Joseph Mendes Crit-Pleasanton Report 35+/45+ 1/2/3

So I had my worst finish ever at a race, not counting the DNF's for flats at Santa Cruz, but still had a bunch of fun. The course is a standard office park crit triple F (flat, fast and four corner). The streets were wide and pavement was good. Sun was supposed to be out, but that was the one disappointment. It was windy and fairly cold.

I did two races, first race was the 45+ 1/2/3 race. Had 49 racers and two teammates; Steve Stewart and Devon. This race was a bit of a mess. I guess two guys went off the front early. I had no idea. There were six or so SJBC racers in the race with some of their better racers present. I figured if I kept an eye on them and jumped on any breaks that included them, I would be safe. I figured wrong. Devon and I stayed at the front of the pack most of this race. I jumped on a few break attempts that had SJBC riders in them. Nothing stuck. Final lap I heard the announcer say the "break had 55 seconds on the field". What the heck? I asked a rider next to me and he confirmed guys were gone. Guess we were doing a field sprint for third place. Now that sucks. Anyway, race got fast last lap and guys got skittish. A bit of argy bargy (love that term) going on. I was about in sixth position and Devon was on my right. I think Steve was tucked in mid pack. I heard the sound of metal on metal and then metal on concrete and knew a crash happened just behind me. Can't look at those speeds. Took another turn and then on the back side of the course I heard the sound of broken glass and then the familiar and scary crash sound again. Seems like a guys wheel exploded (guessing a pedal went into his spokes). Not sure why the crashes, both took place on the straight away.

By this point I was about 18 riders back and a gap formed on the last straight before the final turn and finish. I went hard to the outside to close the gap and did so just before the final turn. Not much left to sprint for and crossed the line in 14th (12th in the pack sprint).

I had a feeling Devon might have been in one of the crashes when I did not see him around me or in front of me on the cool down lap. Devon is a great sprinter and would have been near the front, so not seeing him I figured it was not good news. I did see him afterward up and walking with no broken bones. He had some road rash on his leg. Steve finished mid pack as well in 20th.

Next race was the 35+ 1/2/3. This was a big field of over 70 riders. CoreTechs had five riders in this field (Steve Stewart, Scott Fairman, Christian and John Wilde) I figured since this was my second race of the day I would try and do a few breaks and if nothing worked either sit in or possibly come off the back.

The race started very fast from the whistle. A few guys went for breaks and I jumped on them and sat on them. Each time the field brought us back quickly. I actually felt pretty good this race. About five laps to go Duane from Thirsty Bear team (guy who beat me by a photo finish in Monterey for 1st place) went for a break. I jumped on him and he got a bit of a gap. Honestly, it took all I had to just stay on him. It really hurt. We kept our gap for about half or three quarters of a lap, but the field was having none of it. All back together the last lap and the pace went up three or four notches. I had nothing left for a sprint and just sat in the pack and rolled across the finish for a glorious 30th place out of the 73 riders. Steve finished just in front of me in the pack at 27th and I think the other guys rolled across at the back of that pack as well. Was fun to have the team around. Afterward we hung out a bit (drank a beer-thanks Steve!) and watched some of the next race.

Lessons learned this day. Be aware if someone is off the fricken front! See you out there.

Andrew