The past few weekends the Green team has been doing some series racing and has position themselves in the top 3 in the Florida Point Team Series. The team has traveled to Tallahassee for a 3 days stage race, we also made the short trip to San Antonio for a brutal race, then it was the ORC race weekend and finally the Chain of Lakes stage race.
We have had some pretty bad crashes that have left a few teammates on the side lines. Ronald Stenger one of our strong Cat 3 riders had a nasty crash at 40 mph breaking his collar bone in 3 places. He got lucky and no surgery and Ron has plans to get back on the bike soon. Guy is a warrior. Terry went down on a training ride and broke several bones. Get well bud. Mike Frazier was in a crash that left his Giant broken in 4 places. One week later he was on a new one winning the Chain of Lakes stage race. Sandy was part of a big pile up and received a grade II concussion. After a few weeks of rest she returned to take 2nd place. Awesome work and shows what the Green team is made of.
Pat Sheridan, a World Champion BMXer, took a very impressive 2nd place finish during the ORC Crit last weekend. After this race Pat moved up to race with the Cat 4s and did a awesome job during the Chain of Lakes.
This is an awesome race report completed by Henry Pavlik I left it as is for all to read. The report is from the Chain of Lakes stage race in Winter Haven. The Green team did an awesome job all around.
Anyway, after being in the back half for the first 2 laps, there was an opening about 1 mile into the final lap due to the wind from left and I went all the way into my red zone (195bpm) and got to the front, where Pat let me into the pack in front of him(about 5th wheel). I felt good, helped Pat chase down a couple of breaks by the Powerhouse guys and the White/blue team. About 3 miles from the finish after we chased down the final break, I felt good and in a good position, when the ref announced that the full road will be available not at 400m to go but 1k to go. That was disappointing as I worked hard to be towards the front for the sprint, only to be told that it would have been better to just stay back. Is this something that happens frequently in these races or just is it a mater of luck? So we ended up with Pat at the front of the pack in 2nd and 3rd wheel, when about 1 mile out, the ref blows his whistle and the whole peloton went all the way across the road. From what I saw, I was being passed by people on all sides, not much organization from anyone was to be seen. Martin went incredibly hard, wish I was able to know that, I would have tried to give him a lead out(just missed the podium by a fraction of a second). Not sure how to properly communicate during the race. Mike went hard as well and got a great place, again, he has shown that he is a strong rider in the 5s and deserved the support, I just did not know and could not help in the last 1/2 mile. I think I just need you guys to talk to me more during the race (Pat is great at calling things out!!!) and if you feel strong, let me know. With the yellow line rule, I thought I was doing the right thing by staying a little wider than I needed to, so that other teams caught at the back had no space to pass to the front in the last few miles.
In the end, we ended up with 3 guys in the top 10 in the Cat 5 category (4, 8 and 10)
Other guys who rode include Marcel, Darin, Jonathon, our new guy Sean McCole(placing 8th)
In the time trial, it’s just a matter of going all out for the full distance.
Jonathon did a good ride, placing 7th in the 4s on his machine.
In the crit on Sunday, we all were placed well for the start. Mike and Pat were again in the front few places for the first part of the race, Mike was just a beast and kept up there the whole race and deservedly took the first place. I rode in the middle of the pack, again close to my red zone (I averaged 175 bpm for the 45 minutes, that was the most intense workout I have ever had in my whole life). This one was actually much better for the team, as we seemed to communicate well, especially around those tight corners(calling out inside/outside) and not closing off the turns for the team mates. Scott hit some bad luck with a broken shifter cable about half way in the race. I have to say that Bruno again was the team man, he helped me out so much in the last 6 laps, holding a clear corner for my line and sheltering me from the wind all the way to the last lap He and I communicated during the ride, calling things out, it was awesome. Congrats to Mike Frazier on a great weekend of riding and the top podium spot in the crit and overall. I think it is time for Mike and me upgrade to the 4s.
David rode hard in the Juniors 15-18, got a 4th place in the overall in his 15-16 cat, was beaten only by the guys that are putting the hammer down to all the adults riders in Cat 3s, so not too shabby for the youngest junior in the 15-16 category and someone riding a bit over 6 months. In the road race, the plan was for him to try ride on the wheels of the 17-18 year olds and he tried to go with them on the break, but got dropped after a couple of miles. Then got caught out on the sharp corner and lost touch with the 15-16 cat 3 guys as well, but finished ahead of the others. In the crit, he needs to practice those corners and the short sprints, but we will work on those and he will get the podium results soon.
Anna Lucia had a great first weekend of racing. Placed in the middle of the pack in her category on her first time out, road hard in the road race, did one and a half time trials and did a good ride in the crit as well for her first outing. Now we just need to get Martin to get her some clip on pedals so that she can transfer her power into those pedals, she will be even stronger!
In the women’s races, Sandy, in her comeback from the nasty crash a couple of weeks ago did a great crit, placing second in her category (is she ever not on the Podium?). In the road race, she was not comfortable after her crash and decided to do the right thing and stop after the first lap.
In the cat 3s, due to scheduling and injuries, we had a light representation with only Craig and Pete holding up the team colors in the toughest category for a cat 3 rider, that being Pro123 road race. The time trial was headed up by captain Roy and he nailed it with a 2nd place finish in 3s. I wish I had a camera to take a picture of his face on that final climb with about a 100 yards to go. That was a scary expression! The crit was light as well, with Roy finishing with the pack in the 35+ and in the cat 3s, it looked like Craig was caught behind a crash and lost contact with the group, while John M. was hammering in the pack. Roy had a tough time, that happens to all racers.
It was nice to the families at the race on Sunday, the Crits are really great for viewing the sport, if you want to have some friend/family see you totally focused and suffering, get them to come out and watch it in one of these cute Florida town centers. The atmosphere is awesome.
A big shout out to Roy for organizing the fund raising for the Humane Society, it was a huge success – thanks captain and everyone that contributed!!!
Now go out and ride!
Next up is the Squiggy Time Trial weekend.
