Well, I skipped Norfolk this weekend..too much going on...in fact no riding whatsoever on Saturday. Decided my legs felt good though to race on Sunday at the Lincoln GP. Becky, Trey (crazy lab), and I rolled out of Omaha at nearly 10am on Sunday and arrived at the venue with about an hour to spare. Kitted up, embroed up, number pinned on, got Becky and Trey set, and then headed off to find a place to warm up.
After about 20 minutes of spinning the course opened up, I managed 3 laps and then it was time to line up. Course was fast, dry, loose, with just 1 set of barriers coming into the start/finish area. I knew it would be fast. My concerns lied with the tight turns and the leaves now covering the course...famous last words right...or at least famous last thoughts.
Turned out, my 3rd warmup lap was 1 too many as I rolled around the corner to find everyone lined up. I manged a second row starting position...not too bad since is was a small field of 10.
Whistle blew...we were off, I immediately was DFL. Engage the afterburners and I managed to jump to 5th before entering the first of the switchback areas. I was glad I did that too, 1 guy went down behind me and Jeremy Eisenhower blew a tire. Tyler Whetsone got the holeshot and was pulling away, with Rich Pearson, Paul Eichler, Noah Marcus, and then myself giving chase then a hard charging Matt Maxon bridging up to us.
Through lap 1, Rich Pearson faded, then Paul started to go off also. I started trying to make passes on Noah but couldn't get around, I felt like I was racing F1. Noah finally moved around Paul on Lap 3 and began his chase. I also finally got through just after the barriers and now was sitting 3rd and trying to bridge to Noah. Looking over my shoulder I saw Matt had also now passed Paul and was closing on me.
Heading through the start finish to start lap 4 I tried to push and get up to Noah. Legs felt great, I new Matt was almost up to me. Off the pavement and into the tight switchbacks (where the accidents happened on lap 1) I tried to be aggressive thinking a little more speed through this section and I'd be up to Noah. Thought I'd setup perfect for the first turn. I laid off the brakes though a little too much. Halfway through the apex of that turn my wheel slipped...before I new it I hit the deck hard. The kind of hard that takes the wind out of you. Then a double wammy, Matt Maxon who'd had been closing came round the corner and ran into my ribs at a good clip. He stayed upright, but that pretty much ended my day. I remounted, straightened my bar and got going again. But the chase was out of me...My stomach felt like crap from the impact, and I was trying to regain my breath and composure. I second guessed my approach into every turn for the next 2 laps.
Ah well...thats racing. All in all no bike damage. But I tore my side up from my shoulder to my knee...more battle scars.
Good job to everyone who raced. The 3's field while small was pretty competitive...I could hear Lefler calling the shots and it was a fight at the front of the race, wish I could have been in it...but things go wrong you roll with the punchs er accidents.
Anyways, next on the calendar will be Fort Collins USGP in a couple weeks time. Can't wait.
J
1 comment:
You'll be up there next time Jeremy!
If it makes you feel any better I think a large proportion of racers hit the deck at some point on Sunday (myself included).
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