Reports by:

• Chris
• Jorge
• German
• Richard
• Garry

Category: 5
Result: 1st

Snelling was a good race for the 5s. We were lucky to have no flats, knock on wood, and the team was able to pull me to a win. Racing yesterday was Jorge, Ruben, German and me. For the first two laps I decided to use them as warm ups. I arrived at 7:45 for the 8:15 race so there was not time to warm up before. I know Coach matt wanted us in the top 20 early but I was content to let German follow directions. I just chilled in the back and let others work. I did make sure that I would gain some time up the rollers having been dropped from a HOP ride for not paying attention.

On the second lap the bridge was extra narrow (CHP must have given all of their quota for tickets so they decided to make some biikers crash). Like the threes we slip up pretty good and I had to work a bit to get back to the front so I remembered that for the next two laps.

The third lap was a little more active. There was a AV 3 that must have flatted and passed us but I did not notice the number. He was pulling farther ahead so I asked the pack if he was one of us and a Wolfpack guy said he was. Then I noticed that another AV guy was sitting up in the front slowing the pack down. So I went to the front to encourage others to pick up the pace and help catch that guy. But he turned on the wrong street to catch up with his pack and I was pissed. Then a four passed us and he told us that he was a four so the same mistake wouldn't happed but Moron(it is capitalized because he will be named again) jumped on him and started drafting. So me and another guy went up to tell him to stop cheating.

On that lap I made sure I did not get pinched again and made sure I was in the top 20. Then on the bumps I made my move to the top 5. It seemed the easiest place to move up. This put me in the top 5 starting the last lap. This was a good place to keep track of any breaks. I followed a couple attempts but when the leader sat up, Moron (usually) did not know how to paceline.

I was able to just chill in the front 5 and let Ruben lead into the bumps. He pulled up and I was in second for the bumps. The leader pulled of so I did my fair share and then move over for others to lead. There was a surge from Moron with about 1k to go on my left so I told the guy just to my left to jump on Moron and I followed. As we were coming into the final turn an AV guy passed on my left almost on the shoulder. I took that turn wide and followed the AV guy. he was leading and I was second. There seamed to be a gap behind me and the AV guy was slowing so I popped out to the left and powerd up the finish hill.

So my new bike is undefeated. I think I should retire it. As Ziggy said, I was definately Sammy-Save-Up. But this time it worked.

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Category: 5
Result: Mid-pack

Being this would be my first road race, I've done all the early birds and the San Bruno mountain hill climb, I came to this race with the goal to learn, not get dropped and finish with the pack. Being that the race was held in the middle of nowhere and at least two and a half hours away, German and I decided to get a hotel in Merced for the night. We got to Merced around 10:30 due to German's last minute bike repair and packing (sorry German I have to bag on you for this one), got something to eat and went to bed.

Got up at around 5:30, got dressed, checked out and got something to eat. Followed the directions to Snelling but ended up following a couple of racers to the race, thankfully they knew were the race was cause I didn't. Got to the park signed up, suited up and proceeded to the starting line and meet up with the rest of the team.

The first lap was painful, it takes me a little while to warm up and get going and the 4 miles promade to the course wasn't enough for me. I was barely hanging in the back of the pack just doing my best to hang on. Look down at my computer and was pretty shock to see the speeds that we where going. I saw German riding good up front, not bad for a guy that was sick the past two weeks. I was not expecting it to go this fast so early into the race and it didn't help that my bike wasn't shifting right.

Thank god at the start of the second lap the people up front decided to slow the pace down a bit. This gave me time to catch my breath, grab a gel and take a drink. Moved around the pack to the other team mates and asked them how they were doing. Started to enjoy the race, the weather was great and I was starting to get warmed up and up to speed.

Then came the two sections from hell that damn bridge and the rough section, I learned quick that If you're not in a good position for the bridge you would be in a world of hurt. I was riding in the back and saw a near pileup at the entrance of the bridge. I had to play catch up with the rest of the pack and almost got dropped! Thank god the pace on the rough section was slow, it gave me time to recover a little bit. Water bottles were flying all over the place and riders on the side of the road fixing there flats. Took German's advice and got some puncture resistant tires for this race, that probably save me from getting a flat.

