It’s been a long time, a really long time since I have seen the podium. I really had no thought of getting on one today either. My goal of the day was to keep the race fast and mark anything that looked dangerous. This was our first local race after doing the more “regional”  Tour of C-U. The Regional races usually attract higher caliber riders. So we are back from being little fish in a big pond at the regional races.

The race started off crappy. It was raining, cold and I was not felling all that great. I do not seem to race well when the temps are below 60 degrees. That excuse works great for cross season too!

After calls up we got rolling, instantly a Sammy’s rider flies off the front. On the right side of the road there was a lot of mud I managed to stay out of it. This was not the case for all riders including Joel. He was forced into the mud on the side of the road and slide out on corner one. The next lap john got a flat. The whole time I was thinking “just stay calm”.

Two years ago I crashed twice in the same race here so I am familiar with the course. After John got a wheel and Joel got back in the race things started to heat up. Keep in mid all this happened in the first 20 minutes. After 20 minutes there were several attacks. I tired stay at the front and help covers moves. Several attacks happened but nothing really stuck until about 12 laps to go. Tim slid off the front; not really on an attack. He managed to get off solo.

I went to the front to slow things down. As I did that Liam from xXx came flying by me. He bridged to Tim and they began working together. I thought to myself, “this is perfect!” I know both of these riders and they had a real shot of staying away. After several bridge attempts that didn’t stick, they were about 10 seconds up the road and on a course like Monsters this is just far enough to dangle off the front. Eventually an attack went and I jumped on it, we eventually bridged up to Liam and Tim. We had a gap and there were three xXx riders and two Enzo’s in this move with a couple other teams represented. I think there were seven riders total. I knew Tim had to be tired so I pulled through hard a couple of times. The field was catching up but right before they caught us, Liam attacked again.  Tim responded and was quickly on Liam’s wheel. There were 4 laps to go and they again had a god gap. They dangled of the front for the next three laps while we tried to slow thing down.

Our plan was to lead out Joel for the sprint. We were in perfect team position with a half a lap to go coming into turn three. By this time Tim was right in front of us and everyone knew we were going to catch him. It was lead out time! John was at the front, I was on his wheel and Joel was on my wheel. We were perfect just as I started to say to myself “this is going to work”. I hear that sound that every bike racers knows; metal on pavement. I look between my arms and I see Joel and what looked like have the field on the ground. After that my reactions kind of took over. I knew I was the only hope we had left to grab a podium spot. I had done a lot of work today not thinking I would have to sprint. I can’t tell you the last time I was willingly involved in a sprint but I felt good. I was confident going into the last corner sitting fourth wheel. Right before I started to wind up I see a SSCW rider Joe lay the hammer down on the left side. He made a great move to take the top spot on the podium as I gave it all I had to take the second spot.

I’m sure the crowd was wondering what I was doing because I stayed on the gas after the sprint to go check on my teammate. He went down pretty hard. Joel’s bike was in pieces but the important thing is he was not. I know crashing is part of bike racing but crashing in a straight and taking out the whole field for a hundred bucks is just plain stupid. Joel was a little shaken up but will be ok. Sometimes it just not worth it, some crashes are unavoidable but the crash today was just plain stupid on so many levels.

The Enzo’s team raced well and selfless as always. It so easy to sacrifice yourself when you know your teammates will do the same thing for you. Next weekend is the FRG omnium, which I am looking forward too. See everyone on Saturday!

This is the Master’s 1,2,3’4 – 40+ with the 50+ running at the same time. I am not really a fan or this format, but today it will work in our favor. There are a number of guys that have driven to Champaign for this race only, guys that are chasing the Illinois cup points. I suspect they think they have an advantage over guys that raced yesterday and today because they have fresh legs. This may be true though I am here to get faster by racing into high fitness. This extra work will pay off when I am racing ToAD against some of the fastest Master’s in the country.

Marc Zionts will be racing in the 50+, Gene is signed up in the 40′s. My plan is to get Marc into a break that sticks, and I will try to win the field sprint. My legs are tired from the 30+ race combined with the heat, low 90′s. The race starts and it is really slow, Billy make comment the first lap was timed with the sun dial, laughter. After 3 laps the pace increases, and my legs feel like they are full of cement. HTFU Enzo, since when did your legs have anything to do with racing your bike?

