Achievement unlocked: Swap bikes at 30 k/h

I was going to write a post about objectives for next season and different things I'd like to work and improve on...  Then I saw this video.. and have decided to invest all further energy into mastering this feat.   Amazing!

 

UCI shoots itself in the foot.. Again

Stop.. Just stop..

As if the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) did not currently have enough negative media attention, UCI president Pat McQuaid and his predecessor Hein Verbruggen have decided to further stoke the fire.  Indeed,  our two loony friends initiated legal proceedings last January against doping critic and journalist Paul Kimmage.   It was revealed on Wednesday that a court date had been set for December 12 and that both McQuaid and Verbruggen were seeking damages of 8000 Swiss francs (each).  News Link

The motivation for such actions?  Annoyance, and claims that the organization’s reputation has been damaged by Kimmage’s articles.   According to Cyclingnews, action had been taken because “ “Mr. McQuaid cannot allow for him or the UCI to be called corrupt.”

(Hein Verbruggen and Pat McQuaid dropping another turd on the sport of Pro Cycling.) (Hein Verbruggen and Pat McQuaid dropping another turd on the sport of Pro Cycling.)

Kimmage, who has written many articles and interviews on the subject of doping had this to say, “We talk about omerta all the time in the sport. This is how they enforce it. Is this what they would say is part of the fight against doping? I don’t think so. This is all about the omerta, and enforcing the omerta.”  Link

The question for me is, of all venues in which the UCI could expend its energy, why go after Kimmage?  It seems strange that in light of the Armstrong allegations (which had been brought forward, long ago by Kimmage), the UCI has decided to put itself back in the spotlight by vengefully attacking one of the sport's most outspoken doping critics...

While perhaps tongue in cheek, Kimmage had this to say about the whole affair, "My reaction to this can be summed up very simply.  Unlike Mr. Verbruggen and Mr. McQuaid, I do not accept donations from Lance Armstrong, so I am not really in a position to defend this. [...]  Hell will freeze over before I issue either of those gentlemen an apology for anything."

"Why is UCI suing an out-of-work journalist Paul Kimmage, when he has done more for the anti-doping movement than any ex-rider? A scandal.” David Walsh (Author of L. A. Confidentiel: Les secrets de Lance Armstrong)



If you are feeling generous, NY Velocity has started a "Paul Kimmage Defense Fund".  I would recommend donating whatever you can, as every dollar raised is a dollar against Omerta.

UCI Road Worlds Preview



(Welcome to the 2012 Amstel Gold Race! *Cough* I mean, UCI Road World Championships!)



With less than 4 days to go until the 2012 UCI Road World Championships, riders - racers and spectators alike - have converged upon the roads of Limburg and are eagerly awaiting the départ of this prestigious race.  Not only will the first rider across the line be crowned "World Champion", he will also don the traditional rainbow jersey (and associated paraphernalia) for the entirety of the 2013 season. At stake, nothing less than cycling immortality.  A place amongst the legends of our sport.

The Route:

 

The course profile for this 79th Road World Championships stands in stark contrast to the "sprinter's dream" offered in 2011.   Riders will set out from Maastricht and navigate through 100 kilometers of hilly and technical roads, in what is perhaps a tribute to the annual Dutch Amstel Gold Race. (The first portion of the race mirrors the AGR circuit.)  No less than 7 climbs will punctuate this preamble and riders will surely get an opportunity to build a bit of early-race fatigue and accumulate some lactic acid in the legs.  Once everyone has enjoyed the foreplay, the peloton will turn onto the final 16.5 km circuit, which will be repeated 10 times.  Not only will the racers have to climb the renowned Cauberg Hill 10 times (1.5 km @ 5.8%, 12 % max), the race organizers have also added Bemelerberg Hill to the mix (900m @ 5%, 7% max).  While the British domination of the 2011 Copenhagen Worlds Championships was indeed a sight to behold, the profile for this race will make it hard for any team to control the race and should encourage some very aggressive riding.  One thing is certain; don’t expect to see a bunch sprint to the line.

(The first 100 km crests 7 taxing climbs.)

(Round we go! 10 loops of this painful circuit!)

