Walton Park Race Report

It's been quite awhile since I have posted here, so I thought I would revive the blog seeing as how I have joined a new team and moved to the East Coast.

I have been racing under the XO Communications/Battley Harley Banner this whole year, including my win at the Cal Aggie Criterium in California, but the Walton Park Criterium would be my first chance to race with my teammates.

Walton Park Criterium
Cat: Pro 1/2
Place: 2nd

I really had no idea what to expect at this race. This would be my first race on the east coast in quite awhile. I was excited to meet my teammates and some new people, and the course looked brutal. Upon arriving, I was introduced to my team by my friends Keck Baker and Charles Hutchenson. I also got the chance to be harassed by Dan King, who is a super nice guy.

As I said before, the course was absolutely brutal. Small course, tight turns, and a good size hill every lap. With the cancellation of the Jeff Cup the next day, the start list beefed up with riders like Joe Dombrowski. I was hoping that since I was an unknown that I might be given some leeway and be able to sneak off alone.

The race started off fast and my teammates Mason Haymes and Jared Nieters established early breakaways which I bridged up to solo a couple of times before getting reeled in. Keck Baker and Jake Tremblay managed to get up the road for a 10sec lead and I could tell the field was breaking apart. After a hard acceleration by Dombrowski, followed by a general slow regrouping of the field, I hit it hard on the left side of the course and bridged to the breakaway half a lap later.

At this point we still had about 32 laps to go in the race. All 3 of us seemed pretty strong and I was confident of making it to the line together. My teammate Keck however had other ideas, and he attacked the break with 28!!! laps to go. I felt bad since I was now obligated to sit on Jake while he tried to chase Keck around. Jake was super strong and props to him.

Fearing we would get caught by the pack if I sat on Jake too long, I finally bridged up to Keck solo and we embarked on a very arduous two person TTT. We managed to hang on till the end with Keck taking out the win and myself slotting in second. Someone took an awesome video of the race and I've posted it below. Yes, that's me with the pink gloves.

 

Anyways, it was a great race and I got to meet some great people. Come say hi if you get the chance next race.