Mid Ohio, May 24, 2008
From CRCycling
By Kevin
IV/V Race
Chris, Al and I drove down to Lexington, Ohio to race on the Mid-Ohio Sports Car course. When we arrived, cars were still out racing around the track. Drivers and their friends and family were hanging around in the parking lot.
The temperature was in the upper 60s and it was windy along the downhill section of the course.
Chris managed to finish 5th in the IV/V race from a field of 25 or so riders.
By Chris
As expected, the race started off with attacks from the beginning. A snakebite rider was in or was the solo rider in almost every attack with other snakebite riders attempting to block the field. These attacks and then counter attacks started breaking up the field until I found there were about 8 of us in our own breakaway. This included 2 ladies, Samantha and Erin, from Elves & More. We worked together somewhat well for a few laps and then the group stalled to a 17 mph pace for a while on the last lap. Everyone soft pedaled until we started around the last few corners. I was sitting 2nd coming into the last corner and decided I would make my jump exiting that corner. I had the early jump but couldn't maintain and got passed by 4 riders in the last 100 meters. Finished with a average speed of 22.4 mph.
By Al
Chris, Kevin and I lined up with about 25 riders in the Mid-Ohio Cat 4/5 field May 24. We were scheduled for 7 laps on this rolling, winding 2.2 mile closed course which also hosts the Indy Racing League in the summer. As expected, the pace was fast right from the start. I was in trouble immediately, hanging on for little more than the first lap. After chasing in the hopes the pace would slow, I “allowed” the Cat 5/Citizen field to join me. I hung with them the last few laps, staying out of their way toward the finish. Although it is always disappointing to get dropped, I did improve over last year’s race. The 4/5 field averaged 22.4 mph, the 5/Citizen field averaged 21.8 mph. Congratulations to Chris for finishing fifth.