Green Mountain Stage Race 2010

2010 GMSR

Master 50+

67 starters

Sporting a new kit, thanks to Onion River, and ready to ride.

 

Stage 1 TT 6.5 miles

 

Here we are again, the GMSR, the big daddy of NE racing. Hard to believe it was time, but indeed it was. I found myself in much better condition than last year, about 10 pounds lighter and none of the serious leg fatigue issues of the year before. I was aiming at a top 5.

This is a TT that you want to have enough of a respectable ride to not handcuff yourself with a big time deficit for the rest of the race. You don't need to win, but you need to be in the ballpark. My goal was about 15 minutes and not lose more than 1 minute to superman Dave Viney and world TT champ Dzmitry Buben.

The weather was warm and muggy maybe 82 degrees, no wind. 

I warmed up on Lincoln Gap road as usual, saw some old friends I don't see a lot until GMSR

, said some hellos and then got down to business. Up and down, spin and sit, work the legs up to some serious short burns, then recover and do it again. Watch the clock, the minutes ticking down until my start at 4:24:30. Time it just right so I get to the line warmed up, but not cooled down from the warm up. Tricky thing sometimes, timing for the TT start. Obviously you need to go mach from the time the official says GO. Came off Lincoln Gap, headed to the start area, circling around like a shark in a tank. Looking at all the other guys, wondering how good are they going to be? How good was I going to be? Or bad? Finally it was time. Into the start house, timer counting down from 30 seconds, deep breaths and full concentration on the task at hand. Breath and pedal, breath and pedal. GO! It was on, ready or not I was headed up the road to start the GMSR

 2010. All the training, all the miles, all the thoughts, all the anticipation, all behind me. Time to race bikes.

This TT starts uphill for about 2.5 miles, not steep, maybe 4-5%. I jumped from the line, stood briefly, accelerated up to speed, then quickly sat down and settled into the rhythm. Breath and pedal. I was tapping out a pretty good tempo it seemed. I was catching my 30 second man, although not very fast. You can't get caught up in that game though. Go as fast as you can go, Let the other guys take care of themselves. Up the climb in pretty good shape, HR around 175. In good control. Over the top, stood and almost red-lined as I accelerated onto the false flat top section of the course. Careful here, you blow in a TT you will lose major time trying to recover. Across the top, struggling a bit with some tempo, still going well though. Onto the final 3 miles pretty much slight downhill before the road kicks up sharply for the final 500 meters. Down the hill fast fast, spin spin, the up the hill, stand and try and hold the speed, hard hard hard, then sit, now 300 meters sitting and digging for all I can, the 200 meter sign and stand a sprint, OUCH OUCH, major pain, push push almost there, where the hell is the line? Finally across. Nearly gagging with the effort. Circle down the road and turn around to see where Dave Viney comes in as he started 2 minutes behind me. Thank god he did not catch me, that would have been embarrassing. Here he comes, one minute behind, which means he beat me by a minute. Not good, but about what I thought. That guy can TT like it ain't legal. 

Box Score:

1 533 14:36.08 0:00:00 Dave Viney La Bicicletta Elite Team

2 500 14:56.52 0:00:20 Dzmitry Buben CCB Wheelworks Team

3 527 15:16.25 0:00:40 Kevin Mosher CCC/Keltic Construction/Zanes cycles

4 508 15:29.89 0:00:53 Keith Davies MAMBO KINGS RACING/D&Q

5 563 15:34.46 0:00:58 William Thompson CCC/Keltic Const/Zanes Cycles

6 529 15:39.74 0:01:03 Rick Sorenson Onion River Sports

7 564 15:43.92 0:01:07 Al Blanchard Westwood Velo

8 528 15:44.18 0:01:08 Geoff Banner ZM Cycling Club

9 544 15:45.53 0:01:09 Doug O'Neill Deno's Wonder Wheel

10 515 15:47.31 0:01:11 Dan Fitch Team Ommegang-Syracuse Bicycle

Thoughts:

I was not as fast as I would have liked, but, satisfied that was as fast as I could go. I was in the game.

 

Stage 2 Circuit Race 64 miles

3 laps of a 21 mile loop, one three tiered climb, the rest, rolling.

Weather: cloudy windy low 70's.

My goal on this day was to burn as few matches as possible and not lose time to any GC threats. The KOM jersey was a possibility, but it is one of those things you have to see how it plays out. No need to use a lot of gas and then not get it. Tricky.

