MM Racing |
NEW ENGLAND CYCLOCROSS & ULTRA CYCLING TEAM |
Maureen Bruno Roy 's Race Reports
Stedman Cross and Caster's Cross Warwick, RI
December 8-9, 2007
This was the first weekend “home” in a long time and we were very happy to be racing locally again. I was definitely feeling tired from all the travel, but planning to peak just in time for Nationals. This weekend would be tough local competition, but I was looking forward to it.
Saturday’s race had some mud on the top of the course and an unusual amount of fast pavement sections. The technical sections were smooth and relatively easy, so it would be another fast-all-out race. At the start I was in good position into the muddy section and I was able to ride smoothly. At the sand section, a few riders fell and I was able to ride around them and take the lead. There was a $200 prize for the first rider to come across the finish line for the first lap, so I was pushing the pace and got the prize.
In the second lap another rider caught up with me and I hoped that we could work together on the course. She was stronger on the road sections and I could lead her through the dirt, but she was riding very erratically and when I told her to follow me, she responded by jerking her front wheel and crashing me hard. I was passed by 3 riders and immediately had to chase them. I caught back up with the gal that crashed me and was getting ready to pass her to get away from her and she was swerving all over the course and crashed me again! In the last lap I passed her and ended up 5th, a bit frustrated but looking forward to the next day.
Sunday’s race was a more technical course with more sand, twistier sections and less long paved stretches. I sat in 3rd place behind Canadian star Lyne Bessette and another strong local rider Amy Wallace and we were able to pull away from the rest of the group through the first long sandpit. I was taking the corners at a risky pace and slipped out just for a second, but it was enough to make me chase back to the leaders. In the end, I wasn’t able to get back to 2nd place and ended up 3rd for the day, much more satisfied and feeling ready for Nationals the following weekend.
Reports and pics here:
Cyclingnews:
http://www.cyclingnews.com/cross.php?id=cross/2007/dec07/verge6_07
http://www.cyclingnews.com/cross.php?id=cross/2007/dec07/verge7_07
Velonews:
http://www.velonews.com/race/cyc/articles/13775.0.html
http://www.velonews.com/race/cyc/articles/13777.0.html
Also, Dave McElwaine was on hand to snap some great action shots. Check them out here:
http://www.trailwatch.net/cross07/warwick/warwick.html
Thanks for reading.
-Mo
