MO State Road Race Championship

It's June, that means it's time for the MO State Road Race!  This race and last weekends Hellbender are a good tests to see how training is coming along as cross quickly approaches.

Beofre the race Dawndi and I had a great time in the shops down south, even picked up a new bike.

When we arrived on race day  I was lucky enough to be part of a documentary http://www.wsiu.org/ was doing about the race. They were all over the place with cameras before, during and after the race. Before we started I did an interview, should be fun to see how they edit and put this together.

The 40-44 jersesy was once again up for grabs as well as the KOM. Last year I won the KOM, 5th overall 40+ and 3rd for the 40-44 state title.  This year it was  hard to tell what was going to happen. Local Hermannite Jose has been climbing great out here in the hills of Hermann, I had a hutch he would take the KOM, and racing with the guys last weekend there were plenty of them in good shape.

Off we go for 67 miles of warm windy conditions. 20 starters

Start line

Last weekend I was up-set with my self for not being more aggresive when four riders slipped off the front, today that was not going to happen. After the head wind section there were a few attempts to break loose, the one I remember the most was Chris Hudson who spent a good portion of lap one off the front then the team of Gateway tried to counter. I did my best to close the gaps without burning to much energy. In the end things were almost back together as we approached the KOM in lap 1. Trent Donat, Tracy Smith and I think Andy Hunsaker were off the front a bit at the base. Jose and I set a good pace up the hill passing Tracy and Andy trying to bring back Trent before the top. No dice, Trent had  a large enough gape coupled with  good climbing legs, he crested the top 1st, Jose 2nd with me in 3rd.

After the KOM hill we were down to 11 guys. Things stayed conservative as we approached the feed zone, everyone was nice, no attacks. In lap two Tracy told me his story about about how he broke away last year for now the 10th time then proceeded to try a few attempts at doing it again, no dice. I matched him each time, no way was that going to happen again :). Plus I don't think I could hear him tell that story again for an entire year. :) (just messing with you Tracy)

Jose and I started to do the math for the KOM. Trent had 3 points, Jose 2 and I had 1. For Jose to win we needed him to take first for 3 more points, total of 5 and I had to make sure I beat Trent giving him 1 point. That would give Jose the KOM win and I would get 3rd. If we did that Jose and I made a deal to split 1st and 3rd prize money. It was set, now we just had to make it happen.

With the KOM approaching for the final time  Trent, Jose and I were at the front waiting for the fire works to starts. Trent took the lead pacing up the hill. Things are going well as we hit 300m to go, but then Jose  yells out to me he is cramping, Trent and I go off alone. I surge going by Trent only to have him match it and pass me for the win.  Trent took 1st in the overall KOM with 6 points, me 2nd with 4 points and Jose despite his cramps and zero points in lap two had enough points in lap 1 with 2 points to take 3rd. That was a good battle and tons of fun.

With that fun over it was time to see who was left at the top for the trip home back to town for the finish sprint.

And the were....
Rob Landes 46 (IL)
Andy Hunsaker 46
Alan Christanell 44
Trent Donat 44
Jeff Yielding 42
Jose Burgarin 45
William Gillanders 47
Rober Brokaw 48 (IL)

State championships are earned in 5 year age brackets, 40-44 and 45-49, MO residents only. Quick scan of the filed from those left for the 40-44 State Champions were Alan, Trent and I.  Most of the group was 45-49 so they took over the pace with two miles to go. We made it through the tricky left hander that caused a wreck last year then off to the finish line.

I did my best to hang in there but ran out of gears for that tailwind finish, only down side to racing my single chain ring cross bike, Allen pimped Trent at the line for the state championship, Rob with his monster sprinting took the overall win and Andy brought home the 45-49 State title. I was happy to reach the 40-44 podium and 5th overall.



40-44 Podium


Full list of results

Now in my 2nd year raceing 40+ it's been great racing with this group of guys. I respect their abilities and their respect for proper gamesmanship.

90 days til cross starts (that's only three months!)