May 14th, 2005 by Phil Esempio/Allied Decals Race Team
For four weeks now, the Category IV racers of the Allied Decals team have tried to come up with an effective strategy to setup a breakaway, and finally, on the last race of the series, it worked. Before the race, Ben Kuhlman, Jimmy MacDonald and I decided that Ben would go for both of the primes, and we would try to set Jimmy up for a break after the 2nd prime.
As the race first started, I wasn't sure if it would work. Orrville, Snake Bite and Stark Velo were all out in force, which meant it would be tough to make a break stick if anyone got organized. Start attacked right from the first lap; I chased the first one down, Micah Zakem went with the second one, and Ben and I chased down the third one. Jimmy was patiently sitting in the back where he belonged. About halfway through the race, the rain started again, and things got a bit dicey for a few laps. I was watching Fred Parks from COBC/Breakaway as well - he took 3rd the prior week when I was officiating - but I had to sit in back for a few laps to recover, as I'd spent too much time on the front. I was out of position to lead out Ben for the first prime, which he took easily; but when the 2nd prime came around, with 5 to go, I was ready. As we came out of the start/finish area, I was sitting on the front; I saw Ben trying to line up on my wheel, although Orrville was trying to box him out. When I felt I couldn't wait any longer - about 100 meters from the bridge - I dropped three gears and jumped as hard as I could. I gave it everything I had, and risking a quick look back I saw that I had gapped the field, with 2 Orrville riders chasing hard and Ben right behind them. I gave one more hard push, but about three quarters of the way up the hill my legs imploded; Ben went by me saying, "I've got it, Phil!", followed by the rest of the field. Rick Parr jumped him for the prime, and went off the front, but this time with Jimmy in tow, as planned! Unfortunately Ben flatted out right after the prime, and I was too gassed to even hang on to the back of the field. Rick Parr ended up sitting on Jimmy's wheel for most of the last 2 laps, and took first from him in the sprint, but Jimmy ended up with a 2nd place in his last Category IV race - his upgrade to 3 was approved that night. Nice job Jimmy Mac!
There was a crash in the field sprint for 3rd, but no one from Allied was in position anyways, and I finished just behind the field alone. No one had anything left to chase down Jimmy and Rick, and the two Orrville riders who went with me on the attack ended up off the back as well - I passed them about a lap later - so it was nice to know I still have enough jump left in my legs to hurt someone, even if for not very long!
Next up: the pain of Chippewa Creek...
Phil Esempio