Enjoyed reading the rest of the reports on what happened behind after the big attack was launched. Here’s my take.
With the wind blowing I knew it was going to split so I planned on being very attentive particularly on the cross and down wind sections. After starting in the back seemed like the pack was splitting already just 300 meters into the race so I quickly moved toward the front.
Nelson launched a couple of attacks right away into the wind but they were quickly covered. Then on the crosswind hwy section Jason Snovel and I were taking turns protecting each other at the front of the group waiting for the inevitable attack which did finally happen on the last hwy hill. Tom Vanderheiden from Wells Fargo attacked hard on that last climb and I jumped on that wheel with Jason S. on mine and one Rio Strada rider. Jason Boynton, who won the Crit Saturday bridged up with 2-3 other riders (one more Rio guy included) right after the sharp right hander off the hwy. We were all sharring the work nicely Snovel looked strong at that time. After the first KOM which Boynton outkicked Tom on, I rolled across right in front of Steve Offerman Rio Strata for 3rd. We looked back and it was only the 4 of us and we began sharing pulls nicely. I new Jason B. was very strong, he is from Yuba City also and rides with Nelson and I, the other 2 also seemed very strong so I was pretty sure at that time the break would stick. Had no idea what was happening behind but it sounds like the team did a great job of keeping the pace down in the group. Looked back a couple of times but could only see one group of 3 a long ways back the start of lap 3. We continued sharing short pulls equally all the way to the last corner. This turned out to be a very cooperative group which helped us to stay away for 25 miles. In the end game, Tom went from the corner, with Jason B. on his wheel and I on Jason. Steve had nothing left. Jason went around Tom 75 from the line and I was coming around Jason but ran out of road with the tail wind and finished half a wheel behind Jason for second. Kinda strange sprinting against the same guy you sprint against almost every Tue and Thurs on the Yuba City group rides
Nice work by Jason Boynton winning KOM 2 of the three trips to take the KOM title from Tom. Mr. Boynton is a beast. He will be a favorite in any race he enters. Hills. Mountains, Pack sprints, TT’s he can do it all. Jason S. that is the wheel you want to follow.
By the way J. S. I am 48 riding age 49. Must be something in the water here in Yuba City. Maybe just all the rides chasing after Taylor are paying off
See you at Copperopolis, although I won’t be racing. I will be watching my son face off with the Pro’s, which could include Levi. Wouldn’t want to miss that! Bring a couple extra flashlights and plenty of batteries.
My next race will be Sea Otter Circuit Race 45+ 5’s That will be my tenth race and I plan on upgrading after that. Look forward to racing with the 4’s after that.
See you at the Races, Jim Kuphaldt
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