Michael Winegar’s Race Report; Girls Scout Camp, Amarillo, Texas: 1st Place
Where to start?
I guess with the fact that I got a did get to pre-ride the course. This is one time that is actually happened. For the most part I do not get a chance to pre-ride, and that is a bad idea when the course changes every 2 weeks.
I decided to to run the same gear that I have ridden all season, but after seeing that the start was to be uphill I thought it might have been a bad idea to not switch to a bigger cog in the back. I was worried about getting stuck in the accordion line going up the next hill.
During the Staging I was pushing off the line that I REALLY wanted, but I did not want to be want to make a big fuss about since we are there for fun and not one is making big bucks. So I just decided to move over into the lose dirt and readjust my start plan. When the “gun” went off I got a good start and looked to my right only to see a guy moving over on me. Rather than freak out I just slowed down and moved left out of the line of fire. I then picked up the pace to get out of the way of other racers and try to stay out front. I was going out harder than I had planned since the start was uphill and I really did not feel I was geared right for the start. Once I got to the top of the hill I was glad I had not changed the gearing as there was a flat section that I was able to put a small gap over second. I tryed to keep the pressure on and make sure that there was not more than 2 or 3 of us together at the top of the next hill and it worked. The second place guy and I rode close for the next lap and a quarter before the guy in third came on strong and made up ground and over took 2nd. I was at the top of a hill when I noticed that the guy that was in second faded and 3rd was coming on strong. As I went over the crest of the hill I knew that if I could get to the single track in the lead that pacing would be tough. When I got to the start/finish the 2nd place guy was on my wheel. So,I was forced to pick up the pace, and remembered thinking that the next two laps were going to be to trip to the hurt locker. We rode together for the next 1/3 lap before I noticed that there was a 5 to 10 second gap between us. When I got to the longer climb, I was able to look back and noticed that 2nd had faded another 20 seconds. I knew that with a gap of 30-35 seconds I could allow myself to recover at the top of the climb, but not relax, it is racing after all. I then rode the next lap and a quarter solo frequently checking to make sure that 2nd place was not making up to much ground. I was able to push hard enough to maintain the gap but still have enough to stand and push i ton all the climbs, and have enough to sprint the climb to the finish.
After the finish I learned that 2nd crash twice on the 3rd lap.
Felt strong w/out ring over my head.
Great race!
Great coach!
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Michael Winegar
Integral Fitness
806.382.7079