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