FLCC> Greene Cyclocross

[Steve Edgar]

Full results of Greene Cyclocross are at ..

http://web.mac.com/steve.edgar/Cross/Greene.html

The Central New York Cyclocross Series web page has been updated at ...

http://web.mac.com/steve.edgar/Cross/Series.html

Some good battles broke out today in both the Masters and Open races.

Glenn won the Masters.  With one lap to go Adrius Stabel, Ernie  
Bayles and Greg Drum were wheel to wheel, and they looked set to  
throw down.  Ad gapped Ernie enough for 2nd.  Greg held on for 4th.

The big ride of the day was from Rhino, who looked impressive the  
full hour, and got 5th.  He may have been in the hunt for 2nd, had he  
not biffed in "The Esses".

I did the Open Men's event, and had folks to race with the entire  
distance.

I got into a great duel with John Compton.  I thought I had him  
permanently gapped mid-race, but he came back strong and repassed me.

With one lap to go it was John, two other riders, and me, battling  
for 20th, with John leading.  It didn't matter we were racing mid- 
pack.  No one wanted to concede.

I get by the 3rd rider in our group on the pavement section by the  
bus garage.  It is now 3-up until the mini steep hill.  There, John  
sets a pace that cracks the other rider.  I dig in and stay on.  Now  
it is 2.

When we hit the open field I come by John, but can only get a tenuous  
gap.  He closes up to my back wheel at the off camber hairpin.  We  
hit the "option barrier section" together.  I go left.  He goes  
right, and is slightly faster over the barriers.  I am now on his  
wheel entering the spiral.

I am just about cooked, but have enough left for one more effort.  My  
plan is to setup a pass at the exit of the spiral.  I make a wide  
entrance and turn early, so I can accelerate hard with the bike  
straight up and down to go for the pass.  I get my front wheel up to  
John's pedal, but he is too strong, and holds me off.  I am 21st.

It was great action.  Oh... and my splits were... 9:08, 9:12, 9:10,  
9:08, 9:11, and 8:55.

Next week is the series final.  It should be a blast.

-- Steve.