Lets get things started at the Fitchburg Longsjo Classic!

The Fitchburg Longsjo Classic is something I look forward to every year. It’s a fantastic race and its about as hometown as we Bostonians can get, except for the much anticipated Boston Mayor’s Cup, of course.

The first day of the stage race this year was the Fitchburg State College Circuit Race. It features a steep finishing climb, a long and extremely bumpy back stretch, and a fast and furious descent into the last turn before the climb. The pro women’s field had 95 starters including a number of former national champions from all over the world and a stacked Colavita/Baci squad ready to take control from the gun. Which they did.

The course itself it challenging enough, but the women’s field was ready to race today. There were some blistering attacks and impressive intermediate sprint competitions. In the end, however, it all came back together and it was a massive sprint for the line. I was lucky enough to hit the last turn at the front of the group, but that sprint hill is a killer and I was pedaling in squares by the line just trying to get to the end. I was hoping for a top 10 but had to settle for 11th. Not too far off.

And of course, before the mayhem began, I was all smiles.