Tonight was the main event of the weekend in terms of crowds down in Ladner. The guys did a great job of staging so we had a strong force at the front of the race right from the beginning.
The Plan: Try to get Carlos away early. If not, get a break with two Exergy. If not, Attack attack attack. Focus on a stage win or at least move Carlos up in the overall classification, trying to get as a many guys in between Carlos and Ryan Anderson (Spidertech & a current leader) in the finale. This left me fresh for crowd prime duties which would come at about 3 laps to go.
The 60 lap event was very fast tonight. Remi and I blasted from the gun, stringing the field out in a long line only just through the first half lap.
Quinn, Kevin and Connor were all over the front all race. Remi blacked himself out going so hard leading it out going into the crowd prime that he was forced to turn the awesome up to a 1000% after some dodging swarming from our competitors.
At one point, Carlos sent me up to bridge to a promising move with Andres but the field was having none of it and worked very hard to eliminate the possibility of a 5 man break with 2 Exergy. But the team kept riding strong and together, going for the many prime sprints and ensuing breakaway attempts.
With three laps to go they rang the $1000 crowd prime bell. I was fortunately riding behind Kevin and Andres who kept the pace very high throughout that lap. Hollaway came from the outside into corner 3 and another rider from the inside. I let them in knowing the tight line out of corner 4 was the straightest and the smoothest. Out of the corner 5th wheel, I jumped and knew that it was time for everything. Having already sprinted with Hollaway for a lesser prime earlier in the race I knew he would swing left and try to pin me on the barriers but in doing so he'd travel a greater distance. Out of corner he had to go outside of both Kevin and Andres on the right during which time I made up most of his two bike length headstart. Again he swung all the way left to try to pin me. At the line however he pushed too early and I was able to get one more half pedal stroke in, leaving the bike throw very late and in the end, perfection! He put in his fist and the announcer claimed that he had won it. I stayed on the front to keep the pace high and when the field came over with 1.5 laps to go, I hit the brakes and bugged out to remove myself from the dangerous middle section (outside the top ten and inside the top thirty). I tried to keep the pace high as long as I could to help the Exergy boys behind but after I blew...well....I blew!
It wasn't until I finished my cool down lap that I found out from Tad that I had in fact pipped Hollaway on the line, proven by the highspeed digital finish camera. It made the evening! Carlos managed a strong 4th in the kick after starting from the final corner 5th wheel. Although we missed a stage podium, he did jump to the top step in the overall and dawned the coveted neon green leaders jersey ahead of tomorrow's final stage.
A great day for the Team. Our supporters at the Muscle Memory tent in front of Sharkies on corner 3 were loud and awesome. It was great to have many of my close family friends in attendance as well. Thank you so much to everyone who was able to share this evening with Team Exergy.
Remi, Mullervy, Diaz and Alzate storming the front of the race
Alzate & Pinfold fight for a late race cash prime
Hollaway & I approach the line for $1000
Ya Buddy!
So recognition on the podium, always appreciated!
Labels: Road Report