  

Indeed, whether the race comes down to a battle between a handful of riders on the Cauberg’s final ascension, or whether someone successfully launches an attack from further out, this year’s edition of the World Championships should be a great one!



The Challengers:

 

Philippe Gilbert



Age: 30

Nationailty: Belgian

Team: BMC Racing Team

Specialty: Puncheur

2012 Results: Vuelta a Espana (2 stage victories), 3^rd - La Flèche Wallone

While Gilbert’s 2012 season has been nothing to write home about – let’s face it, 2 victories in 2012 compared to 18 in 2011 could be qualified as nothing short of a disaster, it is a testament to his class that bookies and odds makers list him as the favourite for Sunday’s race.  Barring unforeseen circumstances, Gilbert should be quite at ease with the roads proposed on the menu.  This hilly-race specialist has won the Amstel Gold Race twice (as recently as last year) and boasts a palmares that most other riders in the current peloton could only dream about.  When he is on form, his accelerations up short and steep hills cannot be matched by anyone in the world.  Two recent stage victories at this year’s Vuelta a Espana further suggest that his form is finally on the mend.

---

Alejandro Valverde, Alberto Contador, Joaquim Rodriguez

Age: 33, 32 and 29 respectively

Nationailty: Spanish

Team: Movistar, Saxo Bank - Tinkoff Bank, Katusha

Specialty: All Rounders

2012 Results: Too many to list...

It may seem cheap that I’ve heaped all three riders into the profile of one “challenger”, however I think it’s safe to say that this six legged, three headed Spanish hydra-beast definitely has the fire power required to blow this race apart.  Whether they’ll be able to come together as a team or whether egos and personal ambitions will hinder their chances remains to be seen, however. All three riders appeared to be on top form at this year’s Vuelta a Espana.  The question now will be to see how depleted they are following the September Grand Tour.

Of the three, Rodriguez is potentially the most explosive rider at their disposal.  If anyone can match and dismantle a Gilbert attack, it’s Joaquim Rodriguez.  When on top of his game, J-Rod has proven time and time again that he is one of the best in races with this type of finish.  His podium finishes at both the Italian and Spanish tours could potentially see him on the tail-end of his second “peak” of the season, however.

It’s much of the same for Valverde, I’m afraid.  While typically phenomenal on these types of courses (Valverdre is a two time winner of Liège-Bastogne-Liège and the 2006 winner of La Flèche Wallone), “El Imbatido” is still finding his legs following his 2 year doping related suspension.  Don’t get me wrong, his podium finishes at the Vuelta a Espana, the Tour Down Under and Paris Nice are nothing to scoff at.  He just doesn’t seem to be firing on all the same cylinders as before.  Regardless, we shouldn’t be too surprised if the Movistar rider finds himself on the top step of the podium on Sunday.

Contador on the other hand, while also undoubtedly fatigued from his efforts at the Vuelta, is coming into this race with a lot less racing in the legs than most of the challengers.  If anything, the Vuelta could have produced a supercompensation effect and Contador could be lining up on Sunday morning with peak physical and psychological form. Throw in some healthy support from both Sanchez’s (Samuel and Lulu) and the evergreen Oscar Freire, and you’ve got yourself a very scary team!

 ---

Vincenzo Nibali

  Age: 27

Nationailty: Italian

Team: Liquigas-Cannondale

Specialty: All Rounder

2012 Results: 3rd at the Tour de France, 1st at the Tirreno-Adriatico, 2nd Liège-Bastogne-Liège, 3rd Milan-San Remo

Vincenzo Nibali has had a quiet, yet extremely solid year.  “The Shark”, as he’s known in the Peloton, has demonstrated his versatility in achieving Grand Tour Success (2010 Overall GC at the Vuelta a Espana and 3rd this year at the Tour de France), yet also stamping his authority in the one day classics.  His third place at the 2012 Milan-San Remo, the “Sprinter’s Classic”, revealed both his aggressive and opportunistic sides.  Nibali possesses considerable “race smarts” and has developed an ability to read the right moves.  Further, he isn’t afraid to attack and lay everything on the line.  Look for him to set off some fireworks at some point before the final climb. 

