San Dimas Stage Race - Racing With The Pro Ladies
3/28/08 - Time Trial, 3.8 miles of 5% climbing
It was a tad bit windy but it was a nice day. I did my same old pre-race rituals and got psyched out for my first real pro stage race. I paced myself on the first mile or so knowing that I will be getting a headwind after the 1st mile. And knowing that Kim Anderson from High Road is 30 seconds behind me made me ride mentally strong. Soon enough Kim caught me after about 2 miles and she just blew past me. I hammered all the way to the finish passing 3 girls on the way up. After the anxious waiting I found out that I placed 17th out of 71 girls! My goal was top ten, but since the High Road girls were there I gave myself a break. I was content with my finish and looked forward to the road race.
3/29/08 - Road Race, 8 laps/56mi rolly w/ flat finish
With the downhill on the way to the finish line. it concerned me a little bit since I, as a junior, have to race in junior gears, even in senior races. Whilst all the women are able to power down with a max gearing of probably a 53/12, I am stuck spinning with a 45/12. There is a big difference in the downhills and flats. But to my surprise I was able to always be at the front in the climbs and still near the front on the downhill and flats. Within my 8 laps I was able to snatch a 2nd place in a Hot Spot Sprint which gave me enough bonus time to be in a 15th place 3-way tie with fellow local racers, Morgan Kapp and Lana Atchley. Halfway through the race 2 High Road racers, Kim Anderson and Alex Rhodes, managed to pull away from the field. No one was able to catch the duo. Then with 2 laps to go Mara Abbott decided to attack and the national champion left us in the dust as the rest of the field would be left to sprint for 4th place. My legs we’re feeling good so I decided to go for the sprint, I took 4th in the field putting me in 7th place for the road race. With the time bonus that I won, I was in a 15th place 3-way tie with Morgan Kapp and Lana Atchley, which actually still had me in 17th place in GC.
3/30/08 - Criterium, 60min
This criterium was one of the most consistent criterium I have ever done. Again the High Road duo took off again with 2 other local girls but the duo spit out the local girls within a few laps of the race. And the High Road duo just kept making the gap bigger and bigger as the laps went on. I was basically spun out on my tiny junior gears and I had no strength to try and bridge the gap because I saw that everyone that tried got shut down by the other High Road teammates. Once again the pack had to sprint for 3rd and I just tried to hang on and ended up in 12th place in the Criterium. My afterthought on the crit….I rather do another road race.
Overall
San Dimas Stage Race was a great big season opener for the legs. And it helped me realize how fast the real pros are and how easy it is for them to breakaway. I also realized that I am only 15 years old and I am keeping up with the front of the pro peleton and managed to place top 20 and I still have plenty more years to grow into the person that I want to be. I am very proud of myself and I had so much fun racing with the big girls, I cant wait to do it again. Now the California Spring races are starting to roll in…I am resting the legs up for Redlands Classic Stage Race in 3 days, then the next Sunday is Garett Lemire Memorial Grand Prix, then in a few days later I leave for Sea Otter! I have a full schedule ahead of me and I hope to learn lots!
’till next time,
Coryn
Categories: Coryn Rivera, Hub
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