MM Racing |
NEW ENGLAND CYCLOCROSS & ULTRA CYCLING TEAM |
Maureen Bruno Roy 's Race Reports
CHAINBITER 9.0 FARMINGTON, CT
CYCLE-SMART INTERNATIONAL NORTHAMPTON, MA
NOVEMBER 3-4, 2007
Last weekend we returned to New England for some classic local races in CT and MA. The weather looked gloomy as hurricanes made their way up the East Coast causing heavy winds and rain showers. I was hoping for a little mud for race day but the high winds seemed to keep things mostly dry.
Saturday’s Race
It was dark and cloudy with a lot of wind and some drizzle began to fall during my pre-race warm up. The course was mostly flat with one long hill and a few sandpits making it pretty fun. The start of the race was a bit hectic since the race before us started late and the event staff was looking to get back on schedule. I was rushed in my pre-race warm up lap since we didn’t have as much time as usual and I crashed warming up and needed Matt to make sure my bike was ok, as I headed out to the restroom, they were calling our names to the start line! I rushed back just as Matt returned with my other bike and the race started.
Here’s where I began to make mistakes….wrong gear off the start line, getting stuck behind someone riding crazy almost crashing everyone into the first corner, really big ( very wrong) gear out of the first corner and so on. I was finally able to move ahead the first time up the big climb and slowly try to catch the top 3 riders. 2 laps later I made it to the riders in 2nd and 3rd placed riders and worked hard to push the pace. In the final turns it was me and one other rider and she was able to ride a smoother line through the final sandpit causing me to chase her in the final paved corner which was now slick enough from rain that I completely wiped out. I was able to finish in 3rd with some nasty road rash on my lower leg. (check out the pics below)
Sunday’s Race
With some sore stiff muscles and a lot of bandaging, I prepared for Sunday’s race. The course was fast with a lot of flat exposed windy sections and a few fun technical turns and twists.
Off the line I had a nice smooth start in 3rd and settled into a fast pace. Chasing superstar Lyne Bessette in to the first few turns until she took off and I was left chasing her and trying not to be caught. A lap or so later I was joined by another rider and we worked well pushing the pace. It was clear that we were not going to get rid of each other and it would come down to a sprint finish. Ugh. I’m no sprinter and Rebecca is well known for sprinting, so into the final turn I gave it my best but she caught me at the line making it look so easy. Another 3rd place for the weekend.
Thanks for reading.
-Mo
