Big Ol' Alameda GP Report

Alameda Grand Prix Crit, 35+ 4/5, 11:10 am start, 45 minutes
Distance covered 19.0, ave mph 24.5 mph, RacerX on the Felt

Racers (8): Adam, Dave, Paul T, Joe, Maurice, Mike, Richard, Xeno

Adam Martin's report (Pictured at right, also did E4 right after this race): I carpooled with Paul. We did a couple of climbs in Clayton on saturday and they might have taken some out of his legs. Joe, Dave, and Paul I think attacked early. I was too far back to see what actually happened. Wyatt and I were at the back and the pace was so high that the rear was was disintegrating. I jumped around soon to be dropped riders to close the gap. Wyatt was stuck and chased for a lap. A few laps later I see Maurice, one of our designated sprinters, in the parking lot. I thought maybe he got pulled since his tires did not look flat. Moving up was extremely difficult. I asked Mike to fill in as our second sprinter. The attacks were seemingly endless. I found Rich and told him that Mike would be sprinting with him. When the lap cards went up at 7 to go I moved up. I found the buildings to be good shelter from the cross wind by going up the right gutter at the elbow right turn. I see Xeno cover a TP move. Then a couple of riders attack with me on their wheel. Next lap another rider goes with me on is wheel. Next lap another 3 go with me on their wheel and another rider on my wheel. Wyatt drags 2 riders up and we have a break of 7. I looked back and I think SJBC and Spine were chasing. I think the riders used up their energy bridging so the break wasn't too organized. Next lap a Spine rider who had been chillin at the back hammers off the front with me on his wheel. At bell lap I looked back and Richard was well positioned. I locked the inside on turn 3, unfortunately Rich got bumped a bit and his position slipped. I saw him fight for the last corner though for his first top 10 finish. Way to go!

Xeno Ras Report: We got lucky with weather again! And we're keeping our top 10 finish streak alive; for BAR/BAT, should it begin again. We made a large impact in the overall race in our largest field of the season so far (75). I stayed for results and Asturias was in 8th, my #300 revealed a '41' finish - was the pack still that big at the end? Plenty crossed the line behind me. Well, as promised I made my big 'move' at 3 laps to go - luckily, I finally got a lap count and got the wheel of #280/Lasik center to fly right up the outside and jump for daylight in the final turn & S/F, stretch. Unrelatedly there was a wee crash on the inside of the final turn with 3 to go - was that where Mike B busted 2 spokes? I was so far OTF at the S/F the announcer even read my name. Cool; shoulda had the family there. Hope it helped, I stayed in 1-3 wheel most of the lap and it was stretched out - I could not see who was just around me before my move or else I could have escorted someone up front fast - I might have hit it just a little too hard, dunno. I was able to see some of the sprint (looked like Richard was flying up the left lane up to the front; but wound up some other red-gray dude, see photos). Suddenly there's dude down, then standing up, with ass rash right at the F line! w'happen! (from photos & reports, clif bar & peggy rider Tom Adams crossed lines, but it was clif's front wheel & down yee go). According to Richard, "He almost slid over the F line on his ass... he woulda beat me!"

My other big action came at around 8-12 minutes into the race, a Trumer got a good gap and I saw no EMC in front to respond. I came from pretty far back to get halfway across only to realize the guy on my wheel is also Trumer. So, tried to give the chasers a target and just keep pace high. I saw all of us take our time & turns at the front - good work guys! Wish I could've done more - Whew - that was fast; legs a lil heavy from almost 3 hours on saturday. I found I could move up on the outside/windward side. Mostly clean & safe until the few bonehead moves toward the end when dudes are cooked and adrenaline kicks in. Learned Trumer was/is strong - Bauer/Gunderson, plus a few others; basicall controlled the race, ended up with a 5th place. They went on to dominate the E 4s race. I stayed to see Adam in the 4s finish - nice work! He was to hang in until the finale whipped up.)

1. Mark Patten/Jesus Chong/Newman's Own (also go 2nd in 45+; gotta upgrade soon, eh?)
2. Robert Evans, blue guy, indy
3. Tom Adams of Peggy (also 4th in the E4 race)
4. Steven Mielich SJBC
5. Scott Bovard of Cyclesport/Trumer Pils
8. Richard Asturias EMC/Vellum
Complete results at: http://dogbarf.com/race/2006results.htm

Gotta say, That was awesome! Except Mike B's spokes & dropping Maurice. But we had 7 guys finish in the 53, more than any other team; Trumer had 6.
Xeno