Hello Gang,
Is everyone enjoying the HEAT!!!! This is the time of year when we can
look only a couple of months away to some relief. THANK THE LORD!! I am
ready to put on some arm warmers and enjoy some cool fall temps and some
long rides to the bakery for muffins. Better yet, we have the Vegas Cross
race coming, the bike show, and the Mandalay Crit. Still have a few races
to go including San Pete Road Race this weekend, Mt Charleston next weekend
and Mt Everest Challenge for the truly sick.
My tip this week involves sacrifice tactics. Now this is a term I made up
but this is how it works. In any break away or bunch sprint it is
important to use the weapons at hand to give you or your teammate the best
chance to win. That means you will need to quickly analyse the members of
the break and their contribution to the break and how they may effect the
chase effort behind you. It is not an accident when a really good rider
stops working in a break. That rider has decided that the mix does not
support his chance to win. Maybe you are towing a sprinter around the
course and he is not working, or maybe a guy in the break is a race
favorite or high on GC so you know the field will be motivated to keep him
on a short leash. The better you are at establishing a breaks chances, the
better your efforts will be fruitful. A good team will continue to launch
guys off the front to soften the field until the real attack is launched.
That is the sacrifice tactics. The key to making this work is that all
your members have to be a threat in order to actualy soften the field.
That is how you keep the weaker riders guessing!! That struggle of trying
to make the right break is the chess game of cycling.
TNW
We had a good race this week with different breaks being established and
than brought back for another attack to go off. Kenny Bingleheimer was
very active in the front. A Red Burro showed up and was going off the
front at every chance he had. If you did not know that was Mr. Francis.
This guy used to be a member of the National Team when that meant
something, hence the strong pulls. A late move had the Boss rockin a break
up the road but too many chiefs and not enough horses and it was brought
back, despite Kircher pulling like a locomotive. I launched a counter with
Big Calfs Lance on my wheel. We held it until one to go when RS and the
Boss launched an attack. Now you know you can not let the Boss get away
with one to go. With RS pulling him to the hill the Boss sprinted away for
the W.
Thursday Night Heat
This was the first week on a new course on the Henderson side of town. The
course is fantastic with a little rise on the back stretch. Nice technical
corners and smooth pavement for .7 of a mile. There was a small group for
the first night but the speed was worth the trip. Temps were high and
pouring water on your body was a good idea. If you want to come out this
week the are going to start at 6:30 to avoid some of the heat. Kenny
started the fire works and held a lap or two. Luna launched a counter and
the Fat Man went with him. We built a small gap and started to work hard
on the riser. As the field started to fall back a little more pressure was
applied and the Fat Man was solo. Not wanting to ride by himself he lapped
the field so he could hang out with the Squirrel and the Boss. RS and
Kenny were anti social and went off the front for the last couple of laps
so the PT team swept 1-3. Gagne launched on the corner for the field
sprint.
Brentwood Grand Prix
No results were posted yet so if you have something let me know.
Danny Kam was 22nd in the Pro 1-2 after being pinched out in the last
corner. I understand Ivan Dominguez was in the field so I am sure that was
a good sprint.
Hillary was 3rd in the Pro 1-2 woman. That is a nice podium. Good Job
Hillary!!! Looks like all that TNW action is continuing to pay dividends.
She has had quite a season.
On the local front I heard Kenny and Balch ripped up the loop on Saturday.
I stayed home to get out later and do super secret heat training. Damn I
hate riding hung over in 110 heat. The Boss was checking out the
Charleston climb and Chicken was riding his couch trainer while watching
the Olympics.
Random Thoughts:
Wow the track events rocked at the Olympics. Chris Hoy was incredible in
the Keiren. He won by a bike length and was pulling away. That is just
raw power. If you get a chance check out the madison. Cavendish is in
this race and it is by far the most exciting track race to watch. TRUST ME
How about Louder winning Utah in front of his family. NICE
San Pete is Saturday. For all of you all Crit all stars, this is a road
race you could do well at. It is rolling terrain with no hills. it is a
good race and a chance to get upgrade points for you thrill seekers. you
can get the info at Sportsbase online.
Mt Charleston is just around the corner. Hope all of you are coming out to
represent and show off your climbing legs. Again I will say it for the
100th time, support local racing. I have no chance of winning this race
but i do it every year to get my free pancakes. If you suck at climbing,
wear a funny wig, bring some wine and cheese, and jsut enjoy the ride. As
the Troll used to say "See you on the mountain"
We are getting to that time of year when people start changing teams and
scrambling for sponsors. Hope all of you secure a good sponsor for next
year and make your teams stronger. It has been a good year for vegas
racing and results so I hope the momentum continues.
I hear rumors of a Vegas womans team being formed. I hope that comes
about. There have been some impressive ladies performances this year and
you all deserve to be on a good team together. A team that trains together
and races for a common goal will always post better results. Good luck
ladies.
Rashaan wins the National Crit Title in Downers Grove. That boy has some
serious speed. I hope he does well in England.
I liked the new course on Thursday. A little hot but the course is good
and with a few more riders, we can put on a god show. Come check it out.
Looks windy tomorrow so I am sure there will be some legs being ripped off
and some sideline stretching. See ya tomorrow.
Jim Robbins