Started feeling tired on the third lap, I felt like I wasn't gonna make it with the pack all the way to the finish. Grabbed my power bar and took two more gels and started to feel a little better. Figured I better start riding near the front and not in the back and quickly learned that it was less work riding near the front than back in the pack. That damn bridge was coming up again and I fought for position to stay in the top twenty going into the bridge, what a relief that was, I had to work less to keep up with the pack pass the bridge.

I was happy as hell to see the one lap card, grabbed more gels, drank a little bit more and prepared for a little bit more pain for the run for the finish. By then I saw Chris up front riding strong and German and Ruben talking in Spanish, obviously not wanting the rest of us to know what they had in mind.

Some rider decided he wanted to know what pavement felt like and nearly took me with him. By then all the gels I took earlier started to kick in and I felt my second wind coming. Saw a couple of riders trying to attack with no success, nobody wanted anyone to get away and this was gonna be a sprint finish.

Got by the bridge with no problems, saw a couple of more fruitless attempts of a breakaway, swerved around a water bottle that Ruben bunny hopped to avoid and nearly took out the guy next to me. By then the race started to heat up, lots of jockeying for position for the turn and a run to the finish. Rounded the final turn for the last time in a crappy position, I just gave it my all and passed German before the finish. Chris got a great lead-out from some AV guy and sprinted to the win Cipollini style! Me? I probably finish around the thirty's.

I felt really good after the finish, learned allot, did not get dropped and got to finish with the pack. Plus the team was successful with Chris win. German helped me out allot with advices and keep on reminding me to drink and eat. I'm hooked now!

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Category: 5
Result: Mid-pack

Beautiful day at Snelling, definitely, we couldn’t ask for more since I expected to see a foggy and very cold day.

For the CAT 5 race, Ruben P, Chris C, Jorge R and German V represented the FFBC team. We had a team’s strategy created by our coach Matt M, however, this plan included another rider who didn’t show up to the race, and so we had to accommodate the strategy for the actual riders.

I was assigned the role of captain for this particular race by our coach Matt and was responsible for coordinating other riders to do their job based in their strength and racing experience. I was sick with the flu for about two weeks, so before the race, I was a bit nervous about my role since I was unsure if I was going to be able t o respond to the coach’s demand due to my condition. Decided to take the challenge and went for the race plan.

Days before the race, I was so confident that we had a strong team and therefore, we could be able to make things happen in this race. I happen to know the course very well and advised the team about all possible problems during the race including crashes, flats and tough side winds around each lap. I encouraged each member to get at least a new pair of good tires in order to avoid possible flats and finish the race no matter what. Last year, I saw too many flats and frustrations, so I decided to prepare for the worse and purchased a new pair of tires plus got my bike tune up the night before. Fortunately, everyone in the team got new tires and nobody got a flat during the race.

Talked to the team prior to the race and told Chris that he was going to be the man of the day, so the idea was to keep him fresh for a very serious tough 4th lap in which we were going to be attacking starting from the feed zone and we were going to try to lead him to victory. He was told to remain in the back of the peloton for the first two laps but aware of any possible breaks that could definitely affect our racing plan. By lap three, he should be pushing towards the first 20 riders and joining Ruben and me for support. Jorge, in the other hand, was expected to stay in the pack and gain experience since it was his first road race.

Lap one started, the pace was comfortable and I positioned in between the first 10 riders most of the time. Passed the narrow bridge carefully and continued at a nice rhythm. before the finish line, in which I ended up passing in 3 place. The pack at this point was rolling at a steady pace and nobody decided to attack due to the tough winds. At this point Jorge, Ruben and Chris were still warming up in the back of the pack. In my case, I was just keeping an eye for possible attacks and continued at a comfortable pace.

