7/6/07 posted by Denis Osowski
I posted the following tale of Master's Nationals glory written by George Liolios because, as he more eloquently states below, isn't one to call attention to himself. Read on and GREAT JOB GEORGE! YOU DONE US PROUD!
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Generally I'm hesitant to write a race report in fear that I may appear like a 500 lb. gorilla pounding his chest, saying "hey look at me". So let me apologize up front and say I just wanted to share my experience at this year's Master Nationals.
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Let's start with the miss conception that a lot of younger riders have that masters racing is easy, which is far from the truth so don't be fooled by the gray and thinning hair. However, I just wanted noted that my hair is not gray I have it highlighted for affect! All you have to do is scan the start list at nationals in any age group to see the names of former pros, national and Olympic riders, and Cat.1 and Cat. 2 riders wheeling their bikes to the start line for fast and furious racing.
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Prior to departure I gave both my TT and road rigs a bath and waxed and shined them to a high gloss along with a new shine to my Sidi shoes. If nothing else, you have to look good for nationals. I packed the car and Joanne and Rosie our 75# yellow lab headed east to 7 Springs, PA to compete in the TT and Crit. Rosie has made lots of road trips, but this was her first nationals and she seemed pumped for this Excellent Adventure.
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We planned on going straight to race headquarters to sign in pick up my race packet, then check in at our lodge and then out to pre-ride the TT course. We arrived at HQ around 2:30pm to be told that the start times were not going to be posted until 3:00pm which turned into 4:00pm and that we were not permitted to ride the course since it was on interstate 219 and that violators would be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. They must have talked to the local coppers in NE Ohio. I was hoping for an early AM start and got my wish with one small nuance: I was starting first out of 500+ riders at 9:15am. In all my years of racing this was my first time being the number one out of start house.
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The course was very unique in that we rode on interstate 219 and started on a dead end. We raced on the north bound two lanes, which were divided into four lanes requiring us to go out and back twice on a 5K course for 20K. Picture if you will your left hand palm down with the start at the right side of your wrist and heading out and around the thumb making a 180 degree turn and then out and around the index finger, then back out and around the second finger and then finishing at the wrist! The roads were smooth, and the lanes well defined with a million cones and the turnarounds well marshaled volunteers giving out instructions. On the plus side since I was first to start I didn't have to worry about passing riders on the narrow lanes and had a moto lead, which was kind of cool. I started first and finished first so for a brief time I was first on the leader board. Ultimately I finished 10th matching my previous best finishes in Colorado Springs 23 years ago and in Louisville 3 years ago. I'm pleased with my 10th place out of 39 riders considering my entire race was in my HR Zone 5.
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Saturday the next day was our Criterium in an industrial park in Somerset, PA. The course was nice, safe and well suited to race on, but not spectator friendly. First thing I did was check with the starters to see if the races were on schedule, while Joanne was scanned the results sheet from the TT. She caught a huge error; I was now listed as a DID NOT START the TT. I pointed this out to the officials, who investigated and corrected before the end of the day!
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After a good warm up I rolled over to the start area with 2 to go in the current race and noticed my front tire had a slow leak. Thank goodness for Shimano neutral support. They changed the tube in a wink and off I went to ride a couple of laps on the course.
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Another snafu popped up at the start line. The chief official announced that there were 17 names on start list and 49 riders lined up! She said all the outlaws had to immediately remove them selves from the start line. Hold on now cowgirl that can't be right, do you think we all got counter fit numbers? Cooler heads and common sense prevailed and a correct start list was secured from the pre-registration web site.
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A few race instructions later and we were off. It seemed like we were strung out nose to tail for most of the race with someone getting shelled each lap. The race was safe with everyone keeping the rubber side up with Kenny Fuller winning in a solo effort. The rest of field finished in a field sprint with me ending up in 20th place.
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Overall I'm pleased and had two good days of racing against the best in the country.
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I'd like to finish by saying that masters racing at nationals are unique. We have the opportunity to meet new people and make friends with riders from around the country forming a camaraderie, wishing each other good luck and cheering each other on in our races. Although we all show up in Team Kits each of us also have our own personal support team; our wives and in my case my Rosie. It's our wives that are double checking start times, results, filling water bottles, helping pump up tires, and making sure we are eating right. After the race they offer a kiss, a hug and compassioned ear as they listen to our rant. Rosie is there for moral support and happy to see good old dad is OK, madly wagging her tail with her unconditioned love regardless of the race outcome.
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I thank God for the desire and ability I have been given and as the church sign read, "Too blessed to be depressed".