OK, i've read a few of the so-called "race reports" out on the world wide web from stage 6 and it just amazes me how poor the accuracy is of race dynamics. Especially given it was a criterium, which conveniently passes by the the exact same spot twice per lap...so it shouldn't be too difficult to follow. I realize my frustration stems mostly from my own vanity (ok, entirely) given the lack of press on a day we were very well represented, but it is also unfair to our sponsors. So, since this is a sponsor directed email...here goes my very biased view of the tactics on the road for stage 6 of the Nature Valley Grand Prix. To set the stage, let me state that this course is famous for its difficulty and the term "criterium" should be loosely used to describe the course in that it is 20 laps of a 1.4 mile circuit. The difficulty comes mainly from Chilkoot Hill, but also from the nearly 1k of false flat and continued climbing that comes after the famous wall. Personally, I have been wanting to tackle this beast for years and was pumped on Sunday when that day had finally arrived. The race started with the token first lap flyer initiated by cyclocross superstar and generally well received nice guy Tim Johnson (Ouch/Maxxis) and was countered a couple of laps later by his teammate Floyd Landis. A couple of laps after that Floyd was joined by 3 riders, a Colavita (Wamsley i think), an Amore, and one other that I didn't pick out. They were then joined around the mid-way point by Alex Hagman (Ciclismo). At this point the Bissell led peloton was holding the break between 15 and 20 seconds. That is when I made my move across to the break with Anthony Colby (also Colavita). I believe we were also followed by eventual race winner Phillip Mamos (also Amore). This break was too big to get much of a leash from Bissell so Colby attacked the break on the very next lap up Chilkoot hill, and then i countered the attack up the last rise on the false flat after the wall. This pruned the break down to 4 riders including myself, Colby, Mamos, and one of Mamos teammates. We then went to work and blew the gap back out to 30 seconds. This was the winning break. Unfortunately, I couldn't stick Colby's wheel when he attacked with 2 laps to go, and I blew sky high. About a half lap later I was passed by a very fast moving Ouch led peloton which was only about 15 riders total at that point. I hung on until 1 to go but was pretty well cracked and dropped off from there. Fortunately, Justin was also just off the back of the peloton and he helped me home to hold on to a top 20 overall.
For BikeReg.com / Cannondale, the 2009 Nature Valley Grand Prix was highlighted by our amazing volunteer support of Michael Staunton and our amazing host Connie Green. Without both of them, and the support of our sponsors, we wouldn't have even made it to the starting line, let alone the finish. So a big thanks to all of you.
Stillwater Criterium - pic of break
http://www.velonews.com/photo/93380
Full coverage of Nature Valley Grand Prix
http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/9th-nature-valley-grand-prix-ne
