Today's players consist of Eric, Chip, Jon, and myself(Steve). It's a beautiful Saturday afternoon in Milwaukee, and we know today's course is well suited for our racing style. Aggression, Aggression, Aggression!!! With a nice little hill just before the finish, going up 60 times, we figure to make a break stick or simply shred the field. As it turned out, it was a nice day for a break.
Roughly half way through the race Chip and I slowly roll off the front, the field seemed to be giving us a rather long leash, so we decided to take advantage. After a sharp effort, we had a nice gap super fast. A couple others bridged up and then the field really started chasing. After a few laps, things started to come back together, but I wasn't ready to give up. I held a decent tempo just off the front, and pretty much like I expected, the counters began. After a few other attempts, eventually a group of 9 formed with most of the teams being represented. This was the group that would stick and actually wound up lapping the field.
Lapping the field is an interesting thing. The simplicity of a break becomes rather complex or confusing the instant you reintegrate. The first thing you think is get to the front as fast as possible. Next you're trying to get on the same page w/ your teammates and make sure everyone knows what to do. It's funny how you're not exactly sure who all was in the break with you, when you were working together just minutes earlier. I'm sure this is more the case w/ a large break, such as a group of 9 like ours.
My team was awesome today!!! Chip and I started things off while Eric and Jon controlled the pace behind. Chip later joined in controlling the chase. As soon as we lapped the field, Eric brought me straight to the front and kept me safe. Then the guys sat back a bit and let me take advantage of the Beans and Barley train who was taking care of Loberg, their guy in the break.. With about 3 to go my team came forward again, Chip upped the pace for about 2 laps and then Jon took the reins for the last one. The only unfortunate happening was Jon going up one side while I was on the other. The rider who got his wheel, who I didn't even remember being in the break, wound up 1st and I was 2nd. So close! But I'm happy with a 2nd place Superweek finish, especially considering who won was also the guy who ran away with the overall.
Big thanks to my team!!!
Steven Vandeven
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