May 14 by Doug Williams
So far it has been an excellent series for the Cat 5 Freewheelers, and today proved to be the icing on the cake.
Race strategy: Prior to the race start, freewheelers Tom Lebay, Jared Durieux, Bob Valsi, and myself huddled to discuss a multi scenario strategy. Given that the cat 5 freewheelers had won the previous three RATL's, we were pretty sure that any attempts to slip off the front unannounced would be met with quick response. Our plan consisted of a set of coordinated attacks (during lap 1 & 3) and several feints during later laps should we find ourselves unable to maintain a break away. Pleased to say that with the help of strong efforts put in by all SFW, we planned the win and raced the plan.
From the starting gun, the four of us launched a full sprint attack. Looking back, perhaps this high energy effort at the starting gun may be a slight breach of cycling etiquette, but when the race is only 10 miles long, its not like we have time to hang out and warm up for 2 laps. Come ready to race.
The initial attack caught perhaps half the field offguard, but the remainder quickly closed down our gap. SFW settled into a strong pace line for two laps and a chance to catch our breaths before initiating the next surge.
As we entered into the parking lot finishing area on lap 3, Tom and I readied ourselves. Once clear of the 90 degree turn, SWF dropped the hammer and attempted to take advantage of the windy course and slight uphill to distance us from the pack. Stark Velo's Brian Miner and Unattached Paul Klein marked the move and accelerated with us but the remainder of the peleton failed to catch a wheel. It was four of us off and running (Tom Lebay, Paul, Brian, and myself) I thought to myself...can't be this easy....perhaps a bid of foreshadowing.
For about 2 laps our break-away kept steady pace but around lap 5, Paul began to fade and Brian started to reveal his strategy for a win. Brian knew that the freewheelers had won on break aways during the past couple of weeks, so he decided to pass the pace driving to Tom and myself. I was a bit concerned since Brian had proven himself as a very capable sprinter during the past weeks by compiling two field sprint wins. Tom and I raced hard for another lap and then decided to change to strategy # 2.
Through a combination of alternating feints, Tom and I would sprint ahead while the other sat up complacent with allowing a gap to develop. Brian had to pursue and in the process, we hoped to tire his legs. The game of cat and mouse slowed our progress and by lap 8, the lead peleton had chased us down.
Back with the field Tom and I quickly exchanged notes. Tom had pulled some serious paceline work, but still looked fresh enough to make a go for first at a final sprint.
After cresting the hill on the final lap, Tom settled into 3rd with myself following in the fourth position. Brian Miner was on my wheel and had probably taken this position under the assumption that Tom was going to lead me out. About half way down the back side descent, I began to soft pedal and a gap began to spread between myself and Tom....Brain and the other sprinters who had set up behind me were caught in a lurch and were foreced to come around in order to get back into a good position if they wanted a shot at the win. As we entered into the S turns by the lake, Tom stayed in prime #3 position for the final sprint out, the rest of us were several bike lengths back and jostling three abreast through the turns. Tom set a beautiful line through the final 90 and launched himself into the mad dash to the finish. Tom set his line to the outside whereas the middle began to clog as his lead outs began to fade. Those who chose to go wide with Tom were now trapped behind Tom with no way to come around. I was fortunate to see this development and dove to the inside. With some help from above, I edged out Paul Klein at the line and came across a couple of bikes back from Tom. A Summit Freewheeler #1, #2 finish. Way to go TOM...you earned that one.