It’s all about the team: 2012 State Championship road race 55+

After the unfortunate fires early in the race season took many homes and torched large parts of our state the original Masters State Championship race was cancelled.  It was due to be held in Rist Canyon north of Ft Collins and this was the scene of some of the worst damage and loss of homes in Colorado.  Our heart went out to all those affected.

The ACA found support from two master’s teams to take on the challenge of running a championship race and a venue out in the eastern plains near Keenesburg was selected to contest the championship.  Flat as could possibly be for its 23 mile loop (less than 100ft gain or loss in all those miles) except the finish straight which was all downhill for the last 1K, we road two laps for 46miles. Flat farm lands with no wind, no hills, little except our own power and tactics to make a distinction before the final sprint. Over forty racers began with us at 9:45AM and it seemed almost all of them were in the sprint at the end, but first a few tales to get us to the finish.

Right out of the gate one rider flatted, but the peloton was already going full gas. By the end of the race we averaged close to 26mph for all 46 miles so when I say full gas I mean we were flying at the start.  There were some big teams well represented; Boulder Orthopedics (BO), RealD-Amgen, Natural Grocers, we as Mix1 and most everyone in the race all were speaking of how it would be a field sprint at the end. However Mix1 had several cards to play.  With Butch, one of the fastest men on the track and in sprints, as our ace in the hole, Bill and I (Steve M) were strong enough to get into a break and stay away and Steve B was ready to cover any breaks from other teams.  If it was to be a field sprint we just had to lead out Butch and let him go. 

From the gun Bill went on the offensive and strung out the field. Myself and some others from various teams added to the mix of attacks in the first lap.  Finally on the western straight of road I made a clean break on my own for a few minutes.  Just when I thought I might have to sit up I was joined by Geoff Cooper, a strong time trial rider and two others.  We continued to gain time on the peloton while three of us did most of the work.  A rider from BO was mostly sitting in but their strategy was to finish as a field sprint so we could not convince him to help.  Gradually we lost our 3^rd but Geoff and I continued to push for another few miles. As with so many breaks it became obvious we two could not hold off 35 others and so sat up a mile or two before the turn to the finishing straight.

On the second lap as we headed east a lone rider made a break.  While some others in the peloton spoke about the need to bring him back, but did nothing to chase, I just felt sorry for him as I knew how much energy he was using and that eventually we would catch him.

Half way through the second lap there was an attack that had a few strong men up the road. Steve B did an incredible job of bringing them back and with me on his wheel, brought me up to the break. There were a few minor efforts to attack after this but nothing that had any legs to it.  Eventually the attacks ended and at the end of the western straightaway we began to fight for the front of the bunch.  Heading into the final turn for the finishing two mile straight BO was in the lead attempting to put their sprinter Steve Worley, a National and World Track champion, in place for the sprint. 

Behind me in the group were the rest of our Mix1 team and our strategy was very clear, we needed to get Butch in good position and give him as much of a lead out as we could. Unknown to me Bill had skipped his wheel twice going through the turn but managed to hang on; this however had taken him out of position to help with Butch.  BO was slowing and the peloton was now bunching up, not good for a safe sprint nor our cause.  I hit the gas hard and rocketed to the front up the final hill before the 1k downhill to the finish line.  This caused a reaction in the field and pretty soon BO was driving hard next to me.  Looking right I could see Butch was now sitting 3^rd right behind Worley.  This was good as my legs were cramping, too much time in the break to be able to sprint now.

It was a mad dash for the line by 30+ racers all over the road. I stayed near the front long enough to see Butch come off Worley’s wheel and sprint but could not tell the result.  Butch won!  Bill came roaring past me just before the line for 3^rd, Steve B was right after Bill and took 8^th.  As I drifted back I managed to cross the line 13^th and our day was over.

A great team effort as our plans were played out to perfection! Mix1 had a taken the road race State Championship.

Steve Worley 2nd, Butch Stinton 1st, Bill Kellagher 3rd