Rocking the Road Race - Trying to Anyway

The second day this year was the road race, different in a couple of ways from year’s past – first, because we were not finishing up Wachusett Mountain, but instead in Princeton Center and second, because the sprint points were fought out at the finish line instead of the KOM line at the base of Wachusett. On paper, it might have seemed like it would be an easier day than in years past, but it certainly wasn’t.

Colavita/Baci was once again in charge of things and that meant making sure each time through Princeton Center and the feed zone climb, the race was shattered to pieces and everyone was put on the rivet.

It was a race of attrition from beginning to end and the Wheelworks-ers worked hard to stick it out and fight to the very end. Everyone pushed themselves beyond what they thought was the limit and valiantly made it to the finish. I was lucky enough to follow the right wheels and dig deep at the right time, so kept myself in the front group.

But the Colavita/Baci women were too strong for the field and first Rushlee Buchanan went up the road with a Verducci Breakaway rider, and then Cath Cheatley joined them after a vicious attack. Cath won for the second day in a row, showing just how strong she is at the moment.

I was able to ride in with the front group, attempting to sprint, but finding I had just about nothing left in the tank as I rounded the corner into Princeton Center.