The attacks are going one after another and I am keeping a close eye on Andy Kerr (Bicycle Heaven). This is a compliment to Andy, having all the racing tools. Marc is doing the same and Gene seems to be hanging out in the field. Finally a break that could stick, Marc, David Schrauth, Michael Seguin, and they are looking good. I am at the front slowing in the corners just a little, unfortunately Andy recognizes the danger/opportunity and goes to jump accross. Now I do not like our chances with Andy in that group, so I weld myself to his wheel, sorry Marc.

These are the decisions that need to be made quickly when racing, if the break is good for your team or not. In this case, Andy has the better turn of speed in a sprint which means the odds are not in our favor for winning the race. The group is back together and the attacks continue, I can feel I am getting fatigued and so is the group, if my heart rate is high so are others. Druber calls a prime for the next lap, out of the last corner.

Dave Schrauth unleashes a vicious attack for the line and I try to follow. Finally making contact after the line, I roll through knowing Dave put way more into that effort than required, his legs were tying up with lactic acid. Taking the front with a 10 second gap I keep the pace high but steady. I pull the entire lap then Dave take a pull being somewhat recovered. We continue the 2 man TT with the lap counter saying 16 to go. The move sticks and I do not contest the sprint, Dave started the move and since we are in different age groups, we both win. Dave taking the 40+ and I the 50′s. Andy wins the field sprint fopr 2nd, Marc takes 3rd. Gene finishes 7th in the 40′s and finally our weekend of racing is finished. I am one tired old man.

Next up Monsters and Mother’s day. Safe riding and racing everyone.

Enzo

The stage is set, will the kids stick to a game plan or leave their wing man again? The course is one that favors a break so this will be a great test of discipline. Race to win or race to show how strong they are?

Nick finds me asks me what the plan is going to be today? Lets see how you race without any help. He is not happy with my response and asks again for my opinion. The plan is X and I talk with the other guys about this concept, why it could work.

The whistle sounds and the race is on with Gene and I watching from the library’s veranda, which has chairs and is in the shade. The race is fast and we can hear guys riding the bad line though turn number one. Their bikes are bouncing over the rough pave’ make terribly loud sounds. I am amazed how strong these light weight bike really are. It makes me laugh when you see group riders pointing out these small holes in the road. If they only knew what we as racers do to these bike, rarely with any negative effect. Oh yea the race report sorry, the coffee has kicked in aiding the gray matter to fire too many thoughts at once.

Not long into the race Chris Uberti (Panther) and Jonathan Jacob (Bissel) are working together off the front putting time into the field. A little help from their team mates helps their attempt to win the race in style.

I think there is at least 50 minutes remaining in the race, so it will be about 40k’s worth of two man TT riding.

Keeping an eye to see if the boys doubt the plan again, not yet, they are looking good sitting in the middle of the field. This is a nice change as the pace of the race remains fast.

About 15 minutes left in the race, the two escapees are still 45 seconds up and Druber or Billy calls a cash prime for the field. Nick Ramirez steps up drilling it early in the lap holding on for the cash, also establishing a nice 10 second gap. Nick keeps rolling and I cheer him on, keep it going you have a nice split. Next lap he still has a gap with a panther rider catching him solo. I tell him help is on the way, keep the gas on. The other rider is Ryan Aitcheson, a 21 year young Canadian track star in the team pursuit. This is a good thing and the two of them work together gaining more time on the field. Panther, Bissel, and Enzo’s on the front of the field keeping the pace high enough that the attacks are nil. Tim Speciale is the Enzo’s rider assisting with the work up front and sits third wheel for a number of laps. Soon the two have 25 seconds and seem to be catching the leaders.

I tell Joel to move up, to get ready for the field sprint. He does this but stays about 15th place, we will see how this is going to work? The final lap and the Bissel rider leads out the sprint, being bested by Uberti. Next the sprint for third which not contested, Aitcheson rides away from Nick and the podium is full. Nick finishes an impressive 4th place, his best in a 1-2′s race ever! Now for the field sprint, Joel is maybe 12 out of the corner, which will not put any pressure on the first 2-3 guys. He passes a few guys and finishes 10th, with Speciale sprinting for 15th.

