Re-play

OK, so I figure some of you guys are wondering just how Valley of the Sun played out. The TT was pretty much a standard TT, in that there was not rain or technical sections that played a big role in preparation. With this said, the course was just more than a false flat up on the way out and the opposite on the way back with a descent cross wind. The Rig I rode was pretty quick. Faster than I was on the day. Which is good because I know that once I get myself in better fitness for a solid TT that the rig will be more than capable to help display my effort.
After all the riders did their effort for the day I ended up 13th on the day and 58seconds out of the lead. This was better than last year where I was something like 32nd and 2.5 minutes down. So I was happy with the fact that I was over 1.5 minutes faster this year.
Now going into the road race, my plan was to try and pickup as one if not two of the two time bonuses on the course. That ended up harder than I would have liked. I went with the small group that was trying to get the time bonus, but was nipped at the line by three other guys putting me one spot out of a bonus. This happened one more time. Ok, so I don't sprint as well as the true sprinter, but I was pleased with my ability to freelance my way to the front and almost get a sprint. After going with a couple small breaks and getting reeled back in. When in these breaks I played it safe and did not wear myself out. With about 2 laps to go a break got off the front and with one lap to go a chase group formed and I was in nether. The main group rolls past the start line which is halfway to the finish line on the last lap and I told myself I need to be in the break if I want to win. So I jumped as hard as I could. Now at the same time the main group was catching up with Nate who was a slightly off day, and he yelled into the earpiece "GO MATT GO MATT". Once I get my effort set I sit down and make it across to the chase group which was probably 300 meters in front of the main group, and go straight to the front to try and motivate these guys to work harder. This does not work well, so I take off again. This time I don't stand up, I just accelerate in the saddle and shift to a harder gear and sit back in the saddle and mentally go into my "Belgium" mindset and bridge across to the front break.
Now that I have made it to the front break I take survey of who is there. I see two rider from the pro team rock and republic (Napatalino and Clinger) along with Bobby Lea from Toyota United and a handful of other riders I don't remember. I was looking for Clinger and Lea that is why I spotted them first. After trying to get this group to work with me and failing I have to figure out what I am going to do. At this point we are at the base of the final climb with Clinger on my wheel. So I say quietly to Clinger so only he can hear "Clinger come on lets go." I said this because I figured I would be better off taking him with me than him chasing and bringing the whole group with him, but he declines. I see my opening and instantaneously stand and accelerate out of the saddle until about 100 meters later and then sit and begin to grind out the last climb. I take a glance back and and see the gap I have created. So I continue on up the second part of the climb and take one last glimpse back and see no one coming. At this point I say to myself "get to the finish line as fast as you can so the pain with stop." So I decide go as hard as you can through the feed zone then use the final false flat down to increase the gap if possible. so when I get to the final 200 meters I think to myself shift and stand, now sprint. The next thing that comes to mind is that I am doing this I am actually winning the race. Then the other half of me says no you have not won the race yet, because the line has not been crossed yet. So you better hurry up and get there.
Once I can visibly see the line within 15 meters of my I make a couple more hard pedal strokes then sit up and zip my jersey, and give the "salute." At this point I am in shot and stay sitting upright on the bike just coasting for about 200 meters with a huge smile on my face.
After making my way back to car to get food and something to drink. Since I threw my last bottle about 4 miles before the finish to lighten up my bike as much as possible. Shortly after, I see Nate coming over the climb and he looks at me with a look on his face that said "how did you do" so I yell "I took it with a gap", which I knew would help him get through his final lap.
When the day was all said and done I was happy, no matter what the GC standing were, which I would not find out the details of until the next day around 10am.
I will continue the next entry with post road race and crit stories.

Matt

This is of Nate and myself riding to the criterium on Sunday. The first day I have officially been wearing a leaders jersey for 2007. I was happy yet nervous for what the other squads in the race had planned for trying to take it away.

The picture is of me eating after the road race. I was very tired yet excited because this was my firt win of the year and I did it with a gap over second place.

Friday

Today is Friday, two days out from Pace Bend Road Race, in Austin, TX. Pace Bend is on Lake Travis, about a 45 minute drive from where I am staying. Since the race does not start until 12:30, this means that the morning of the race will not be too hectic. Yes, I will still have to wake up early and start my pre-race process a few hours before putting my front wheel on the start line.
I am looking forward to the race because, I will be playing a support role to the other riders. Which is a good thing, in that this allows a couple of other guys on the team to go for upgrade points to become a Category 1. Since some of the bigger races that the team attends will have Pro 1 races and then a separate race for the category two cyclist. So the more riders we get into the pro field the better our chances of earning a top result. Also having riders play different roles throughout the season helps to keep the riders on the team working well together. This is because a guy knows that if he works for someone on one race, that he will get a chance to be the GC or lead rider at another race.
For those of you who are able to be in the Austin area this weekend and see the race it should be a good one, since there will be some other pros from the area and other regions of the U.S. to have a go at putting a "W" in the results slot for the season.



Matt "how many bottle do you want" Seagrave

Fotos

Here Are A Couple Pictures From The Race.

very late

I have to say Sorry to the 25th power. I have had some troubles with my blog and have not been able to keep you guys up to date on what has been going on. Well to get to the end of the story first. I will have to say that I finished on the top of the podium for GC (General Classifacation) at Valley of the Sun Stage Race.
I am working on getting some pictures posted from the race. So hopefully that will happen later today.


Matt

Valley of the Sun Stage Race!!!!

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday

Ok, this has nothing to do with Sunday or a big blow out sale. I have another book to reccomend "The Lincoln Lawyer" by Michael Connelly.
Today, I found out that my cell phone has a pulse. That is right. I was getting out of the shower and my HR monitor was sitting next to the phone and beeping because the pulse was too low. I thought this was pretty interesting. I didnt think my phone sent out electromagnetic fields.
Other than that not a whole lot else is new around these parts. The season starts in a couple of weeks for the team with Valley of the Sun.


Matt