Dominguez Hills (2/08/09) Race Report From Fil

Fil, who just upgraded a couple of weeks ago sent in a great race report. Here ya go:

Good Job guys!! Hope everyone had a good time and came home with no scratches and tired legs. Here's my race report:

40+4/5
Rolled out and the pace is moderate. Still having jitters from last CBR crash. I settled in and put my mind in the race after a few laps. Other Allegros there were Dale and Bill. In the early part of the race, I see Bill and then Dale put a good effort in front only to be swallowed by the pack. I positioned myself close to the front, trying not to get left behind if there were any breaks. I watch the big teams try to position their riders. At one point, one rider from "now" team went on a break. As soon as he took off and put a little gap, the whole team converge to the front and blocked....not a good sign...they slowed the pace just enough, then other riders yelled "Teammate in front in a break!" in an instant, riders jumped and chased. Funny, they would jump for a little then sit-up not really trying to bridge. I was close to the front and just watching who's going to take off. 3 riders managed to tag the lone breakaway and they probably had about a 5sec gap. Now, I'm watching the rest of the "now" team block again. I saw this as an opportunity to go across. With the big team blocking and if I make it and stay away with the rest of the guys, I'll be in good shape. I tagged the back and noticed that the "now" rider is working hard in front with no help from the other guys. I was expecting the other riders to work with him 'cause they look like they're solo independent riders. The pace is slowing down so I made a move to the front telling the guys "let's rotate" to keep the pace high. The "now" rider agreed and I pushed the pace high enough without killing myself. I flicked an elbow once, twice and no one is coming around. This break is not going to work so I sat-up. With 5 laps to go, the big teams are trying to position their riders. I stayed glued to their wheels and doing good. With 1 lap to go, and coming out of turn 3, I'm in good position. Inside lane about 6 back. Coming to turn 4, my plan was to dive the corner and come out with a good momentum. But, the lead guys didn't turn wide and hugged the curb. I got pinned at the corner and had to slow down. I lost momentum and sprinted hard to make up ground. Came in 15th overall.

LESSON LEARNED: Inside lane is not always the best route. Better to let lead riders take you around the corner and then slingshot around them. Hugo offered a tip not to take that line on the inside and better to take the outside line instead.

Cat 4
Still winded coming to the start line. I told the guys I'll be off the back for a while to recover. After getting my wind back after a few laps, I moved closer forward. I saw Hugo and rode beside him. He told me to keep an eye on Carlos and that the plan is to gather around him with 5 laps to go. I see Carlos close to the front and looking strong. I tried to move up to give him a hand there but I seem to get pushed back every time I make a forward effort. The tempo is somewhat steady about halfway. I saw Greg on the far right motored to the front and pushed the pace higher. I felt bad because I know I should have been there to help him. I was on the opposite side and blocked in and there's nothing I could do. Most of the time, it was Hugo and I who get close to each other and he would give me some advice what to do. When 5 laps to go was announced, it was a signal for us to gather up close to Carlos. It was tough because it was very chaotic in front. With 1 lap to go, coming out of turn 1, Hugo was 2 riders ahead of Carlos and I was a little to his right and the field is a little strung out but not organized. Coming to turn 2 at the bend, a gap opened up and I dove after it expecting Hugo not to be too far back. I just pushed hard here. My legs were hurting but no time to whine right? Came out of turn 3 still in good position. I don't see the rest of the team so I figured they're all jockeying for position in the back. Came out of turn 4 in the wrong gear and wrong position. The pack is sprinting past me and I saw Hugo and Carlos zooming by. I don't know where Greg and Kevin finished.

Note: We had a team meeting after the race and discussed how we did and if we did our role or not in the race.



30 + 3/4
Had another meeting before the race and ask each other what our tactics would be. The team gave me a good advice on saving energy during the race. They noticed that I don't close those little gaps and that's wasted energy. With 1 lap to gor, we were doing fine and jumping from one train to the next. Coming out of turn 3, my legs were really hurting and I'm feeling it starting to cramp. Hugo came around on my left side and looking good. Came out of turn 4 with nothing left on my legs. I sprinted but there was no juice left to make ground. I was so tired, I don't know how the rest of the team finished.

Note: I realized that I'm giving up too many good position especially in the turns.