This was a good way to finish the weekend for the kids. They proved they can follow a plan, which is a big piece of the puzzle when learning to race your bike to win. Great work boys.

Enzo

Day two Urbana, this course is a different animal having 8 turns, a slight elevation change, and some rough pave’. What I call a real crit course because bike handling is a requirement. If you can not handle your bike holding speed through rough corners, you will not win this race. Ward will be racing with us today, so the extra guy gives us 5. This is our race to loose being the only team with more that 2 racers.

The race starts slow, about 10 minutes in Gene goes for a prime and takes the money. This was go time as many attacks are thrown at the field. The action is frothy for the next twenty minutes and I notice a shadow following my wheel. Correct, every time I attack there is one guy that welds the gap quickly. I notice this after the second attack and decide to keep doing these fake efforts just to mess with him. Bob counters one of these and has a nice break formed with three others. I like our chances but the shadow, who is in the move does not do any work, and Bob decides to do the same, they are brought back. Negative racing 101, I am sure the four of them could have been gone because the Enzo’s crew were controlling the field well. I am not sure what the idea was to not contribute, but at the end of the day it back fired.

I countered hard but felt hollow from yesterday and was brought back in a lap. Now for the back fire part of the story! Jacob Rytlewski, a first year amateur, that is correct ,it is his first year since 2006 not having a PRO license, who’s racing age is 30. Most likely is 29 or just 30, with his Kenda contract not getting renewed for the 2012 season. Jacob was on fresh legs not racing the day before and the problem for us was none of the Enzo’s guys knew the bio on this guy. After I was brought back, just like one would expect, the fresh legged fast MF’er attacks gaining 20 seconds in 1 lap. I watch and think, that skinny little guy right, he is not going to hold us off for 25 minutes. After 2 laps the split is 28 seconds, now I am thinking who is this guy, we may have screwed the pooch. I go to the front and set a steady TT tempo for two laps, then Whipple does three laps a little faster. I ask Nick for a split and laughingly says 45 seconds, WHAT? 5 laps at that pace and he put time into us, race is over! I am not thrilled that this happened, and find out later two of the guys in our field knew about this guy. At least Tom tried to bridge when he attacked, with the other guy just sitting in the pack. Maybe it was the heat or early season, but if I knew who this guys was, I would have raced differently.

That is the beauty of this sport, well that is how I see it. The ever changing game with no one race ever being the same. This is the part of the sport that has hooked me. So now we are racing for second place which does not excite me one bit. With one lap to go Gene starts the lead out, I take over through turn 1. Bob is one my wheel though I double check this before the wind up. We come out of turn 8 going really fast and I sit up. Heagney is the first wheel I see and Bob is 1/2 a bike behind with 100 meters to go, I am not happy. I screwed the pooch twice in one race, knowing I could have kept my head down and sprinted, most likely holding Heagney off for second. I say this having a full two bike gap with 180 m is a lot to make up for anyone. Should a, would a, could a, all excuses, Mike had a good close to the race for 2nd, Bob gets 3rd, Enzo 4th, Gene 7th, Ward 8th, and Whipple 12th after crashing and taking the free lap. 4 of the five Enzo’s guys in the money. This eases the sting of the multiple ball drops by the captain.

The team is racing well and we will only improve. It will be really fun when we have all the players in one race!

Enzo

Photo by Elizabeth Rangel

Now it is time to watch the kids try to play against some tough, seasoned bike racers. Texas Roadhouse and Panthers have good representation in Champaign this weekend which is good for the young Enzo’s kids. They need a little ass kicking by these teams before going to an NRC race, were they will really have their an eyes opened. That being said, they will race sans Ryan today which is also a good lesson. If they can figure out a few things before Bam shows up, then they will be a force in local races. If Bam was here, they might just sit back and watch him race.

We have a pre-race talk and I give specific instructions to the boys. No need for details, they have a plan that is correct for this course and group of racers. I am watching to see how this unfolds, sure enough, when the first cash prime is called we have an Enzo’s guy going for the prime. This is the only exception to our plan, they have freedoms to sprint for cash if they feel they can win. Nick decides he can, sprints and takes the cash, then goes into TT mode? This is not part of the plan, though not looking like he is putting to much effort into it, he holds on for a few laps sole. One rider joins him, the two stay off the front for a few more laps. It is clear this will not last and the field finally decides it is time to bring it back. No way two guys holds off this field on this course.

