Elite Nationals

News from the Peloton

Hey Gang,

Sorry I missed last week.  My work has been a little crazy lately.  I will
try to cover all I can for the last two weeks so here we go.

My tip of the week involves equipment.  Since I am flat ass broke most of
the time I completely understand trying to get the most miles possible out
of your kit, or a tire, or saving some money by using half a scoop of
cytomax.  I get it.  The exception to that rule is racing.  If you are
planning on doing a race, the safety of yourself and others is at risk if
you are using worn out shit.  The biggest one of them all is tires.  Even
the big boss PT understands that the only difference between railing that
corner or hitting the wall is a thin layer of rubber.  If you decide to
risk your life on some lonely mountain desent than so be it, but in a group
ride or race you have a responsibility to make sure you have safe
equipment.  Take a moment after each ride to inspect your tires and equip
before you put it away.  If you notice an issue you can address it than
when you have a minute to correct it.  10 min before your start is not the
time to be changing tires or swapping bars.

TNW 2 weeks ago:

A group of 5 got off the front about midway into the race.  With myself,
Hansel, Noe, Vic, and Elderly Pro Cyclery guy in the break it was well
represented.  Vic took some monster pulls that thinned out the group but he
soon found himself off the back with Noe on the climb.  Hansel and Pro
Cyclery guy faded and I was on my own.  Hansel dug deep to bridge back and
the two of us came in for the finish to hold off a chase group.  Hansel
allowed me to take the win for my share of work in the break.  That was a
class move Mr Hansel.

TNW last week:

With a little shit talking going back and forth on the Luv2Bike boards we
had the best TNW of the year.  Attacks were fast and furious with organized
breaks and chase efforts all night.  I loved it.  The Boss was rocking the
front to get ready for Nats and Kircher was pushing the pace hard in the
break.  Gagne and Sqwak Box did some nice efforts on the front to pull back
time.  Ryan J did a nice bridge and the break kept swelling.  At the finish
several teams were trying to put together a surge with Brandon taking
advantage of the infighting to score the win in the sprint.

Junior Nationals:

Opi went down to Cali to fulfill his destiny.  He did a good job to
represent Paul Tracy.  In the TT he ended up in 26th place.  I am not sure
but he think he did this on his regular road bike.  In the Crit he was 8th
after avoiding several crashes and having to chase to get back in.  In the
road race he placed 13th after being involved in a crash.  That is a very
good showing with a top ten for Nationals.

Woman Nationals

Colleen Knutson was 27th in the Woman Elite TT

FIAC Championships Costa Mesa

In the 40+ Crit Jeff Padgett and Lance Coburn were out to represent.  Lance
spent majority of the time in the race tailgunning the rear waiting for the
inevitable sprint at the end of this fast course.  Padgett was active
looking for breaks but nothing got away with Cynergy lining it up for Mark
Scott.  Scott ended up winning with Lance in 6th.  I did not get Jeff's
finish so let me know if you were in the placing.

In the Pro 1-2 race it was me, Kam, lance and Big Ryan J out for some speed
work.  Attacks were constant in this race with the two riders from five
star covering every move possible.  With about 15 minutes left a group if
four containng Nate Diebler got away and the chase effort was weak.  Kam
worked his ass off on the front and than had enough left over to follow a
sweet lead out by Ryan J and Lance to take the field sprint for 5th.

ELITE NATIONALS

Chicken, Little Hurt and the Boss stepped up to take on the challenge of
the Nationals.  This race was going to be a barn burner with 6 20 mile laps
on the ticket.  Many of the top masters and elite riders were present
including last years champion, Walker, Thurlow, Clinger, some Rock riders
and a huge team from Cal Giant Strawberries.  The course was a 20 mile loop
with about a 1000 feet of climbing per lap over an undulating course.  the
finish was a 1k uphill drag race to the line.  On lap one a decisinve move
had not gone off yet and our three heroes were still comfortable in the
field.  On lap two the Boss was at the front on the feedzone climb pushing
the pace and a break of about 25 had developed with a lot of the big guns
at the front.  Chicken and Andy were about 20 seconds behind in the second
chase group.  Lap three saw Old Man Thurlow bridge across and make the
break and Andy and Chicken calling it a day.  Much of the back of the field
got pulled on lap three due to the roling enclosure.  On lap 4 Walker was
off the front of the orig break with two guys from Cal Giant.  On lap 5 he
was absorbed and another group got off the fornt with Thurlow, and Mattis
and Jaque-Mayne from Cal Giant.  Louie was about 45 seconds behind in a
chase group of 5 with the current national champ and Walker.  They killed
themselves to try and bridge but Cal Giant had the numbers game in their
favor.  The group of three stayed away with Mattis taking the W,
Jaque-Mayne in second and Thurlow taking Bronze.  Louie came right behind
in the  chase and held on for 9th.  By far this was his most inspiring ride
of the year and an exciting road race to watch.  I will also point out that
3 of the top ten were over 45 years old.  Amazing.  Good job to all three.

Ladera Vista

Danny Kam scored an 8th in the Pro 1-2 race.  He missed the break but did a
great job to win the field.  I did not get any other results on this one.

Random Thoughts:

HOLY SHIT.  I have 5 more years to train to get to Louie's level.  That was
the most impressive ride of the year against a stacked field.  The mental
toughness to make those attacks and make the front selection is amazing.
He would never say it, but I will.  Post your resumes, talk about great
sprints and who has natural talent, who gets free shit and who deserves to
be on what team, its all bull.  Hands down, undisputed best rider in Vegas.
NICE JOB BOSS

Nathan, great job.  That is a solid showing for your first Nats.

Kam keeps the hits rolling.  He did a ton of work on the front in the race
on Saturday while other riders were waiting for the sprint that never came.

What the hell is wrong with NBC???  I am watching the olympics and had not
checked the internet on purpose so I could see the finish in real time.
Just before jack ass Jim Lampley announces that they are going to show the
finish next, a TV behind him shows film footage of Sammy Sanchez kissing
his medal.  COME ON!!  I know most Americans would not recognize him, but I
did and it ruined the race.  IDIOTS

A little congrats out to a friend of the PT Team.  Lance Wilson has been
training all year to do a good ride at the Death Ride.  He is not a racer
and you wont see his picture in Velo News but this was a big personal goal
for him and I understand he did a pretty good ride.  Hope to see you at
Tour De Tucson, Lance.

Sella, say it aint sooo.  Another phenom climber goes the way of the doper.
Chicken was holding a candle light vigil for him in SoCal.

If you were not at Nationals, you missed a chance to meet the legends of
track racing in the US.  Mark Whitehead, Gibby Hatton, and Steve Hegg were
set up next to us, drinking beer and handing out bottles to the racers.  If
you ever get a chance to pick the mind of a racing legend, take advantage.
I learned more in an hour of bullshitting than I would in five hours of a
race.  When you are talking to an old guy and he drops names like "I
remember when I beat Saronni at the world cup in Italy" that is the time to
turn off the mouth and turn on the ears.  Great suff

JB, we are still waiting for you to come out to the course.  Chicken may
have scared you because he has a man crush on you but dont worry, it is
only temporary.

Hope you guys bring that same intensity to TNW tomorrow.



Jim Robbins