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NEW ENGLAND CYCLOCROSS & ULTRA CYCLING TEAM |
Maureen Bruno Roy 's Race Reports
US GRAN PRIX #1 & #2, LOUISVILLE, KY
October 27-28, 2007
Last week Matt and I drove south to Kentucky for the first 2 races of the National Gran Prix Series. Along the way we stopped at a State Park for a bike ride and to stretch our legs and take in the Fall scenery. The weather in Kentucky had predicted rain all week, so I as hopeful for a fun and muddy racecourse.
We arrived at the racecourse on Friday afternoon. The promoters allowed riding on the course for a few hours the day before the race so that the racers could get to know the course a bit. To my surprise it was bone dry but had some good technical turns, run-ups and a big set of stairs. About an hour later is started to rain, making things more slippery and fun.
Race #1 Saturday
Some light drizzle and clouds skies made for a slick racecourse with some tricky sections despite the very fast race with a stacked Pro field. The women leading the race were all current or former National Champs and a former World Champion. I had a decent start and found myself riding with 3 other riders fighting for a spot in the top 10. One of the racers slid out on some wet pavement and it was down to 3 of us going into the last lap. As we weaved around the final corners, I realized it was down to me and one other rider as we sprinted for the last spot in the top 10. I was nosed out at the line and finished the day in 11th place.
Race #2 Sunday
Sunday’s racecourse was faster and dryer than Saturday with some sunshine warming things up a bit. I had a slower start than I would have liked and found myself chasing to get up to the top 10 right away. As I moved up through the tricky sandpit around the corner to the next patch of sand, I crashed into another rider who had faltered (my pal Megan). We untangled ourselves and I sped off in pursuit of the riders in front of me. I ended up riding with a few other riders feeling a little gassed from chasing after the crash and finished up 15th for the day.
Thanks for reading.
-Mo