This prime move somehow changes the set plan and the others start doing what they think is a better idea.
I do not offer any advises from the sidelines, though I am talking to myself, probably out loud too. So there is not much to talk about after this. The kids raced well though they did go rouge and the results showed that their audible failed. This is a good because we can talk about how to improve, changing 1 thing at a time. Tomorrow they get another shot at it. Lets see if they follow the instructions or continue to race like a bunch of Cat 3′s.

Enzo

40+/50+ Combo

South Chicago Wheelman have been putting this race on since before I started racing. The first year for me was 1985 and I was yelled at many times. I was a fresh Cat. 2, maybe 3 races old and was in way over my head. My point is, this should be considered a classic event. The course has been re-paved in the past few years making most of it silky smooth. The test this course presents is speed, it is a very fast short flat course, no matter which direction the Wheelman run the race, it is very fast!

The Enzo’s team plan today is simple, Marc, Gene, and I will be very aggressive. We figure 40 minutes makes for a short race so it will be difficult to crack guys, everyone can go hard for 30k’s, laughter.

We also have a few allies in the ScarletFire boys, Yoda, Stone Pony, and Ricardo. Lets not forget Andy Kerr, Bicycle Heaven, who has plenty of speed and also knows how to race his bike.

The whistle blows and we are off, I move to front lap one in the crosswind section, gutter the field and crank it up to 30 something, holding this until almost the first corner. Everyone now understands we are going to race, not just think about it. So there is not much to talk about since every move had an Enzo’s guy in it and the race was constant attacking. The last 6 laps were really heated and when we read the lap counter, 2 laps to go the field kind of sat up. I understand why, it had been ball buster pace and my body agreed, lets slow down and prep for the sprint, nothing is getting away. Wait we said aggressive shit, and I stand on the pedals one more time, full sprint speed. I do not see anyone try to jump on the wheel and by turn one I have about 8 seconds. I peek after the turn and no chasers, good for me and I kill myself for the entire lap. Next time check maybe 15 seconds, 1 lap to go, the head wind section after turn 1 is not good, I am starting to tie up. Cross wind section stand on the pedals and say this is my sprint. I make it to the final turn and have to stand and dig, because 1 or 2 riders are coming fast. OH well, seems they were not going quite fast enough, holding on by 10 meters for the W. Thanks to my teammates who I know blocked in a turn or two.

Oh yes, I almost forgot, this is for who ever the guys was yelling up,up, up, or on the right, during attacks.

Just in case you have never been told, yelling that bullshit is not a part of racing. What do you think the guys on that side of the pack are looking at? Everyone sees the attack you idiot. All you have to do is jump and get on the wheel, yelling does absolutely nothing! See this video on how Master’s should cover an attack!!!

30+

Race number two will be a motor pace session for me after the many digs in the old man race. This round we have John Whipple, a new member to the 2012 Enzo’s Master’s team. Marc has to leave, family duties, which most of us know about. So we have fresh legs as well as Psimet rider Jason Senffner. Who technically is not an Enzo’s team member, but a family member none the less. The race start, after a few laps Tom Doughty says, this race is slow and we laugh about the lack luster pace. Soon enough things change and we are covering attacks again. That would be the others guys on my team covering, while I watched, saving the few matches I had left for serious moves. The group slows and Doughty rolls off the front, not looking really really fast, but this is one of Tom’s tricks. He looks like he is not going fast but he is and the couple guys with him establish a quick gap. Gene has seen this before so he is in the move. A quick assessment counting heads along with who is represented, looks like this could stick. I move up before turn one and slow the group for the corner with help from Jason. By turn two the break has a solid 12 seconds and looks organized, sweet. Gutter in the cross wind, speed up a little for the sweeping corner, gutter the start finish straight, looks like almost 20 seconds now. Good to go, they are on their own.

Now the group realizes the race is gone with Luke Seeman being the only guy to keep trying to close the gap. Luke is racing with most of his teammates down south at a training camp. Anyway, I am now sitting at the back, relaxed and watching the break on the other side of the course, when I see Gene off his bike in the grass after turn 2! WTF, Gene are you OK? GO GO GO, he yells. I am confused thinking he meant, NO , I am not OK. This means Enzo’s is not represented in the break, and he is not going to get a free lap, due to being injured or broken equipment. Clearly I am not thrilled because now we need to bring the race back together. I move to the front and set a fast tempo for a full lap, then Luke takes over. This is going to hurt, but we are here to race not ride around while the race is up the road.