Lap two started and I grabbed my first gel, backed up a bit in between the first 20 riders and looked around and saw Ruben, who was now a bit closer to me in between the first 20 riders. Told him to remain calm, do nothing and to follow the pack’s momentum near me. Asked him about Chris and Jorge and told me they were both okay in the rear pack. The pace started to increase and suddenly, by the third roller, a rider who was in the first ten, was pushed out of the road by a side wind and crashed, never saw him again, so I took this as a warning and continued racing very carefully to avoid any collision.

At this point, the pack accelerated, passed a few more rollers and I noticed that the narrow bridge became narrower and dangerous. I don’t know what happened, but it looks like the highway patrol was involved. I was surprised about it and decided to go slow in comparison with most of the pack so I lost momentum. At this point, the front of the pack attacks right after the bridge in one of the toughest rollers due to its elevation and most of all, its side winds. The attack got me by surprise!!! I had to work very hard to catch up with the first 20 riders, at that moment my HR went very high and I thought that I was popping, but managed to catch up again and recovered in the descend very quickly.

Ruben and the rest of the team were able to catch up as well. At this point I mentioned to the team that we should be aware of this sector since it could be great for a possible attack or crash. Next, the rough sector came and Chris was already around us, asked him how he was doing and told me that he was just cruising, so I felt good about it since that was the idea!! Told him to start moving up front with Ruben and me for lap 3. Also at this point, I checked with Jorge about his condition and told me that he was having a hard time to keeping up with the pace since he wasn’t totally warm yet. Told him to eat and drink as much as he could and try to be near us as much as possible. Told him that he was doing a great job and that he should stay away from the wind, but near us. Ruben looked recovered from the attack at the narrow bridge as well. In my case, I was feeling great and motivated due to our partial performance.

Lap three started, started my second gel and Chris, Ruben and I, started to move to the front pack, in between the first 15 riders. Jorge remained behind us but not too far. According to our coach, at this point we should start increasing our pace and divide the team on the left and right sides of the front pack, just to be aware of possible attacks, but mostly, to start moving into a more competitive position to prepare for the final lap.

Guess, what? that’s exactly what we did. Chris and I were on the left side and Ruben on the right side, Jorge was getting better and was hanging in there just a few riders behind Ruben. The pace started to increase, talked to Chris and told him to reserve energies for the final lap and to be aware of the narrow bridge again, a break away could happen at that spot. By about half lap, another, crash!!! At this time there was a rider that somehow felt off his bike right in the middle of the road but fortunately, didn’t take nobody with him. At this point Jorge was in front of me and almost hit this guy followed by me. We both were able to skip him and continue the race at a good tempo.

Several attacks came after that, but the pack was decided to not let anybody escape. Chris and I went at front and we both pulled the pack for a few minutes at a good tempo, but we decided to pull back just a bit to let the other teams do some work as well. Ruben was in the first 15 followed by Jorge who was in the middle pack. The narrow bridge came again and another attack came. By this time, we were all aware and resisted the attack. In the rough sector, I approached Jorge and asked how he was doing, and he said that he was doing better. Told him to eat more and he said, I just did!! But then I told him, eat again since you will need it for the last lap!! He ate more gels at that point and continued very closed to us.

Final Lap, I took 3 or 4 fuels as per our coach’s requirement. Another attack came, but Ruben, Chris and I were in great position, first 10 or so, we didn’t freak up since it was just the beginning of lap 4 and knew that it was windy and simply, too hard for a single rider to break away in such conditions with still 11.7 miles to go. After about 2 miles, we absorbed the attacker and never saw him again.

According to our coach, in this lap we had to look for a break away opportunity starting at the feeding zone, so I asked Chris if he wanted it to do it a t that point, and he said, no yet! but told him that the team was going to attack soon in order to start breaking the pack for the final sprint. Half mile before the feeding zone, Chris was in the first 5 already and Ruben and I were behind him, Jorge was in the middle. I told Ruben that I should attack first and then he should help Chris in the last couple miles, Told both Chris and Ruben to be in the first 5 in the narrow bridge since the race could be decided at that point and a possible crash could happen.