 ---

Simon Gerrans

Age: 32

Nationailty: Australian

Team: Orica-GreenEDGE

Specialty: Puncheur, Classics Specialist

2012 Results: 1st Milan- San Remo, 1st Australian National Championships Road Race, 1st Tour Down Under, 1st GP cycliste de Québec, 2nd San Sebastian Classic.

Simon Gerrans is enjoying what has potentially been the most impressive season of his career.  He’s been operating at a very high level since the early spring and he has a string of impressive victories to show for it. While judging late-season form is always difficult, Gerrans has showed that he is locked and loaded for Sunday’s race – following a victory in Québec and narrowly missing out on the podium in Montreal.  While I don’t think he could win head-to-head against Gilbert or Rodriguez, Gerrans is a savy rider who will look to make his mark, one way or another.

---

Peter Sagan

Age: 22

Nationailty: Slovak

Team: Liquigas-Cannondale

Specialty: Sprinter, Opportunist, To Be Determined

2012 Results:  Points Classification - Tour de France, Tour of California, Tour de Suisse, Tour of Oman.  15 victories, including 3 stage victories at the Tour de France.

Ah, Peter Sagan.  What hasn't already been said about this generational talent?  At the tender age of 22, he has racked up more professional (and prestigious) victories than most riders will in their entire careers.  His 2012 campaign has already been tremendous and a rainbow jersey would be the perfect cherry on top.  The best thing about Sagan, is that you never know what to expect from him.  Being so young, his physical prowess is still undoubtedly growing and he is just starting to discover what he's capable of.  A mini-merckx indeed.  2012 may be a tad early for Sagan, but the experience will be invaluable and you can bet the house that one day he will be the one being crowned World Champion.   (Don't put it past him to be right up there in the finale, however!!)

Darkhorses:

While the previously named riders have been labelled as "favourites" going into the race, don't be surprised if the following names end up as protagonists on your TV screen Sunday.

Thomas Voeckler
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Rui Costa
Rigoberto Uran
Tom Boonen

and our boy....

Ryder, hoisting the cup.. I mean the Giro trophy!

That's it for this year's preview of the UCI Road World Championships!

Make sure to check the following links on race day for live feeds:
http://cyclingfans.com/
http://www.steephill.tv/

Cheers,

Alex

The Lance Saga - Final Chapter?

(Let me top you up before the next climb!)

It seems like everyone I know has been asking me for my opinion on the whole Lance Armstrong debacle recently.  While I am in no way involved (and never will be) in the professional cycling scene, I have been trying to sort through the mixed messages and reports being spewed by the media of late, in order to form a position on the subject.  As such, my opinions are exactly that.  Opinions.  While I believe in the "where there's smoke, there's fire" idiom (ie: all the signs seem to point towards Armstrong being as big and as bad a doper as they come), I can in no way fully substantiate my claims.

That being said, did Lance Armstrong cheat?

Yes. This USADA verdict is the culmination of an investigation that was started well over 2 years ago (with allegations that Lance and his USPS/Discovery team doped and tested positive at various points in his career (even as late as 2010!)).  A collection of reputable former teammates (Hincapie, Vandevelde, Danielson, Hamilton, Landis, Andreu, Vaughters etc.) were said to have testified and have provided damning evidence that doping practices were prevalent within the team.

(Sad Lance.  The noose seems to be tightening)

"But Alex, this seems to have turned into a witch hunt against one person.  This was over 10 years ago! Why don't they just leave it alone?"  Well, I think the only way to answer this question is to say that doping is one thing, but the way in which this particular cheating case was carried out and how it wove itself deep into the fabric of professional cycling is another thing entirely.  Under the Armstrong rule, Omerta was the law of the land, and if anyone (ie: Christophe Bassons or Simeoni) spoke out against it, they were ostracized and bullied by their peers and inevitably found their careers ruined.  Doping was an accepted practice, and we (the spectators) were made out to be fools for thinking that the product on television was legitimate.  

