One month too late

So what happen during the last two stages at Gila, you ask? Here it is, one month later:

Stage 4 crit:
One of my better crits. A small break went on the first prize prim (spelling?) lap. Being too far back, it took me about 2 laps to get into position to attack. I finally went, and no one went with me, so I was solo for two laps. At my closest, I came within about 100 feet from catching the group. The break picked up the pace and eventually put themselves out of reach of me, so I went back to the main field. I rode smart at the front of the field for the rest of the race, and was in great position going into the final corner of the race. Never having been a great sprinter, I got passed by a bunch of guys on the long finishing straight. However, I had my best result in 3 years in the Gila crit, and finished in 22nd place.

Stage 5 Gila Monster road race:
For many months, I had been pretty intimidated thinking about this stage. It was going to be my longest race ever at 102.5 miles, and my initiation to the world of Category 2 racing. Turns out that it wasn't too bad, and I ended up having quite a bit of energy for the final big climb. The race was pretty uneventful until that last climb, where the field blew apart. I didn't quite have enough to make the small front group or the small chase group, but I was able to drop all but two guys in the group that I was in, catch and pass a few guys, and catch my teammate Eric. Eric and I worked together until the finish and placed 21st and 22nd (me) on the stage.

The overall:
I came into this race with a goal of a top 20 overall finish. I ended up 21st, but was tied for overall time with 20th, only losing out due to him having some better numerical stage placings. Close enough for me.



Left: Staying competitive during the TT without a full-on TT bike.
Below: Not feeling too bad after 102.5 miles in stage 5.