So I got out to Westlake for the first time in '08. I was torn on which race to do, especially when I saw the east siders out in force. I was questioning my fitness and bike handling, since I hadn't raced Westlake yet this year. (Just ask Juan about my cornering...) I figured that the B's would be a safe bet and would give a good chance to work with some of the new guys on SBR.
I didn't get out of work in time to get a warm-up in, so I was hoping for a gradual ramp-up. My hopes were let down a little by the neutral lap taking off at a 20+ pace. After the first turn there was a quick push to 27-28mph, but this was short lived. Once the pace settled down I worked my way toward the front. There were a couple of small moves on the front and SBR did well marking these. As I finally got into position in the top 5-6, a solo rider shot off the front when we passed the staging area. Michael Larimer marked this well and the two had a noticeable gap in short time. 3-4 riders started to chase and as we passed the 120* turn there was another gap forming behind them. I knew it was way too early for a break of 2 people to succeed, so I didn't try blocking at this point; but I also knew not to chase. Just sit on and follow the wheel in front of me.
After about 1/3 of a lap, the chase caught the 2 solos and it was time to go to work. 2 SBR in a break of 6 was definitely an advantage worth working for, so we quickly went to work taking good pulls to extend the gap and encouraging others to work hard. It took a couple of laps, but we eventually had a comfortable gap (which should be expected with plenty of teammates back to block).
What I think was the 2nd prime was taken comfortably by Michael for 1 point. The rotation quickly resumed. A cash prime which I took in a fast but uncontested sprint. I was feeling really good, and as the A's break and then field passed - it was tempting to jump on and forgo the B race. I knew I couldn't abandon the break and the guys in the field who were working for us.
From this point we hung off the A group for quite about a lap as they weren't going a great deal faster than us. After the A field slowly snuck away, our break seemed like a fast paced group ride. Everyone pulled about the same length and same speed. I was rotating off immediately before Michael and it seemed we both were taking pulls that were slightly longer and faster than the rest of the group. It was work some times, but I wanted to try to keep the pace above 24-25mph.
With 4 laps to go, I figured it was time to start looking at strategy. I started taking slightly shorter pulls at first, but making them faster and breaking from the group ride mentality. I thought it would be better at this point if Michael weren't right behind me in the rotation, but I didn't want to start showing our cards yet.
As the pace increased a rider or two had dropped off, leaving us with 5. As Michael would pull through, I told him that he shouldn't ride along side the group as long, but instead find shelter in the draft. As he pulled off again and came to the back, I told him that I was going to jump and hang to the back. I thought we understood; but as I jumped for the first time with 1-2 laps to go, I looked back and he had came around the group with me and was trying to catch my wheel. This was really less than optimal as we were doing considerably more work than the rest of the break. I sat up and we settled back in. The games had begun
The pace picked up again heading past the start/finish and here is where Juan dropped off. After we passed the staging area it was more of a competition to stay off the front than anything else. Rick Bennett was really playing the game well and Michael was finding it hard to keep off the front. I emphatically convinced him to stay on a wheel as I took a couple of jumps to shake up the pace.
A little ways past the 2nd to last turn I popped off the front again a little ways, but quickly sat up and acted like I was trying find my way to the back. As the other riders slowed to stay behind I dropped a couple gears, stood, and launched. I looked back to ensure I had a gap. Seeing that I did, I knew it was time to nail it. I slowed slightly rounding the last corner, but I quickly got back to over 30mph.
With 200m to go, I had extended the gap a little, but I was still worried about the sheltered riders launching after me. I kept it buried and the next time I looked back I was happy to see that Michael was pulling around both riders. As I rolled through the finish, I was able to look back and watch my teammate do the same. It was a great day for team tactics.