Two laps later and I see Gene in the pit looking like he is coming back into the race? I back off the pace, and sure enough, he is back in the race, back in the break where he was when he crashed.

Now we have 5 laps to go and a hard attack goes away from the group. I am smiling because John Whipple is with the 3 other escapees, nice cover John, way to follow the wheels into a break.

We get the bell, I go to the front and drill it for half of the lap and sit up. The rest of the small group are going to sprint, they can have my part of that. The wheelman are paying 5 places and there are 11 riders up the road. I am old but the idea of sprinting for nothing does not thrill me. Do not get me wrong, it is good for the other guys to do it. I have used much energy today and am happy with the effort, 1 more sprint is not going to help me.

So Gene finishes 7th and John gets 10th. I am happy with this since Gene was cleaning the Pave’ with his Enzo’s kit, bike and skin, way to finish it off Gene, you too John.

1,2,3, Race

Last race of the day, normally I would be on my way home, but the Enzo’s Elite team has three boys racing today. John Whipple will double up helping the kids when they need it. The crew will be, Nick, Tim, Joel and John. We talk in a pre-race meeting discussing our tactics, who to watch and who to watch out for. The sky is darkening and with rain in the afternoon forecast, we talk about tire pressures as well.

The plan will not be shared, the fact we have one is a good start for the kids. These guys are far from kids, though they all race like kids, only having a few seasons under their belts, if that. The whistle starts the race with the first lap being really slow. I am sitting in the South Chicago Wheelman tent heckling the group for their lack of pace. Next lap is different, they are going about 34-35 past us as we laugh again, some contrast. Lap 3 and one of the kids attacks as he crosses the start/finish line, what is he thinking. The group is going 30-31 and he attacks 5 minutes into a 60 minute race. Sorry, I do not see this as a good move, a waste of energy. So I watch the kids riding hard, working together, but using way more matches than they should this early in the race.

I say to myself, let’s see how this plays out. The race stays fast for 35 minutes with no one getting away, then an attack with a little separation with one of the kids is in the move. I am excited though after they go by the second time together, I see the kids pedal stroke and it is not good. The two other riders are rolling well and the kid looks in trouble. Sure enough, two laps later he is gone, spit out of the winning move!
Anyone that has learned this lesson knows how painful it is, painful between the ears! Now plan B comes into play and we help set the tempo in an attempt to bring the race closer.

I digress, The kids think that the need to bring the break back, when they only have to get close enough for one of them to bridge across solo, or maybe one other. Finally they are close enough about 12-15 seconds. I yell at Joel, go across now! Click, his gray matter digests the info and he stands on the pedals hard. He bridges in less than a lap, impressive, and we are back in business.

This is a double edge sword, the kid needs the experience of being in a break with some 1-2 guys, but we also want to try to win the race. Learn or win, learn it is! So the kid does not allow himself to recover and starts to pull with these guys who have settled into TTT mode. After 3 laps of seeing his mouth be open like a freakin bass, I yell to sit on for 1 lap and recover. Now 4 others bridge and they have eight. With the addition of the others, the guy who wins this race starts to sit on, watching the other younger’s do the work. I am now laughing watching him resting for the sprint, pulling only when he has to, what we call the soft pull.

The group gets caught with 1.5 laps to go but the chasers have nothing left to fight with. The kid has put himself in the perfect position and I almost believe he can pull this off. Maybe he would have if he did not look at the other 3 guys drag racing with him twice in the last 50 meters! He gets 4th by a bike length loosing to the oldest guy in the field. There is no shame in this, he was beaten by a wily old sprinter from his old team.

I am pleased with this race for the kids. They learned much from this event and have some momentum going into the Champaign weekend. They will need it because the racing will be faster and the fields deeper with talent down south.

Thank you for all the help from our sponsors, Psimet Wheels, A.L.L Masonry, Lucky Brake Bicycle, and Giant Bikes, I am quite please with the TCR Advanced frame set, decorated with SRAM Red.

Safe riding everyone and see you in Champaign.

Enzo