Iowa City Race Weekend

Last weekend Ben, Chris, and I headed out to Iowa City to get in two days of racing with a Road Race on Saturday and the Old Capitol Criterium on Sunday. It provided a good opportunity to take an early season road trip and learn to race with new teammates. With high winds and storms forecast for both days of racing, we didn't quite know what to expect from the weekend.

The road race was held on nice farm roads with a few nice sized rollers. Nothing large enough to prove decisive, but making for a fun course. Despite the dire forecasts of wind and strong storms all we got was cloudy and calm. The lack of wind made it difficult for any break to get away from the field as the race proved to be quite fast. After riding near the front for most of the race and attempting many breaks the three of us were set up well, all riding in the top 10 with about a mile to go to the finish. When the sprint started to open up we found ourselves swarmed by riders coming up over the yellow line and coming back into the field. Ben and I both drifted to the back and Chris was able to hold onto a top 10 finish. Disappointed that we were not able to put someone higher in the results, we were able to come up with some strategies that will hopefully pay of for racing later in the season.

The Old Capitol Criterium in downtown Iowa City is one of the best courses that I have ridden. It starts with a screaming fast downhill into a 90 degree corner followed by a long straight before a steep climb. The course finishes with 4 tight corners through downtown city streets. With the finish so close after the last corner the race comes down to final positioning. To avoid bunching at the end, if there was no breakaway our plan was to all be in the top 10 (hopefully top 5) over the last climb and push the pace all the way to the finish. After the first prime, one racer escaped from the field and despite a few later attacks no one else was able to get away or chase him down. With about 5-6 laps to go the race started to get twitchy with everyone starting to pay more attention to their position in the field. Up the hill the last time I was able to come over in third position just as a rider ahead of me was attacking off the front. I bridged to his wheel and he pulled hard all the way into the final turn, leaving me in perfect position to contend for the sprint. I ended up taking the field sprint for second by a hair at the line with Ben coming in right behind in third (fourth place overall). A satisfying end to the weekend knowing that some planning and team positioning payed off at the end of the race.

Hopefully there will be photos to come if I can find any of the finish!