Lap 1 was uneventful, a lot of watching going on. Onto lap 2 and up the climb to the first KOM. Dave Viney hit the front, I found myself on his wheel and away he went. Right from the bottom, some serious leg burning tempo. I mean, I was thinking, Christ, am I the only one about 2MPH away from getting dropped? He was drilling it. Up ramp one, ramp two and then the final 500 meters up and he was still just smoking along with the field strung out and in tatters behind. I was  glued to his rear wheel and thinking I had the perfect leadout but at this speed could I even come around? KOM 200 meter sign and I know this is where you have to jump if you want the points, so off his wheel I go, full gas. I passed him, doggedly sprinting for the line, expecting someone, anyone to come around me as I was not going all that fast, I was red-lined. Across the line, I got it. Wow. KOM 1 is in the bag. Nice, nice surprise. Now, I need to spend about five minutes attempting to get some recovery. Ouch, I was really hurting. Vineys pace had split off a group of 7 including Buben and he roared by me yelling gogogogo!. Down the hill we went, me still sputtering and trying to get some breath back, then I looked around and realized none of the Keltic boys(Thompson, Moser and Roldan)had made the split. That would doom the break as I knew those guys would go ballistic in their chase, which is what happened as they led a long line of riders back to us after a 5-miles or so. Around the loop again, small attacks nothing sticking, heading for the bell lap and the final time up the climb for KOM 2. I knew if I could get his one I would have a big advantage points wise heading into tomorrow. I positioned my self up front, no Viney this time, good news and bad news. Ramp 2 some guy jumped hard and I had to follow him, and that hurt like a dog let me tell you. Up ramp 3 to the KOM line me in second place, but the pace not so fast, guys are milling around behind and coming beside me, I can feel it. Dave Kellogg jumps just before the 200 meter sign coming from behind me, I shift and chase, but it was one of those days you just know. I had the legs and I knew I had him. Big kick and around and by him. KOM 2 was mine. Nice. Down the hill and now think about the finish, a chaotic false flat downhill into a block headwind. I needed to get a good wheel and wait till 100 meters and go, I felt I had the legs to win this thing. We hit the final k altogether, and the jostling for position was nasty. Elbows and swerving, it was getting crazy. I was looking desperately for a pilot fish to get me right where I needed to be, to no avail. I got swarmed at 300 meters and pinned tight in the group. By the time I got out, it was too late. 6th in the sprint, but no loss of skin and the KOM jersey for tomorrow. Not a bad day.

Thoughts:

Got out of it with the KOM jersey and did not burn a lot of matches. No change in GC.

Box Score:

1 514 2:19:12 0:00:00 Arthur Brown Battley Harley-Davidson/Sonoma Restaurant/Teaism

2 531 2:19:12 0:00:00 Eric Derivera Valley Bike and Ski Werks Racing

3 521 2:19:12 0:00:00 Eutimio Quintero CRCA/ Foundation

4 533 2:19:12 0:00:00 Dave Viney La Bicicletta Elite Team

5 565 2:19:12 0:00:00 Pascal Sauvayre CRCA/BH-Garneau

6 529 2:19:12 0:00:00 Rick Sorenson Onion River Sports

7 545 2:19:12 0:00:00 Bruce Townend Valley Bike and Ski Werks Racing Team

8 548 2:19:12 0:00:00 Chris Black Ride With Rendall

9 526 2:19:12 0:00:00 Haluk Sarci Deno's Wonder Wheel

10 534 2:19:12 0:00:00 Chuck Litty Bethel Cycle Sport Club

Stage 2 - The Bridges Circuit Race

KOM #1 - Route 100 - Duxbury - Lap 2

1 529 Rick Sorenson Onion River Sports 5

2 533 Dave Viney La Bicicletta Elite Team 3

3 559 David Kellogg Arc En Ciel 1

KOM #2 - Route 100 - Duxbury - Lap 2

1 529 Rick Sorenson Onion River Sports 5

2 559 David Kellogg Arc En Ciel 3

3 533 Dave Viney La Bicicletta Elite Team 1

Kellogg leads me up to the Midd gap KOM

 

 

Stage 3 App Gap, 75 miles

One loop, two major climbs.

Weather: Very windy, cloudy, 55 degrees at the start.

 

Arguably the Queen Stage of the year in NE racing, The Mad River Road Race that finishes on top of Appalachian Gap. Near legendary to NE racers. We all know how hard it is and how much suffering is in store on this day. Can make for a restless night.