(Armstrong, taunting Filippo Simeoni for speaking out against doping)

More worryingly though, further allegations claim that cycling's governing body (the UCI) was/is corrupt, in that it accepted money from Lance Armstrong in what could have been an attempt to hush a certain 2001 positive doping control.  Had Armstrong's case moved forward to USADA arbitration, the public would have been able to see all the evidence gathered and have been able to (once and for all) form an educated opinion on the subject.  While this "corruption" within the UCI may or may not still be there, "Omerta" still seems to be in effect.  As the outspoken journalist Paul Kimmage noted; it's curious that out of the current peloton, none of the marquee riders have provided any opinion on the subject - perhaps all voicing silent support for a fallen compatriot, and knowing that a similar fate could befall them.

Is doping still a problem in the pro peloton?

Again, in one word, yes.  One needn't look further than this year's Tour de France to discern the tell-tale signs of cheating.  Turning on the TV, I could only look on with a slightly bemused look as stage after stage, the all mighty Team Sky drilled the pace on the flats as well as the climbs.  (Bradley Wiggins even tried his hand at leading out Mark Cavendish the day before the most important time trial of his career!!!).

(All aboard the Sky train! Next stop, Paris!)

Seeing Edvald Boasson Hagen (EBH) shred the peloton to pieces and isolating all but a select number of team leaders at the start of the high-alpine climbs evoked memories of the fabled (and now unmasked) USPS blue train.  Once EBH would relent, Wiggins would still often find himself in the company of a handful of Sky helpers (all of whom seem to have started blossoming upon joining Sky), to fend off the feeble efforts of the pure climbers.  How unreal (and sad) it was to see Porte, Rogers and Froome easily reel in every single Nibali or Van Den Broek attack, thus securing Wiggins' armchair ride to Paris.

I came across this quote from Pat McQuaid (the president of the UCI), back in June of this year. "“I am not going to say that cycling has been winning the war against doping, but I will say that we have turned a corner on doping, and that the peloton is cleaner than it used to be. [...] In the big mountain stages, you never see the (team) leader surrounded by three or four domestiques. He usually finishes the climb on his own. That wasn’t the case during the big period of EPO."  

After a hearty chuckle, I really do wonder what McQuaid would say now?  I'm guessing not much seeing as both countrymen McQuaid and Sky-boss Dave Brailsford have an interest in promoting British cycling (and globalizing the sport in general).  The similarities between the Lance Armstrong days and this new Team Sky, have undoubtedly not been lost on the UCI brass.  (American cycling exploded in popularity following Armstrong's exploits in the early 2000s, and Great-Britain stands to make a similar evolution as it looks to capitalize on Sky's current momentum).

As a final SKY related tidbit, it is quite interesting that even Lance Armstrong's former doping doctor, Michele Ferrari, noted on his personal website that "The Sky riders are pedaling uphill with very high cadences (often over 100 RPM), which seem quite excessive in relation to the power outputs, around 420-440W. either these athletes are riding below their limit, or the asymmetrical chainrings used by most of them require higher cadences in order to get the best out of them."  While he doesn't come out and say it outright, the opinion seems pretty plain to me.  As if the humiliation Sky dished out on all their opponents wasn't enough, this suggestion that Froome and Wiggins could have been "soft pedaling" up the climbs, seems even more outrageous and disheartening.

How does all of this tie in with Armstrong's USADA case?  Well, as mentioned earlier, the current framework, or "façon de faire" within the peloton is still quite similar to the one established within the early 2000s.  Had the case gone to arbitration, yes, careers would have been ruined, cheaters would have been exposed, PERHAPS the UCI would have crumbled and cycling would have undoubtedly suffered, but maybe (just maybe) this would have allowed for the rebirth that cycling has been so desperately needing. 

I can only hope that by providing their report and the evidence to the UCI (in order to determine whether Armstrong's Tours should be stripped), this USADA case will allow for some closure.

2012 - Green Mountain Stage Report - Cat-3

Hey everyone,

Here is the first – of what I hope will be many – race reports!

As a preface, I would just like to say 2012 (my third season racing on the road) was perhaps my most enjoyable to date.  While I did have to cope with knee problems through the first months and races of the year, physiotherapy and deliciously painful foam roller sessions brought me back on track! 

