BofA Crit 2006

BofA Crit

Saturday night in down town Charlotte, Bank of America Innovational Criterium was underway just after 7pm. The 100k crit started quick because the race had lots of primes to give away.

I got an opportunity to start in the front because I got a call up and surprisingly; I had some people cheering for me. I didn’t bother to warm up so in the beginning I wanted to take some pulls and maybe go with some attacks so my legs can open up quickly.

About 30min in, I found myself in a group of 6-7 riders. I thought it was a group that should roll it but no one was working. In the group was Gord Frasher (HealthNet) Kayle Gritters( HealthNet) Shawn Milne(Navigators) Jackson Stewart (Kodak Sierra Nevada) and a few more and I cant remember. After looking back and seeing a gap, I tried verbally motivating the group to roll it but there was no luck, so I attack the group riding 1 full lap solo until Jackson Stewart( Sierra Nevada) Came across later followed by Shawn Milne (Navigators)

As time went by, the gap grew and at one point we had over a minute. Out of the three I was for sure the winner, however Jackson and Milne were really strong and I didn’t want to try and match their pulls.

Later in the race, it started to rain and this is when I started to ride very nervously. Earlier in the race, I broke a spoke and needed a spare wheel and what ever rear tire I had was not good in the rain and I was sliding all over the place, making my ride just a bit harder for me because I was 3-4 bikes lengths off the wheels going into every turn for my own safety.

With 5 laps to go it was pretty evident that we would stay clear and I was thinking about how great this would be for my season and the team. Going into turn one with 2 laps to go, Shawn hit the rain gutter, slid a little bit and that caused me to alter my line and I hit the barricades headfirst.

Race over. Lying there on the ground had to be the most embarrassing moments in my life and also frustrating moments. I gave all that effort and I had nothing to show for it at the end.

I won the most aggressive rider award however when people look at the results they will only care about the top three.

Well, I’m back home now with neck and back pains and very little road rash. I am blessed that I didn’t have a season ending injury.