The route had a bit of a change due to road construction. We detoured into Waitsfield and had to go over a 3.5 mile climb to start. Interesting. Much discussion about who might light it up and go for the early break. The problem was a big headwind all the way to Middlebury pretty much ended any ideas of that happening. Kept everyone together. Lengthened the stage, it was almost 1.5 hours of riding before we made the turn up to Middlebury gap and the days first real obstacle. This climb gets pretty nasty the last mile. Like 7MPH nasty. It is hard, and a big 10 point KOM was at the top. I really wanted this one, if I could get it I would really be in the drivers seat to hang on to the jersey for good. Up we went, me right at the front. Hard tempo, but not screaming hard. Field all stretched out as we hit the final really steep mile. Kellogg went in front of me and amped it. I sat on his wheel and watched the internal pressure gages go up and up. 500 meters to go, maybe 12-15% grade and he is standing and driving it. He is obviously going for the KOM and trying to blow me off his wheel to get it. I am holding on though, legs good at this point. I rode this climb a couple of weeks before and really paid attention to the markers on the road. I figured it was so steep, wait till 100 meters and then go. Exactly what happened. I smoked around Dave and holy mackerel, I had the KOM! Wow. This was working out nicely. I had a nearly insurmountable lead now, unless I completely blew up for the last two KOM spots. Down the long Middlebury descent, we eventually formed a 14 man group that worked together and rode hard all the way to Bristol. Kind of fun to be in a group that  everyone is working in and drilling it. Well, fun in a demented kind of way. It hurt. We headed up Bristol Notch road for the second KOM of the day, this one worth 5 points. Kellogg jumped me from behind this time, but I had him easy at the line. He thumped down a bit dispirited in the saddle as I passed him, he knew the KOM was almost a done deal now. As we turned to go up Baby Gap, the warmup climb before App Gap, most of the big names were present and accounted for. If you had missed this group your GC hopes were over. Baby Gap was deadly quiet, steady tempo. Everyone pretty much alone with their thoughts, wondering what the guy next to you had left and knowing what was ahead. Through the Baby Gap climbs, no attacks, a few guys popped off and we hit App Gap proper with maybe 10. I saw the sign for 4KM to go and told Kellogg, the good news is it is only 4K. The bad news is it is a really hard 4K. Understatement. Now, climbing steadily and the line is breaking up and guys are going backwards. This really is the crux of the entire race. We have all raced and trained thousands of miles this season and it comes down to 2.5 miles up App Gap. You either have it or you don't. There is no place to hide and you will get no favors. Up and up we went, me concentrating on deep breathing and staying in control, easier said than done when you are 3 plus hours into the ride and your HR is near 180. The casualty list starts to grow. Thompson, overall winner of the Tour of the Catskills a month ago, is gone. I could see that coming as he was riding on the nose of his saddle and all hunched over on baby gap. Poof. Blanchard gone, he rode away from me on the climb at Hilltowns. Moser gone, he dropped me like a rock on the Devils Kitchen climb at Catskills. Then, the shocker, Viney is dropped! Someone must have handed him some kryptonite, cause superman had vanished. Now just Buben, me, Kellogg and Sarci. 1 KM to go. You can see the finish from here and it looks like Mt. Olympus in the distance it is so far above you. The hardest 1KM of the year, no doubt. Dzmitry goes! Kellogg follows and I am gapped. Sarci behind me. I am totally pegged, I just can't go any faster. I want to, I know I need to, I just can't. The 500 meter sign and lord, it looks like 5 miles the finish is still so far above you. People now lining the road, yelling but I barely hear them. My internal noise is so loud I am practically deaf. Sarci catches and passes me, Kellogg is just ahead and Buben has gapped him. We are all standing and riding for our lives. So close now, 200 meters to go. Last year I sprinted here and caught and passed 4 riders. I try, the others are so close, but it is like trying to push the accelerator pedal thru the firewall. There is just nothing left in it. Massive block headwind blowing down straight in your face as well. I vaguely remember Alan Atwood calling my name as I neared the line and people yelling, I put my head down and squinted so hard I am surprised I did not bleed from the eyes. Finally, finally, across the line. The word relief does no justice to what it feels like to cross the line at App Gap.

Final meters of App gap

Thoughts:

I wish I had that .05% at the end to win it, but that was the best I could do.

Not attractive, but this pretty much sums up the day

Box Score:

Stage 3

1 500 3:30:14 0:00:00 Dzmitry Buben

2 559 3:30:26 0:00:12 David Kellogg

3 526 3:30:32 0:00:18 Haluk Sarci

4 529 3:30:43 0:00:29 Rick Sorenson

5 508 3:30:58 0:00:44 Keith Davies

6 565 3:30:58 0:00:44 Pascal Sauvayre

7 527 3:31:22 0:01:08 Kevin Mosher

8 547 3:31:35 0:01:21 Bob Roldan

9 533 3:31:40 0:01:26 Dave Viney

10 541 3:31:47 0:01:33 Mark Luzio

Criterium start line

 

Stage 4 Criterium Downtown Burlington.

