The Subaru EROCK Crit is a new race on the calendar this year. The name is short for the Elephant Rock event, with is a large recreational ride that has been going on for years. This year they added a crit and it got very good reviews. It was a fun course, in downtown Castle Rock, with a nice prize list.
It was a BAR/BAT race for the 45 plus guys, so it was extra important for them. They are the two time defending best overall team in Colorado, but this year they have found themselves in second place for most of the season behind Great Divide. It has been a hard year as the team's best rider Jimi Gibson has been out all of year with an injury, the team's TT World Champ Gene Palumbo was been out with an injury, and the team tactical leader on the road, Jeff Oksanko, has been out sick for too long.
EROCK was a great race for the guys and despite the aggressive nature, it came down to a sprint. There is a photo of the finish and first to third was separated by about a foot on the line. Rod Yoder from Vittiam Cottage got the photo finish, with our own Peter Ismert taking 3rd by a few inches. Chris came in 6th and Henrik in 7th, giving the guys 3 in the top 7th. With strong overall results the prior weekend the guys also took back over 1st place in the Best All Around Team Competition.
The 35 plus race was smaller, but Dan, Josh, LT, and Matt lined up. It too was an aggressive race, but nothing got away. As the laps wound down the guys set about getting ready to lead Dan out, who had won two crits in a row. Then disaster struck as Dan flatted inside the last 5 laps and could not get a free lap. So the guys went to plan B to lead out Josh, but thing just did not work out, with Josh and Matt making the top 10, but too far back. The poor result motivated Josh and within 24 hours he had the fire back in belly (see City Park race report).
Who said sprinter just sit in? Dan trying to break up the 35 plus race. Photo from www.mountainmoonphotography.com
Same thing with climbers? Who said they do not do crits? Matt Segur driving the front of the 35 plus race and he finished in the top 10. Photo from www.mountainmoonphotography.com
Finish of the 45 plus race, you can see just how close it was. Photo from www.mountainmoonphotography.com
Peter keeping the pack strung out in the 45 plus race on his way to 3rd place. Photo from www.mountainmoonphotography.com
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