Baystate Cyclocross : VERGE UCI Race Reports

In my usual way I plan to keep these short as I need to get some work done before RI race weekend...and go train!

Sterling is traditionally the weekend after Thanksgiving and for 2009 became a 2 day event to fall in line with the other Verge series races.

Friday turned out to be a cold and rainy "black" day and I was forced to use my trainer for the first time this season to get my training in. After an hour of hard efforts I prepped the bikes with the Dugast Rhino's and tried to lay low for the rest of the day.

Saturday dawned brisk and WINDY!!! (40+mph) but the sun was out so I knew the chance for a dry track was good...I was right! No mud at all! And another great Tom Stevens design using the multi tiered course at Sterling.

I got a great jump on the whistle and lead the pack of nearly 75 riders around the cinder track to the run up. after the big run up the selection happened, JB, myself, Roger A and Kevin H. were all to the races. Roger and Johnny were making most of the pulls and I was sitting on. With 3 to go, I got gapped off a bit and had to bridge back on the track, when I made the connection I went to the front so I could lead into the technical sections. This sort of worked to slow down the better bike "drivers" then the attacks started. First Kevin, then Roger and finally Johnny. The elastic snapped and I was left in no mans land at 20sec back. I would finish there for another 4th place. I know on a good day I have the legs to ride with these guys, I just need to be better positioned and take more chances.

Sunday was a gorgeous day, the warmest I have ever raced at Sterling. No gloves warm! On Sunday I didn't get the same start and was swarmed but a half dozen guys in the first corner. Johnny immediately made a hard effort that would create the winning gap. Roger and Kevin chased hard but I got left behind. I slayed myself for 35+ minutes with the only help coming from Steve P. In hindsight this was a major error as I was just pulling around 5 guys who would go on to out sprint me for 4th. I was pretty pissed on the racing tactics of my other Elite Masters, but I eventually chalked it up to good racing on their part. 9th on the day.

I go into the final VERGE race weekend in RI 5th in points, 7 out of 4th. Hopefully the legs will be good and I race to my ability to wrap up the season.

Here is a pic from Day 1 in Sterling.

Thanksgiving Plans...

...a lot of truth here in the Perham house.

Shedd Park : BRC Cross : Short Report

I really enjoy this course! I had to miss it in 2008 as I was away at the OTC for some work functions. The course is super fun and the promoter added a few technical sections for this year including a series of steep 180 turns on the side hill along w/a double barrier at the bottom of the steep run up.

I lined up (ok pushed my way...) on the front row next to Bill Shattuck. Some of the usual VERGE suspects were racing as well, including Rob Hult and Mark G and John M from the 45+ A races. I got a good jump and followed Bill around the cinder track. When we hit the twisty's on lap 1, I punched it and got a good 5sec gap but knew I only had "ok" legs so I decided I would ease up, ride smooth and wait for the cavalry to arrive. Soon I was joined by elite racer Pete Smith, Bill S, and a few others. Bill, Pete and I did the lions share of the work and soon we had a gap over Rob Hult. We rode well together till 1 to go then I threw down a series of hard efforts to see where we all stood...I had a nice little gap up the steep riding section, then proceeded to almost dump it in the next corner...DOH! So it would come down to a sprint on the track. 2 Roadies v. me, the triathlete...great. I lead through the forest and onto the track, I waited a second or 2 then I nailed it. I knew if I stayed on the inside Bill and Pete would have to come around me. I never really "sprinted" per se, just pushed VERY hard on the pedals...with ~15 meters to the line, I saw Pete inching closer...but not in time! Win! I was pretty psyched as I feel I did most of the work in the group and led a large part of the race. Pete and Bill were impeded a bit by back markers for sure...but I took the chance to lead onto the finish strip, and it paid off.

Next up are 2 VERGE races in Sterling MA and then the VERGE finals in RI....then a little break!

Here are a few pics from the race, thanks to Nick6kcin for them!

everybody is getting into cross...

first triathletes, now the hipsters.

quicky NoHo Recap

Leading up the run up Saturday.

Sat : 6th with really bad legs. Looking back, I dont see anything glaring that might indicate why (diet/openers workout, etc) maybe just a long drive Fri and Sat AM?

Sun : was MUCH better. Great start, made the selection with the big hitters (Bold, Hines, Aspolm, Kraus and Boivin). Curtis got spit out 2 laps in and then I bobbled/drove like an idiot and got spit out rolling into the last lap. Rolled in for an uncontested 5th.

Next up are two low key race weekends then the frozen tundra of Sterling the weekend after Thanksgiving.
Hup, Hup y'all!

www.pbmcoaching.com

NoHo is this weekend!

One of my favorite courses!

VERGE Rhode Island Teazer!

Epic weather. Epic Courses. Epic competition.

Have a peak...

Gloss Star!

With 3 x Double Verge Race weekends, I am WAY behind on updates...so I will make this one SHORT!

Sat : full Nor'easter storm in effect. Super mudder = 12th place for me. Not great, but about all I had on the day.

Sun : perfect New England fall day and the BEST Gloucester course ever! I get a wicked HOLESHOT and ride in the front group for 2 laps then slip back a bit to finish 7th.

Here are some pice and a vid!

http://briandavidpierce.com/GPCX/index.html

Vid:

Gran Prix of Gloucester - A Cyclocross Film from Benjamin Eckstein on Vimeo.

Next up Providence Cross Festival!