I don't know what it is about barriers on course but they sure do cause a lot of havoc. I'm not immune by any degree after my antics last year in Ft. Collins. This though has to be the best barrier crash I've seen in a long time from the Rapha Focus GP yesterday:
I had a few good crashes myself this weekend. I don't know what it is about switching from the MTB to the CX bike but I usually lay it down a few times early in the CX season. Saturday I found myself on the attack halfway through the race. That lasted all of 1 to 2 minutes when I managed to pile drive myself into the sand pit and break my shifter lever. I lost the group and had to ride to the pit in my easiest gear. By that time the group had 15-20 seconds and the only person I saw from it before the finish was Chris Shepard. I caught him right before the finish and was able to out sprint him. Yup, I out sprinted someone.
I'm surprised I don't have more crashes in the beggining of the CX season. I am usually seeing cross eyed for the whole race just trying to hold the wheel in front of me. In other words I'm riding over my head on a bike that is completely different then my MTB and I'm trying to make up time in the more technical sections because I'm flat out on the pedaling sections.
It feels awesome to ride in the National Champ jersey on the CX bike this year. It's real honnor, especially with so many guys stepping it up in the US. And the field here are getting insane. I think Cross Vegas probably had 10 countries represented this year. Even the World Champ from just a few years ago chose to start his season here. The US promoters have done an amazing job growing the sport.
Sunday I improved on my result from Star Crossed and finished 4th. I was chasing Rob Peeters with Wellens on my wheel on the 2nd or 3rd lap but he dropped my and bridged across to his teammate in the sand. I kept it upright in the sand on Sunday but the Belgies were riding it perfect every time and I only got it right 2 or 3 times. One time I did a pirouette trying to hop back on in the middle, it was something to see. Page caught me in the last 3rd of the race and dropped me in the sand also. I clawed back to him but he dropped me again in the sand on the last lap and I had to settle for 4th. At least I'm getting closer to the podium.
It is awesome racing so much. I am feeling better and better just like a stage race. I will have 5 races in 10 days and then I have a small break. I wish we could race everyday. Each race I have been more and more part of the race. It sucks just hanging on but it's so much fun to be able to attack and chase stuff down. It's also cool when I can actually accelerate instead of just being pinned at one speed the whole time.
Meg and I are heading back to Durango for a day before I'm off to Gateway Cup in St Louis. Looking forward to checking out Mesa Cycles since I've heard so much about the shop from Richard.
I wonder what Winsons' doing right now....
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