A quarter of mile before the feeding zone came and I attacked very hard, got a small gab, the pack followed, but I continued at the same pace, passed first in the feeding zone but got neutralized in the descent. The pack was breaking, but I managed to keep my momentum in the first 10 riders. At this point I saw Chris and Ruben pass me and didn’t see Jorge, but continue recovering for a couple of minutes. Got closed to Ruben and told him that I was going to attack again before the narrow bridge, but after that, he should help Chris in the rough sector (I spoke in Spanish so nobody else could understand our plan).

The narrow bridge was coming and I attacked once more, at this time, I decided to give it all. The pack started to break apart, but fortunately, Chris and Ruben were very well positioned, I passed the narrow bridge in first place, but once more, got neutralized in the wind by roller. My HR was high!! And I told Chris to give the best of him in the final sector with Ruben. At that point I just followed the front pack, in the first 20 riders.

At the rough sector I saw Jorge and he was doing great! Ruben on the other hand, was doing his job right up front pulling the pack followed by Chris in second place. We passed the rough sector, Ruben backed up after doing his job, Chris started to pull away with some other guys, I passed Ruben and Jorge at the end of the rough sector and set myself in the first 15, pushed harder to catch with Chris, but I was really having breathing problems at that point, the final climb came and I popped, I didn’t sprint, so I could see at least 10 riders passing me and right at the end Ruben and Jorge passed as well. I think I finished in the first 30. I pushed too hard in the last lap and paid the price at the very end, but I was very happy to see Mr. Iron Man taking the victory for the team.

Chris victory was definitely our paid back for our hard efforts in this race and of course, for his great performance. The victory also was a consequence of a well-planned race by our coach Matt McNamara of Sterling Sports Group, thanks coach!!

Jorge did great in his first road race and Ruben, certainly was a factor at the end. I am looking forward to the McLane race and hopefully, I will be feeling better.

Congratulations to Chris for giving our team its first victory of 2005!!!

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Category: 3
Result: Mid-pack

Garry, Ziggy and I carpooled from Garry's place to Snelling. We were slightly delayed leaving Dublin, but made reasonably good time, getting to Snelling shortly after 7am. On the approaches to Snelling, we passed through some thick fog - it looked like it may be a cold day, but we also saw the sun at times so we hoped that the fog would burn off.

There was time for a short warm-up before heading to the start to see if things were running on time. They weren't, which was just as well as Ziggy had a bizarre problem when pumping up his tyres - he pulled the locknut off both valves! The delay let him get things sorted out in time.

There was close to a full field in the 3's. We were off first, but I don't know why Bob Leibold persists is sending the 3's and 4's ahead of the Masters 1/2/3 field. The M1/2/3 field caught us on the second lap, but I am getting ahead of myself.

The roll out was, for once, sedate with the moto keeping us in check. Passing through the bustling metropolis that is Snelling, Randy True of AV (a strong rider) flatted. Lots of people heard it, saw who it was and there was a lot of banter expressing pity that he was out.

Onto the course and we were racing. The three of us rode well in the top 25 for the first lap as planned, but sitting in as much as possible. The first time over the weakened bridge on the back side was fine and I used the rises afterwards to get into a good position prior to the bumpy run-in to the finish.

Things didn't go so well on the bumpy section. My new frame doesn't have a pump peg and my pump shook loose - so I had to grab it with one hand. This slowed me. At about the same time Ziggy flatted - it was his rear, so there was no help I could give. Through the finish, I was just off the back of the group getting my pump out of the strap and dropping it at the finish to recover later.

I got back on OK and looked for a lane up to the front to speak to Garry who was looking round for me and Ziggy. I filled him in on the situation and it was on to plan B - hang in there and see how we feel closer to the end.

The second time over the weakened bridge, the passage was far narrower and this caused a huge funnelling effect. The front took the opportunity to force the pace up the following rise and this put some people into difficulty. It was clear that next time through, position onto the bridge would be important - think of the entry into the Forêt d'Arenberg in Paris-Roubaix.

Turning onto the outward leg on lap 3, there was a crash a few riders in front of me. I skidded the rear tyre in my rapid deceleration and was able to steer round the 3 fallers - Garry also had to avoid the crash, but wasn't as delayed as I was. A heavy dig was required to get back onto the string - at this point, there were several riders pushing the pace at the front and this was the only time where we were really strung out with the whole field single file.

