Since I was racing solo, I had a much different approach to the race. I knew that I wanted to test myself but also be strategic about the efforts.
Helen's, Bike John's , Rock, SDBC and all the other regulars made the peleton of around 50 riders. The 3.5 mile circuit course starts off with a curvy flat, into a headwind, a section of rollers and then some quick turns through a neighborhood. It's a good course for a breakaway but I knew that Helen's would be on all efforts. I was able to escape for over a lap around mid-race with some strong riders but the peleton reeled us back. A few other attempts went off the front but nothing stuck. Just as I was thinking that we were heading toward a fieldsprint finish a break of 6 got off the front at the end of the rollers section. When we hit the neighborhood, I knew it would be the best opportunity to bridge. Another rider and I were able to get away from the field and bridge to the break. The SDBC rider who was 2nd overall in the omninum was in the break so I knew she'd work it but there were other riders from the big teams who were riding conservatively. I wanted the break to stick so I worked with the 3 riders that would and we stayed away. Going through the neighborhood section I got into TT mode since I didn't want to back off for the sprinters. I was first into the last turn but was nipped (if you can call it a nip when it's 4 riders...) at the end by 4 riders. So, I got fifth. I'd play the finish differently if I could do it again but it was a fun race. Rode hard and played the game...
Looking forward to a weekend of racing with Jen and JennX!
-Morgan
