This past weekend was the 3rd running of the Rocky Mountain Omnium, a 3 day race in and around Glenwood Springs. Day 1 was a time trial on the same course as last year, day 2 was a crit on a new course (too bad that old crit course was awesome), and day 3 was the traditional road race that is one of the best in the state. Unfortunately it was a difficult weekend, with massive traffic back ups from construction, snow on the mountain passes getting to the race, epic rain for the crit, and so much flooding.spring run off the road course had to be heavily shorten to something that did not even resemble the original. In the 35 Plus the Matt's race and combined to win 1 stage, had 2 second places, and went 1 & 2 in the overall. In the 45 plus race the guys focused more on the road race and both Jimi and Henrik were in the top 5.
Jimi's race report: three 45+ers went to race at Glenwood, with Henrik, peter and I towing the line. Unfortunately after learning that all the real hills would be taken out of the road race course i wasn't too thrilled, as it became a 3 lap circuit race with some rollers and some headwinds. It was not a bad course, but very tough to get away, and if someone did they had to fight the winds, which seemed to negate almost everything. In the end the sprint was up for grabs for 10-12 guys, but the yellow line rule was in effect, and made for some hairy handling as a few bars were bumped. Henrik and I managed to sneak through the middle for 5th and 4th, with Peter spending most of his last bits of energy on the last climb before the finish. There were some good sprinters and strong riders, so I was happy with our placing.
Matt S's race report on the 35 Plus race: great weekend of racing for mix1 and the two Matts at the Rocky Mountain Omnium this weekend. The RMO is a three day, three stage race in and around Carbondale, CO. The race this year featured new criterium and road race courses. The racing began Friday night with a 20km individual time trial aptly named the Leg Breaker TT due to the course's rolling terrain. The start times were moved back an hour as the race officials were delayed due to construction in the Glenwood Canyon. The weather threatened thunderstorms but cleared in time for the start of the racing. This issue had little affect on the two Matts races. Racers were set off in 20 second intervals and the two Matts quickly reeled in the riders in front for podium finishes with Matt S.in 2nd and Matt G. taking 3rd.
Saturday's criterium began in the mid afternoon under heavy rain,temperatures in the 40s, and ponding water the course. As the two Matts started the race in 2nd and 3rd, it was up to them to attack the overall leader (and the winner of the TT) Todd Robertson of the Skins Cycling Team. The two Matts wasted no time in making the race fast and aggressive right from start, despite the rain and temperatures.The attacks on the field and race leader came quickly with Matt G.getting the perfect jump and gapping the field. Matt S. then took to the front of the race to control the fields tempo and to protect Matt G's lead. As Matt G. was alone off the front, he had the course to himself and was able to quickly build up a commanding lead. Matt S.stayed with the field marking the overall race leader as well as the constant attacks from the other racers not wanting to settle for racing for 2nd place. Their attempts were futile and the race finished with Matt G. taking the WIN and Matt S. finishing 6th. MattG.'s victory was the second for the mix1 35+ squad this season!!After the stage 2 criterium, Matt G. moved into 2nd place overall with Matt S. falling back to 4th.
Due to the weather the previous day, Sunday's road race course was changed. The previous course favored the climbers (and thus favored the two Matts) but the new course was shorter with no significant climbing. Fortunately the race started under clear skies with only brief rain showers during the race, so weather was not a factor. The two Matts had their hands full in trying to control race to move each of them up the podium for the overall placings and to try for more stage podium finishes. The race as not aggressive for the first third with only minor attacks from competitors and the overall race leader.Things really heated up in the middle part of the race with attacks happening on every hill of this rolling course along the Colorado River. The attacks were coming from everyone, including the overall race leader, the two Matts trying to dislodge the overall leader, and the field looking for glory on the last stage. One rider was allowed to go free and the race leaders were far more concerned with each other. Nothing would stick until a fierce attack on the hardest hill of the course that allowed three riders to get away including mix1's Matt S. This group of three quickly gained time on the field and caught the lone rider off the front to make a group of five. On the final stretch of the race to the finish one more rider was able to go free of the peloton and bridge up to the leading group on the road.As the leading group approached the finish, riders were positioning themselves for the sprint. A few racers allowed their nerves to get to them, beginning their sprints too early. With a cross head wind to the finish line, they were quickly shut down. Matt S. was able staying the draft longer and finished in 2nd place. Matt G. came in with the peloton and sprinted very well to finish in 7th place. The overall race leader did not fair well and finished at the back of the peloton.
After the racing dust settled, mix1 had great results at the RMO with Matt S. claiming the overall race win and Matt G. finishing in 2nd overall!! Add to this the podium finishes in each of the stages!!
No comments:
Post a Comment