The resolution of these knee problems thankfully coincided with a return to form.  Many months before (in the dead of winter), I had penciled in the Green Mountain Stage Race (GMSR) as my primary objective for the season.  There is just something about this particular race that keeps drawing me back – perhaps it’s the beautiful scenery, the professional way in which the event is organized, or maybe it’s the community involvement (seems like wherever you go in Warren or Waitsfield, people are asking you about your race experience).

This was my third time signing up for the GMSR.  I knew going in that achieving my top 15 GC objective would be a tough task.  Not only would I have to survive four tough days of racing, the caliber of racer was likely to be much higher than what I usually face off against in Ontario.  It also seems like everyone shows up to GMSR in peak (or close to peak) condition. 

That being said, my numbers on the bike were pretty close to where they needed to be.  A few climbing “test runs” in the Gatineau Park with the Ride with Rendall A-loop, further helped my confidence.  It is thus that I packed up my car (girlfriend Catherine in tow) and embarked on the now familiar trek down to Vermont.

Five hours – and a Ben & Jerry’s stop – later, we arrived at our condo on Summit Road.  It turns out our place was only 5-15 minutes away from the Start areas for Stages 1+2, and literally 15 seconds down the road from the “App Gap” queen stage.  The rest of the afternoon was spent unpacking, preparing gear for the weekend, doing some groceries and pre-riding the TT course. Business as usual!

(Cat and I, driving down - The S5 holding the place of honour in the back seat)

Stage 1 – Warren Store Time Trial:

I woke up on Friday morning feeling pretty good.  I had done the course a few times over the last 3 years and felt like I had a solid plan of attack for the day.  The first stage prologue consists of about 3.6 kilometers of 4-10% climbing (a very similar climb to Fortune for you Ottawa people), followed by a 5.5k flat/rolling/slightly downhill section.  In short, a course that has all the ingredients to whet your appetite for the upcoming weekend of racing, and leaves you gasping for air as you cross the finish line.

I had my standard pre-race breakky of berry-oatmeal and banana sun butter toasts, chatted with the flat-mates (Marcel who was racing in Masters 40, Kelly in Women’s 1-2 and my teammate JP who was accompanied by his gal pal Marie-Pier), and did some last minute inspections on the bike.  JP and I drove down to Warren, unloaded the bikes and did a couple of spins up and down one of the side roads.  Our start times were just a few minutes past 10, which was a good thing because we wouldn’t have to wait around for an eternity and we would avoid the heat!

After a short 20 minute warm-up, I heard my name being called by a USAC official at the start house.  Better turn the bike around and head over sooner rather than later – I have been unlucky (or daft) enough to have missed my start time on more than one occasion.  The most recent being the 2011 Tour of the Dragons, where I arrived unceremoniously 17 minutes after the winner.  There was no way I was going to let that happen today, so I made my way over to the start and had a good 5 minutes to focus on what was coming up.

Before I knew it, I was clipped in and the countdown was on: 5-4-3-2-1. Boom! GAME TIME!  My first instinct is explode out of the gate and climb the first hill like Marco Pantani.  Thankfully, I was able to settle down and get myself into the proper rhythm (roughly 85% of my max).  The goal was to push hard and keep a constant effort, but crest the climb feeling like I could have given a bit more.  With this TT it’s quite easy to redzone and feel completely gased after the climb, thus leaving you empty and slow for the remaining 5-6K. 

The sensations were good on the climb and I was able to pass my 30 second man in the first couple of kilometers.  It would be a lonely road after that catch however, as my 1 minute man was a no show and my 1minute30 guy was having a good ride.  So no more carrots to be seen up the road.  No matter, the TT is about your own personal effort right? Right?  Bueller? Bueller..?

I went over the top of the hill, tried changing gears – pulled an Andy Schleck (something that happened a few times this weekend) and ended up partially dropping the chain.  Oh lordy..  After a bit of back pedaling and shifting, I was able to get it back on and refocus on the lightning fast second portion of the TT.  I had averaged 26kh on the climb, so I knew that to be competitive I would need to cover the last 5.5k in about 7 minutes (between 47-48kh).   I completed the flat section, went down the “Dip^tm” and slowly chugged my way up the final 500 meter hump.  Choochoo!  I ended up rolling in at 15:13 (a 35 second improvement over last year) and good enough for 8^th on the stage, 21 seconds behind the leader.

