Races
Results and Reports

Race Report
USNA
March 11, 2005
By Matt Soladay

It was a cold one and luckily this year, the course was dry...

Mens C Race- Faisal, Cliff and Fred in the house for this one. Pretty decent sized field. After one or two laps a NCState rider went off the front (a little strong to be a C)...he was later joined by one other rider from Lynchburg. This couplet stayed away the whole race as riders joined at the front of the group to make progress but it didnt seem any wanted to put in the work to catch these two very strong C's off the front. Our boys were looking pretty good, but after a couple laps the field split up into several groups. Each of the guys seemed to have their own little group of 3 or 4 and some went solo for the end of the race. It seemed that Fred wanted to be adventurous and attempted to see if the ground was as comfortable as it looked sooooo, he laid down on the infamous 170 degree turn. Upon getting up he took his time, gingerly picked up his waterbottle, then remembered he was still in a race and got on with business. So only 33.3% of our riders went down on that turn so I'd say it went well. Good job guys, it was fun to watch.

Girls B race- Representing the JH to the U was Jess, and Amber. Another case of very strong riders in a race below their capabilities, after a couple of laps...the 3 UMD girls broke off the front and stayed away(I'm sure 2 or 3 of them will be in A's next time). So afar from that our girls seemed to have raced strong, and certainly looked comfortable on their machines. Good, safe riding. Hopefully you guys have more of a group to work with next race so its not so scattered :)

Mens B- #1-Matty B rockin out in the Mens B race. Big field like all the other mens races, and full of talent. I have to admit, I was on several parts of the course throughout the race, so I dont know who finished in the final pack, as a UVA rider picked it up on the last lap to snatch victory pretty easily. From the beginning, a UMD rider was sent off the front to push the pace, one he was spent he went out the back and it seemed UVA and GW had some talent pushing the pace in the front, especially GW who seemed numerous in the B's. I dont remember if there were breakaways, I think it stayed together more then the other mens races. It was good to see Matt back in action as they zipped by the turns.

Womens A- Priscilla and Kaaatie stepped up to the line for this select group. I would say maybe 8 riders participated, maybe 10? The pack was together for the first couple of laps, but it was obvious when the three very strong NAVY riders picked up the pace as it thinned down to them and priscilla. Katie and others gave chase as Priscilla was outnumbered in the front. The NAVY riders proved much stronger than I thought when they pulled away and placed 1,2,3...with priscilla powering home in 4th in front of a girl that joined up with her towards the end. Katie finished...(I dont know what place), and raced strong. Good job girls.

Mens A's- Our resident expert on the men's A's Ed Brignole decided to ride to the Naval academy from Bmore and join our egear TOOOOBY with his tricked out Madone'. The heart was pumping for this one, Talking about some strong riders. From the beginning, UMD sent a rider to sacrifice themselve at the front (just like B's) and push the pace for the others. Shortly after a UVA and another rider broke off the front, as the field gave chase they caught them a couple of laps later and as soon as the two were brought back UVA's Ace Christoph Herby and NCState's Hatcher sprung off the front. Before the field knew what happened, two riders were off the front again, but the main field wasnt sure who was ahead I think. As the two at the front went for gold, the main field was left to themselves to give chase. Various teams put in work on the front, including Ed, but it seemed that there was no pulling back the leaders after the initial gap was built. Toby was in the thick of it for most of the race, but life in the back half of the field huuuuurts as he had to work harder than everyone else since he had to sprint extra hard after the turns and accelerations to catch the bunch. After doing this for most of the race, Toby and a rider from Lynchburg worked well together. Right before the last couple of laps, there were pulled so as to fight another day (and TOBY shall). Ed mixed it up for the most part and I dont know where his final placing put him? Toby looked very strong for this particular freshman racing his first collegiate race in the Big Boy group...all the luck to him to dish out the pain in the road race. Also Kudo's to Ed for giving Toby pointers during the race.

Now, the most important part of the email, CHEERING SECTION. Johan MD(soon?) and I RN(in a yr) were great. We tryed pacing ourselves because we knew the weather conditions and the competition were fierce. At first it was a low mutter, but by the end we were hollering at our riders as they rode strongly against some good competition. All and all, I think everyone had a good race. Good job to all of you who had your first race yesterday, shall it not be your last.

Until next time...

Seacrest out

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