2009 IC3 Dash for Cash race report

2009 IC3 Dash for Cash
Originally uploaded by Trefethen

Again, I've waited to long to blog about this, so some of the details are hazy. Nine Team Velo Girls members entered this race -- nearly the entire team! Angela didn't race but did come provide support. This was our first race where we had a real, honest-to-god team strategy. We decided that we were going to set up Ann to win, with the rest of us either leading out or sweeping up behind. The exceptions were Dana and Kat, for whom this would be their first criterium, and Yari and Bobbi Jo, who were designated as prime hunters.

The race started unbelievably slowly. I had my Garmin in my pocket where I couldn't see it, but someone said later that the first lap or two were only about 16 mph. At one point, one of the mentors told us that the race would be a lot safer if we went faster. The pace picked up slightly, but it wasn't until the first prime, at lap five, that it picked up significantly. Bobbi Jo didn't win the first prime, but she did win one of the later ones -- $30.

At five laps to go, we started getting into position. Before the race, it seemed like that would be way too early, but it turned out that it really did take a couple of laps to find everyone and maneuver into a line to protect Ann. Vanessa started by getting on Ann's wheel. I was assigned to be the first leadout, and ramp up the speed starting with two laps to go. I kind of got myself into a place and then hoped for the best -- I couldn't look behind me to see if everyone was there so just had to trust. Fortunately, Bobbi Jo and Emily did slot in behind me and in front of Ann. With about three laps to go I found myself near the head of the pack, basically a whole lap earlier than I'd planned to, when all of a sudden Katie pulled up next to me. She had originally been designated to be in the leadout train behind me, but for some reason couldn't get in. I asked (well, told) her to get in front of me, so I got to rest for another half lap or so. Then I started my pull in earnest. It was just me at the front for quite awhile, pulling the whole pack around the course. I might have been able to go a bit further, but I had an opportunity to pull off safely so did so just after the finish line with one lap to go, and everyone swarmed by me. I limped around the rest of the course, finishing second to last.

I only found out later what had happened -- there had been some confusion/near collision in the final turn, so a lot of stuff got screwed up. Ann got caught in the confusion, and Emily ended up having to sprint after her leadout, finishing sixth. Despite the disappointment of Ann not being able to win, we were all very happy that our strategy worked well, and that we were all able to participate -- even Kat, who hadn't originally had a "job" other than to experience her first race, ended up taking over for Vanessa in protecting Ann's wheel near the end. We had changed some things on the fly -- like Katie taking the first leadout spot instead of me -- but because we all knew the plan in advance, we were able to be flexible about it. It was great. People said it looked awesome. I wish I could have seen it, but unfortunately you don't get to see much at the front. :-)

Lessons/thoughts -- try picking an inside line for the leadout (rather than the outside line); sitting in near the front of the pack (as I did for most of the race) worked well in terms of conserving energy and not being subject to the surge-y-ness I suffered from at Memorial Day crit.