LCBC sent three racers to the 19th Annual Carl Dolan
Memorial/Howard County Library Spring Classic; Luke Mysko racing the Cat 1/2/3
and Joe Siegel and Andrew Stroup racing the Cat 4/5. The race weather was oddly
warm (mid-80s) with a moderate breeze, making it feel more like June then
April.
The Cat 4/5 and Cat 1/2/3 were the last two races of the day, so
the guys arrived around noon to scope out the course and conduct their pre-race
rituals. Word got around quick about the numerous wrecks on the course in
almost every race. As Joe and Andrew pulled up to the starting line, the Cat
3/4 race was on the course again for a restart due to a really nasty wreck,
sending a racer to the hospital with a cracked skull. During the last lap of
the restart, another 5-7 bike wreck went down in the back of the pack, cutting
the race in half; definitely not a good omen for the start of their race.
The officials decided to cut the Cat 4/5 distance from 10 to 8
laps, making the race about 16.7 miles. The reduced distance only increased the
speed of the race with a 23.6mph pace, including a neutral lap due to a wreck
mid-race. Joe and Andrew were able to maintain a mid-pack position throughout
the ride, moving with the surges of the pace lines. As expected, the final lap
pushed everyone's legs into overdrive, driving the pace to the highest of the
entire race. The group started stretching, dodging the lapped racers on both
sides, and testing the racers on whose legs would hold out to the finish line.
As soon as the group made the final turn, the hammer was laid down into the
descent, leading up to the incline and finish. Joe was able to pull away and
grab a back wheel, only to get exposed to the wind towards the top of the hill,
finishing ~10th overall. Andrew was not far behind, holding onto a wheel,
attacking a little too early up the incline. Both Joe and Andrew finished well
among the Cat 5s, 6th and 14th place out of 47 racers and a >80 field.
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| Joe and Andrew in the Cat 4/5 |
Luke's race followed immediately after, 18 laps on the board or
~38 miles. The pace was consistent and fast the entire race, where any mistake
would push a racer to the back of the group and potentially dropped. Halfway
into the race, a three man breakaway formed, consisting of two DC Velo racers
and a Kelley racer. A couple of chase groups attempted to bridge the gap, but
were never able to close the time difference and were consumed by the peloton.
Luke maintained a solid mid-pack position, always finding a wheel and putting
out solid efforts when the peloton would surge. The breakaway ended up creating
over a minute time gap with 3 laps to go, securing the top three podium
positions. During the final lap, Luke pushed hard around the turn and hammered
out a solid sprint to secure a 21st place finish, 2nd among the Cat 3s.
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| Luke in the Cat 1/2/3 |
LCBC was represented well. Congratulations to all of them and we
look forward to the next race!
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