Uni Hill Crit Race Report

When I woke up at 5:45 this morning it was only drizzling a little, but it sure was cold. I planned on arriving at the race early to check out the course before the first men’s race at 8am. My race didn’t begin until 8:55, but I arrived by 7:15 and it was definitely raining. I’d heard that the race was pretty technical with some sharp turns, and that there was a significant hill (thus the name Uni Hill, right?!).

The race start was at the bottom of the hill, and it was a long haul to the first 90 degree right hand turn. Shortly after there was a 90 degree left turn, and more uphill. I had several friends and Coach Alison there cheering for me during the race, and that made all the difference! Finally there was a sharp right turn and then coasting downhill…a sharp right, then left, more downhill, and two super fast right turns before heading uphill briefly to the finish. I knew I had to be first in those last two right turns if I was going to take the sprint in the end.

I have already earned 20 points to upgrade to a 3, so my goal for this race was to support my teammate Athena and hammer on the hill to tire out the field so she could sprint for the win. We finally started after a confusing warm-up in which we thought our race start would be delayed, however at 8:45 it was confirmed that we were indeed starting on time and I had warmed up less than 20 minutes. Merilee took off at the start and set a great pace. We all had to work on that hill and I believe we all stayed together. By the downhill section, I noticed a CU racer who was making a gap. I wasn’t too worried since she was by herself it wouldn’t be too hard for the field to catch her, but I also noticed she was taking the corners really well (even in the pouring rain!) so at some point I bridged to her. I had to accelerate a lot and I believe that is when the field broke up. I heard a girl come from behind me who said it was just four of us now. I wasn’t sure where Athena was but I knew slowing down would cost the team a chance on the podium because I likely wouldn’t be able to drop back and then catch the break again. So I rode with GS Boulder rider Jill Duster, the CU girl, and the fourth girl was on and off again with us.

Around five laps to go I made an attack up the first section of the hill. The two girls caught me and I hoped I didn’t blow myself up. I stayed with them and let them work a bit while I recovered. When we made the right turn before the finish line for one lap to go, I made a big attack but I don’t think I made too much of a gap. Alison was there and encouraged me to go harder, and I knew this was the crucial point for me to break away before the downhill so that I could be first through the last two turns. I thought about all the training I’ve been doing and I worked as hard as I could, took the corners fast, was first through the last two turns and sprinted first through the finish! I don’t know how far behind CU girl was, but results posted that she took 2^nd and Jill 3^rd.

It was only in January that I was telling myself I will never upgrade in road because the competition is so strong and also I will never be able to do well in crits because of my poor cornering skills. I am really proud of how I took the corners today and that I actually felt quite comfortable. There were some scary moments when I went wide after the turn and didn’t exactly have control over my line, but fortunately the field was so strung out there was a lot of room. I know I have a lot to learn and I look forward to racing with the 3’s and having more practice with larger fields.

I’m also happy that all my interval training is paying off. My powertap data looks just like an interval workout. My LT is 245, and I did about 12 intervals up the hill, each about a minute and a half and averaging around 270. Peak power for 5 sec was 787, 30 sec 458, 1 min 348. I worked hard and this win felt good…Koppenberg was great, too, but I was with the field the whole time and didn’t work hard until the very end, except for the three short climbs up the hill. My all time peak 5 sec was at Koppenberg at 912 which shows just how bad I wanted that win!

I don’t think I got up to 25 points for a forced upgrade today because the field was so small. I hope to race Sonic Boom and Superior Morgul as a 4 and hopefully after Morgul will have an auto upgrade.

Congratulations to Athena who braved the rain and sharp corners – this was a scary race and showing up for it is a huge accomplishment and definitely a learning experience. Merilee did a great job supporting the team in the beginning of the race, and I hope she is warm and dry by now! Once again I’m especially thankful to Coach Alison for her support and positive energy.