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NEW ENGLAND CYCLOCROSS & ULTRA CYCLING TEAM |
Maureen Bruno Roy 's Race Reports
USGP CYCLOCROSS MERCER PARK, NJ
NOVEMBER 17-18, 2007
This marked the second set of National series races in the US. We traveled to New Jersey on Friday and set out to pre-ride the racecourse. It was a super fast course with a big sandpit and a lot of grassy turns. I knew it would take a lot of power and effort to race well and I was looking forward to running through the sand and navigating the technical turns.
Saturday’s Race:
The race started super fast with a field loaded with National Champs, former World Champs and very fast pro racers. I was in the top 10 for the first few laps and found it difficult to make up any time on the fast course. I was definitely feeling strong in the sandpit run, but feeling safer on the open flat sections by drafting with other riders.
I ended up riding with 3 other riders for the remainder of the race and made an attack the last time running in the sand and was able to hold off the other riders and finish in 14th for the day.
Sunday’s Race:
Predicted rain began to fall making the course slick and muddy. The promoters had changed the course adding a lot more twists and turns which made the course slower and much more technically challenging.
I worked my way into the top 5 for the first lap and was joined by 3 more riders. We worked to push past one another in the slick conditions and put up a fight for the top 10 spots. With 2 laps to go I was feeling strong enough to try to make an attack in the sandpit but slipped on a rutted corner and lost time. As I chased the riders in front of me for the final lap, I was unable to close the gap and finished in 9th place.
More reports here:
http://www.cyclingnews.com/cross.php?id=cross/2007/nov07/mercercup072
http://www.velonews.com/race/cyc/articles/13692.0.html
Thanks for reading.
-Mo
