The Merco Credit Union Downtown Grand Prix was held March 1st in downtown Merced, CA. Traditionally the season opener for the domestic racing season, the 2008 edition did not disappoint with fast racing action for the full 90 minutes.
The attacks started with the gun and within 10 minutes a break of 11 had established itself. Representing BISSELL Pro Cycling was Richard England and myself, Ben Jacques-Maynes. Also present were Cam Evans, Canadian road race champion; Chris Horner of the Astana team; Kayle LeoGrande of Rock Racing; Daniel Holloway, US Elite Crit champ; two racers from Colavita and a smattering of strong amateur racers.
This group quickly grew a gap and the pace was solid, though a few games were played concerning $100 primes. With 18 laps to go in the race, a few riders said "enough is enough" and attacked the group as the cohesion fell apart. A new group of three were left to fight for the win, containing Chris Horner, myself and Alejandro Borrajo of Colavita. Borrajo was the strongest in a sprint, and you could not underestimate Horner for a last lap attack.
it was not to be, as with 7 laps to go, the tail end of the pack was within sight. I was not interested in lapping the field, as a three up sprint seemed to be my best choice. Horner had other ideas, and personally rode the pack down, making contact with 2 laps to go. From that point on it was all about making up ground through a battling pack, keeping two other guys within sight as swarms of riders thought of personal glory.
With half a lap to go, two tired racers crashed into each other in a particularly tight spot on the course, taking me straight to the barriers and heaping more riders on top of me. I emerged unhurt, but my race ended in an uncharismatic heap, and I rolled across the line escorted by my teammates. The finish was completely anticlimactic as I was looking forward to trying my strength down the finishing straight, where Borrajo beat Horner to the line for the win.
-Ben Jacques-Maynes
No comments:
Post a Comment