was a big disappointment to lose one minute and 59 seconds to the leaders today. For some reason, the stage really got to me. I think there were a dozen crashes today, some serious. When I finished the stage I nearly fell apart. I know it’s easier up front but I just can’t seem to get there and stay there. Though I never hit the deck, trouble seemed to find me today. Emotionally exhausted today and the legs aren’t much better…
Alejandro Borrajo Colavita/Sutter Home 2:22
