This past Saturday was the Hugo RR, a spring classic. It is located in Hugo, CO, where I doubt anyone reading this who is not a bike racer has ever been. The race is one big loop, about 80 miles long, and every group from newbie, to pro, all does one 80 mile lap. This year the boys were in for a treat and the wind was blowing at constantly 30 MPH all day long, with gusts over 50. The wind was blowing"up" the course, so the way out was hard, the cross winds were brutal, and the last 20 miles were all "hero" tail wind (where everyone feel like a hero). It was a banner day for the boys at Jeff won the 45 Plus race and Matt G. took 2nd in the 35 Plus race.
Here are race reports from Pete L. and Jeff O.
Pete L: once we had two teammates in the break of the day (Jim T. made the initial move and Matt G. bridged up with a Vic's riders who insisted on getting to the break), it was a matter of waiting and watching the other heavy hitters and being prepared to battle it out in the crosswind section. Sure enough, once we headed west with a full on crosswind, the second selection was made. In it were three Rios, one Excel (Bob D), one Skins (Todd R), two Mix1s (Segur and Pete L.). Todd was the first to pop. Pete couldn't find that extra gear and was the second to pop. That left five of which Matt had a free ride as he was protecting his two teammates in the break up the road.
Back at the front of the race the break had blow apart from 8 guys down to 4, but both Mix1 riders made it. Jim lost the wheels in viscous cross wind, and the other 3 riders in the break staid together until the line. One Rio rider caught and passed the break to take the solo win (Byron Nix), which was almost unfair as these guys had been away for nearly 70 miles. Not one to worry about fair, Matt G. manhandled the sprint and took out a great 2nd place. Matt S. broke free from the second chase pack and soloed in for 5th place.
Behind the leading group Pete got detached from the 2nd chase pack, but he settled in to his own pace driving forward when a group of six came up to him which included a teammate, Marcel. After leaving the crosswind section, this group headed north. After several miles of being together, Pete set off on his own with the help of the strong tailwind. He was joined by one other racer from Green Mountain just before turning east back into the crosswind. They worked together the entire way maintaining a gap to the group behind. After leaving this final crosswind section it would be a final 15 miles of 30+ mph tailwind to the finish. However, making this final turn, Pete found himself alone as the GM rider was blown. What to do? With head down and shifting into his 11 sprocket, Pete did a 15 mile time trial speeding along at 38 mph to hold off the riders behind and finishing 9th. Happily, as Marcel was protecting his teammate Pete, Marcel was able to conserve and finish in 11th place. Jim T. hung tough after a long, long day in the saddle and scored solid 15th place after going Jens Voigt in the break and manning up.
Jeff's 45 Plus race report: today the 45+ers snagged the team’s first road race win of the season as Jeff O. beat Michael Williams in a two up sprint after a laborious three hours and forty-five minutes of racing. Jeff and Michael managed to slip the field in the town of Karval's crosswinds (circa mile 35-40) leaving last week’s Deer Trail winner and former state crit champion Derrick Nichol behind. Once free, their gap continued to grow throughout the race. With that knowledge, Jeff settled into a rhythm that would keep the break free, but leave him something for the finale while Michael drove the two man break incessantly like the time trialing machine that he is. With about 20 miles to go, the tables turned as Michael started to feel the effects of his extra efforts and Jeff put in the longer pulls. With 2K to go, the duo agreed to a two up drag races print with Jeff taking the honors.
Meanwhile, back in the chase….Kevin hung the longest before falling off the pace. Although Matt V couldn’t stick with the chase group, a strong steady ride netted him the team’s next best placing at 9th. I think our 3rd rider across the line took 16th but I can’t remember who it was. Another good day at the races. The team rode strong and Mix 1 had a good presence at the front of the bike race whenever it mattered, with different riders alternating marking the moves. Although everyone was present and strong at the front (Peter, Kevin, Matt, and Henrik), Bill S deserves another tip of the hat. On several occasions when I was unable to get out of the crosswinds while marking the front, Bill recognized my dilemma and would move forward and sit on the windward side of me. Small things that go a long way. I am looking forward to those first few miles of the Mike Horgan and Mt Evans HC’s when I can return the favors by keeping our climbers in position to do their thing.
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