(Riding the TT on the S5!  Ohhh yeaaa)

 Stage 2 – The Bridges Circuit Race:

The wheels went round, nothing to report.

(Off we go! JP and I head into the fog, for Stage 2 of the GMSR)

Ok, just kidding.. (but not really?)  While the profile for this circuit stage is much more interesting than the one at the Killington Stage Race – ie: the “KOM” is actually a KOM at GMSR, there are enough downhill and open flat roads to make it very challenging for a break to stay away.  Especially in a cat-3 field where breaks get annihilated every time.  In any case, we rode roughly 120 kilometers as a group.  We stretched our legs a bit on the KOMs, gritted our teeth for the intermediate sprints and generally rode a nice tempo pace.  (I think the average speed was close to 40kh)  As predicted, the stage concluded in a bunch sprint which was won by Dave Warner (who was in 5^th at the start of the day).  This meant a yellow jersey swap by virtue of stage victory bonus seconds.  Other than that, the day was pretty uneventful.  I had written down the numbers of everyone in the top 15 prior to that stage, in an attempt to put a face to the name.  Not only did I want to see who the heavy hitters were, I also wanted to gauge their sensations on the climbs.  (Not much luck with the latter venture though.  Everyone had poker faces.)

(Working my way up, in preparation for the KOM)

Stage 3 – Champion System Mad River Road Race:

Ahh, the queen stage!  The one people fear and love.  The one that can validate a season or just as easily crush your hopes in dreams.  Alright, it’s maybe not that extreme (especially since this year’s course didn’t have the traditional Middlebury Gap KOM), but it’s still the highlight of the weekend – at least for me.

The day started off rather normally. In our 5 mile neutral section (rolling down the hill from Sugarbush) there was a crash caused by someone hitting a pothole and slamming into another rider.  We were off to what seemed to be a typical cat-3 race.  Perhaps this early tumble would wake everyone up?

The race "started" 2-3k later and before we knew it, we were cruising down the VT-100 at 50kh. It seemed like everyone wanted to get in a break, but the peloton wasn't letting anything go at this point. We rolled like this for the first hour and a half, until the feedzone. I had told JP that after the feed, we should move our way up the field to play it safe for the KOM.

We navigated up the peloton and hit the KOM in about 10th position. JP went to the front and pulled in an attempt to limber everyone up. I had spoken with the KOM leader and had asked him if he was interested in forming a break after we crested the hill. He said yes, and we went up the KOM with me crossing the line in 4th. As I went to change back to my big ring, my chain locked up AGAIN! It had happened 3-4 times in the circuit stage, but I was able to correct it then. This time, however I had to get off the bike to fix it. Luckily JP was there so he helped me put it back on. I thanked him and booked it back to the peloton as fast as I could. It took about 8-10 mins and I was left cursing (and feeling like Andy Schleck on the Tourmalet), for burning some valuable matches.  Gonna need to figure out why this was happening when I get back home, since I was making sure that I wasn't cross chaining while shifting.

Once I got back in, I weaved my way to the front and recovered briefly. I had been toying with an idea on Saturday evening of trying to break away before the final 2 climbs, and when I saw that there was a rider about 600m ahead (and the peloton looked happy to let him go) I moved to the front, waited for a small hill and pushed the pace. I looked back and saw that I had about 100m on the group with no reaction from them. After that it was full speed ahead.

I kept it around 80% of my TT effort in case they'd catch me before the climbs. So with about 20k to go another rider joined me and we pace lined until the baby gap climb. (3-5k at 6-10%). At this point I dropped him and caught the lone leader. I dropped him as well and kept pushing the pace. 

As I crested baby gap and headed to the base of App Gap I had a lead of 1:30 on the peloton. At the base and with 5k to go, that lead was almost 2 minutes. At this point I really started thinking in my head that victory was possible and went all in on the climb. Unfortunately, the day's efforts (chasing to catch the peloton and then going on a 22-23k breakaway) caught up with me. My legs started cramping really badly. To the point where I was sure I'd have to get off the bike.  I kept wondering whether the lead vehicle caravan had ever stopped on the side of the road because the race leader had to stop and stretch..

