Taming the chasers...
When the gap was beginning to take shape I foolishly found myself trying to bridge alone. I looked up and saw we had 3 of our guys in the lead group, (Jim, Nelson and Jason) then looked back at the pack and sat up and waited. After catching my breath and finding a safe place to hide, we rode along at a fairly quick pace but never really gaining ground on the break. Alan's words quickly came to mind "Don't chase your teammates". We still had a strong contingent at the front of the pack with Bob, Darin, Dan, Joaquin, Tom and myself. We all muttered to each to let the others work and if we were in front to just sit up.
A couple of other teams that did have representation in the lead group decided to move to the front and pull. We obliged them and sat on for the ride. I kind of grinned each time they asked for someone to pull through and nothing happened. They looked back in disbelief and continued to pull. This continued for an entire lap.
I never paid attention to what was happening behind us but Dan rolled up and said the peloton had been destroyed and there were only about 10 of us left in the chase group at this point. He thought it best if we all work together and try to pick off some of the lead group fallout. We did. Alan's word still remained in my head the entire time and felt a duty to make sure I expressed them to our teammates.
Bob rolls up and suggests we attack the group to get rid of a couple guys. He launches solo and we never catch him. He went alone for the entire last lap (What an animal!) It was fun rolling to the front at one point to block those wanting to real him in!
Things really ramped up for the last 4-5 miles. It was pretty furious pace up to the beginning of the KOM marker. Several attacks to place. Some legal, some not. The finish came quick (man I'm glad it was a downhill finish!) and we rolled through somewhat together.
My result was posted as 20th but I should have been listed as 21st. They got it wrong and posted Nelson behind me.
All in all, I gained some valuable experience and felt like I bonded with some teammates in the trenches. What a great day!
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