Windy, sunny, low 70's.

A bit of a nervous affair as places 2-7 were separated by only 28 seconds heading into this fast, technical crit. GC time bonuses were available on laps 20 and 10. If you took care of business and got them, you could move to 2nd. If you did not, you could drop off the podium alltogether. Nervous times indeed. While riding around warming up, I get the news Viney has gone home! Bad for him, good for me as I now move to 3rd on the GC.

 Call up to the line in the KOM jersey, nice, as you get a good starting spot. In the pedal quick and second around the first corner. Now, I need to stay here all day and make sure the GC time bonus sprints do no go awry. That is hard, staying in the front 5 of  a crit for 25 laps but I did. Sprint one I was second(6 second bonus) and sprint 2 I was third(4 second bonus). breathing abit easier now, I should be fine in GC for 3rd overall. Buben attacks, I chase. A few laps later he goes again, I chase him down again. With maybe 6 to go he attacks, and no one chases. Kellogg later told me he was watching me only, so, Buben was off for the solo win. This crit featured about 5 guys racing and 45 hanging on to their asses waiting for it to be over. Headed to the bell lap in second spot right where I need to be, someone attacks, I am on his wheel, perfect leadout , halfway around he blows up, now I am at the front, not so good. So I just go. Full gas attack, get a small gap, two turns to go, one turn to go up the hill to the finish and my legs are toast! Passed by 4 guys I settle for 6th.

Sprint leader Brown, KOM Sorenson Overall leader Buben

Box Score:

1 500 0:36:14 0:00:00 Dzmitry Buben CCB Wheelworks Team

2 559 0:36:21 0:00:07 David Kellogg Arc En Ciel

3 552 0:36:21 0:00:07 Glenn Swan FLCC Chris's Cookies

4 508 0:36:21 0:00:07 Keith Davies MAMBO KINGS RACING/D&Q

5 514 0:36:21 0:00:07 Arthur Brown Battley Harley-Davidson/Sonoma Restaurant/Teaism

6 529 0:36:21 0:00:07 Rick Sorenson Onion River Sports

7 521 0:36:21 0:00:07 Eutimio Quintero CRCA/ Foundation

8 531 0:36:21 0:00:07 Eric Derivera Valley Bike and Ski Werks Racing

9 538 0:36:21 0:00:07 Tim Dodd NEBC/Cycle Loft/Devonshire Dental

10 565 0:36:21 0:00:07 Pascal Sauvayre CRCA/BH-Garneau

11 563 0:36:21 0:00:07 William Thompson CCC/Keltic Const/Zanes

Chasing Dzmitry

Final GC:

Men 50+

1 500 6:40:11 0:00:00 Dzmitry Buben CCB Wheelworks Team

2 559 6:41:21 0:01:10 David Kellogg Arc En Ciel

3 529 6:41:45 0:01:34 Rick Sorenson Onion River Sports

4 508 6:41:52 0:01:41 Keith Davies MAMBO KINGS RACING/D&Q

5 527 6:42:11 0:02:00 Kevin Mosher CCC/Keltic Construction/Zanes cycles

6 526 6:42:12 0:02:01 Haluk Sarci Deno's Wonder Wheel

7 565 6:42:47 0:02:36 Pascal Sauvayre CRCA/BH-Garneau

8 547 6:43:00 0:02:49 Bob Roldan CCC Keltic Construction/Zanes Cycles

9 541 6:43:11 0:03:00 Mark Luzio CYCLE FITNESS

10 563 6:44:28 0:04:17 William Thompson CCC/Keltic Const/Zanes Cycles

Final KOM;

Overall Results

1 529 Rick Sorenson Onion River Sports 28

2 559 David Kellogg Arc En Ciel 21

3 500 Dzmitry Buben CCB Wheelworks Team 13

4 526 Haluk Sarci Deno's Wonder Wheel 11

5 508 Keith Davies MAMBO KINGS RACING/D&Q 1

6 541 Mark Luzio CYCLE FITNESS 1

Final Podium Kellogg, Buben, Sorenson

Final Thoughts:

I could not have ridden any better I think. Dzmitry

 and Kellogg were just a little bit better than me. So it goes. I won the KOM competition, finished 3rd overall, made my entry fee back, did not get rained on or lose any skin. Pretty good 4 days in the Green Mountains.

Special Thanks to my good friend Scott(super wrench)

 Hardingwho not only kept the bike in top order for me, but graciously let me use his Zipp 404's (as well as the super secret sewups for the crit) for this race. Definitely gave me piece of mind and saved me seconds, if not minutes. Many thanks Scotty!