Oakland Gran Prix Elite 3s
"Just plan to podium and then you can relax." Is all I told myself this last week.
Sunday started off really well. Traffic was light going over the new bay bridge, found a parking spot right up the block from the start/finish, and I had a really good mix on my shuffle to listen to while on my rollers. I was really fortunate enough to have a good grip of friends and acquaintances there to cheer me on. It really helped me knowing that support was there and I couldn't let any of them down. The start was quick as usual. Someone had attacked right off the first corner, but was caught fairly quickly. Data Driven Athlete dudes were again a striving force at getting a successful break. So every time a random racer would take off a DDA dude would go with and another DDA guy would come up to the front of the field and try to slow it down. Now every time this happened I waited a couple seconds to see if anyone else would try to counter these moves!...1....2... Nothing. So then I attacked. This happened I way to say four maybe five times. Until there was a break that stuck with a DDA and random for about two laps. I was probably the reason why they got caught. But once they were back with the pack I attacked. Brought a DDA rider (Curt Mills). For two laps I pulled and kept giving Curt the movements of "hey come up and pull" but I heard and saw nothing. I did get quiet upset at the moment but then realized that he was just slowing me down to get his buddy Eric Brickler to come up and drill. Which he did! But Eric had brought Alex Lockwood. Who didn't last long with us. He had hit one of the deadly raised gravel on the second turn of the course. Stephen Cabebe (Leopard/Sapporo) took Alex's spot once he broke off. So Eric, Steph, and myself crushed it for the last six laps. We pulled efficiently and kept getting more and more of a gap. Due to the awesome work the other DDA riders were doing blocking the field. Thanks again for giving Eric and I another podium. Bell lap we kept the pace up. I knew Eric has a strong sprint and hadn't been in a break with Stephen but as we came towards the last corner to the sprint Stephen blew the FUGG up! Blasted around the corner. Having Eric and I to chase. It was pretty much set that Stephen had the win. I was about a half bike length from him. But as I said a podium is all I wanted/needed. I'm stoked to have been riding with the two. I really hope to see them upgrade early next season.
Thanks again for all the support. I have one more race of the season but I'm gonna be chillen! It's copper town circuit race. I love the course and will be there to ride for friends. But after that! Base miles and try to prepare myself for the butt kicking of the P/1/2 field come January.