The pressure came off again near the top of the course, but on the approach to the farm and the narrowed bridge, people started to move up to get to the front for the bridge. On the right side, there was a string moving up, and I think a rider tried to jump into (into, not onto!) and there was contact and the two riders went onto the verge where one crashed and the second rode into him, launching him over the bars and his bicycle came with him before it unclipped. The rider rolled and got to his feet as part of the roll in time to see his bike landing in front of him. It was both spectacular and slightly scary.

Over the bridge, up the rise, through the bumps, past the finish and it was time to see where Garry was. I drifted towards the back looking for Garry, only to not see him. Am I sure? Yes, he is clearly not there and I am the only one left. Round the top of the course and I find myself at the back of the group on the approach to the bridge. I make the decision to stay at the back, rather than risk the dangers of moving up after what happened last time.

That was a mistake - the bunch was strung out and there were riders ahead of me having problems up the rise and opening gaps. I went past a lot of guys who were going out the back. Lesson learned - on the final lap I will be up near the front onto the bridge.

Onto the final lap. There were a couple of attempts to form breakaways towards and through the feed zone. They came back and I was near enough to the front to watch what was happening. At one point, I followed some wheels and at the McLane finish, was the last rider in a group of about 10 which had a small gap. But the bunch wasn't letting us go.

There was some tempo riding preparing for the finish effort. I made sure I was near the front in preparation. Shortly before the right turn to head towards the farm, there was yet another crash, this time right in front of me. I was almost stopped, and suddenly, I was at the back of the (much depleted) group. Wonderful.

I made the efforts required and got myself in around 15th place onto the bridge. I felt the rise and slipped backwards a little into mid pack. Onto the bumps and I was hanging in there ok, but not in a great position. There was very little opportunity to move up on this stretch, both due to my legs and due to my position.

Round the turn onto the finish and things opened up a lot. The legs worked too and I made up a good number of places to finish in 20-25 position. So, I was slightly disappointed with my position on the bumps as I had more in the legs than most in the sprint. However, it was the rise prior to the bumps which had set up the poor position and the legs were not so good at that point.

It was nice to finish Snelling without getting a flat - the first time in 3 attempts. It was also nice to finish solidly in the 3's. Our average speed for the 63 miles was 22.9 mph.

I turned back to the finish to recover my pump, looking for Garry and Ziggy and not finding them and rolled back to the HQ with Nate Shaw during which time we dissected the race, the crashes and our respective new bikes.

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Category: 3
Result: Off the back

All started well, some good sleep in the day's before, clean and tuned bike, new uniform and there in plenty of time.

We had a plan that we were all confident in and the chilly morning would soon give way to excellent racing conditions.

The roll out was delayed as usual at Velo Promo events and the neutralized promenade was a shiver fest. Once on to the circuit we upped the pace and the FFBC moved into the top 20 out of 85 starters. The scheme was to protect Ziggy, do nothing for the first two laps and then to cover only useful looking breaks. I was also to drive through the feed zone and make sure the tempo stayed high to prevent breaks getting away or too far up the road.

We were solid for the first lap and then the plan went down the toilet when Ziggy flatted. Plan B was made up on the road, RB and I to stay at the front and then either get in the break or sprint at the end.

We were at the front during the 2nd lap, but into the third lap my concentration failed me and I was at the back descending down to the narrowed bridge. I knew I was in trouble, I was going thru the width restriction on the bridge and looking up 70 riders in front of me were driving hard up the hill. I chased and got back on, relieved but deep in a hole, but the pack kept hammering in single file over the next roller and the next. I was in difficulty, lack of race fitness taking it's toll. Swinging onto the bumpy section I was 200 yards off the back and stayed that way for the next two miles when the pack crept away.

I kept rolling, picking up a few dropped riders and rode tempo to finish the race distance. My nemesis struck again, I had the legs, but not the head for the race. Will someone whack me with a 2x4, please.

Doldrums before MacLane, but it was the same last year and I did o.k. in my 2nd RR, so let's hope I repeat 04's season.

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