Today I raced the Cat. 3 in the Lakeland State Crit.  The course has a long hill on the front straight to the finish with a fast downhill on the backside.  It wasn’t as hot as it had been due to the cloudy sky.  The Cat. 3 field consisted of about 40 racers.  I started the race in the second row, quickly moving up near the front and remained in the top 15 the entire race which I’m very happy about.  There were many attacks during the race, mainly occurring on the uphill.  One attack went, I tried to go but just couldn’t seem to jump with it, staying in the pack.  That break of 4 succeeded to the finish and I remained near the front of the pack.  With bell lap to go I was about 7th wheel.  Then there was a charge up the right and left sides on the downhill.  I got pushed back a little bit but remained in ok position.  The sprint started from the base of the hill and I went all out and finishing 9th in the field, and lucky 13thoverall.  I’m very pleased with this race more to do with my tactics and positioning during the race.

No races for me until I leave for the USA Cycling Southeast Development Camp in Greenville, SC right after schools ends June 7.  I will be at the camp for the week and then I’m off to Kentucky for the Tour of Red River Gorge, the 2nd largest race to Nationals as I hear.

Craig