All kidding aside, I had to slow my pace down in order to avoid this happening and as a consequence the gap between the peloton and me (which was communicated to me by the lead vehicle) was coming down with every pedal stroke. 1min 40... 1min20...45 seconds...

With 1k to go, the gap was 20 seconds and I could see the follow motorcycles on the switch back below me. And they were going fast.. Uh oh. At this point I'm dealing with what is possibly the worst pain I've ever felt on a bike and I'm turning myself inside out, knowing that the last 300m averages something stupid like 20%. With about 200 to go, the eventual winner passed me and then the two other podium finishers went by with a handful of meters left. I finished 4th on the day and I was (pardon my French) completely f**ked at the top of App Gap. If there's any consolation, only 1 of the guys who passed me was ahead of me on GC so I was able to move up from 7^th to 2^nd overall! (9 seconds behind the yellow jersey – curse you blasted chainring!)

(JP showing the world exactly what he thinks of the App Gap)



(Painface. App Gap. Ouch)

 Went out for pizza that night, had a glass(es) of wine and went to bed feeling like a king!  After 3 days of racing, I was sitting in the highest GC position I’ve ever been in after 3 days of racing.  It was a confirmation that all the hard work, time trials, hill repeats and early mornings, was paying off. 

Stage 4 – Dealer.com Queen City Criterium:

We were greeted with warm sunny weather (for the 4^th consecutive day) on our last day in Vermont.  It was with a bit of sadness that we packed up our stuff and got ready to make the trip to Burlington for the criterium. Where did the season go? It seems like it was only yesterday I was taking the bike out for some early spring rides..  Any way, we made sure to empty the fridge as we prepared our last meal - which was an eclectic combination of weekend leftovers (stir fry, spaghetti, pizza, cereal and toasts).

After a quick walkabout, we hopped into the car and hightailed it to Burlington!   The plan for the criterium was to take advantage of the fact that my 2^nd place in the GC meant I would be called to the start line (thus avoiding the mad scramble to get to the front for the race).  I would then try to hold this position for the remainder of the crit and hopefully maintain my podium position.  I was able to put this plan into action.. For about 2 laps.. When some beast of a rider came by me and strong armed me out of the way.  I instinctively (and unfortunately) unclipped out of my left pedal, since I thought I was going to hit the deck.  I didn’t, but I lost a good 15-20 spots in the pace line as I tried to clip back in.  The rest, as they say, is history.  I spent the remaining 15 minutes of my GMSR criterium experience yo-yoing off the back, trying to unsuccessfully move myself back up, bridging gaps from dropped riders, producing ballistic sprint efforts to catch back on after tight corners, the works…  Thankfully, I made it past the half way mark before I was given the mercy killing by the USAC officials.  I was given an estimated of 2:20 behind the eventual winner, which was enough to make me slide from 2^nd to 15^th overall. 

(Cat and I following the GMSR Criterium)

Bright side? I achieved my top 15 objective.  Debbie downer side? For one small instant, I could taste sweet, sweet glory.  The prospect of finishing on the GC podium of one the biggest and competitive stage races in the North East would have been amazing.  All in all, however, I was quite pleased with the weekend.  I was able to achieve two top 10 results on the stages that I was aiming for, and better yet – the experience gained this weekend was definitely a confidence booster for next season!

After yet another Ben and Jerry’s stop, where we picked up a few pints of Vermont’s finest, we continued on our journey North, passed the desolate wasteland that is St-Jean sur Richelieu, into the wonderful traffic nightmare that is downtown Montreal, out of the “Belle Province” and arrived home around 9pm.  (After a quick Chinese takeout / comfort food stop)

So there it is. The 2012 GMSR is in the books, and by all accounts it was a success!  Thanks go out to all the volunteers and staff for putting on such a great event.  Cheers as well to everyone who shared the condo with me over the weekend.  It was a great gang, and many laughs were shared!

Until next year Vermont! 

Alex