Puerto Rico Wrap Up

So the race went well. As Usual it was hot and sunny during the race, but at least they made our start earlier this time. From a racing perspective, this was one of the best races I've done in awhile. While there was 6 people in the U23 race, there were 19 in the Pro field. I led the U23 race for the first 2.5 laps of 6. Then a Puerto Rican came up on me and attacked, like a road race. I tried to stay with him but then realized that going that hard on the flats was just going to burn my matches. As I recovered he put 40 seconds into me. for the next 2 laps I got time checks and found where I was making and losing time to him. The time gaps stayed consistently at 30sec, 20sec, 30sec. 20 sec. Until I finally bridged to him with a big effort. With 1 lap to go he attacked as soon as I bridged. The gap stayed at 20 seconds, 30 seconds, 20 seconds. With a half lap to go I could see him on the long straightaway’s, but he saw me too. Going as hard as I could, fighting muscle cramps and going anaerobic for 2 hrs i made a few fatigue related errors in the trees. When the gap went up to 40 seconds I pretty much knew I wasn't going to catch him, damn. I ended up cramping bad on the last mini steep climb. I rode hard to the finish, 2 mins behind but finished 8th in Pro field, nice. It wasn't the placing's that had me happy, it was the feeling of really racing for the full 2hrs. So many times I have had to race my race, and essentially by myself for 2+ hrs in races but this time it was true racing, the way it should be. Leading, chasing, bridging back with huge efforts, chasing again, almost bringing it back, fighting the whole time...it was really awesome. Racing at sea level is also another great thing. Full muscle engagement for 2hrs with max efforts pushing huge gears and flying. Its always better the have muscular limits than aerobic i think. Bryan also got a top 10 in pro field despite mechanical problems while $ager won it! YAAAAA! The course was a blast, like riding a roller coaster for 2 hrs.

Running from the competition...


Chasing the competition....


Sager rocking it!


After racing it was time to be heros.


Sign some autographs...


I'm going to miss this place!


Thanks again to everyone who helped and made our trip so enjoyable. Doel Kicks ass at putting on races, Greg and Val are the most badass people ever, being the best hosts to a pair of college students on spring break, Aldy and Yano for hanging out, making apple crisp and being great friends, Haji for building and having our bikes dialed for the race, Jason and the team for the support and everyone else, so many names..... Anyone who does Fontana instead of this race next year is, just like they were this year...DUMB but x2. ya ULTIMATE DURT CHALLENGE!