TNWC #5

After the neutral lap tonight I went to the front and did a short hard effort to get things started then Brian B. did a lap and when I looked back we had a huge gap. Everyone just let us ride away. Cool. The break started with 5 of us, then 4, then 3, then it was Nick and I riding so others would have to chase us. I didn't think the break really had much of a chance...we weren't exactly drilling it. But it was a good 25 minute interval.

Once caught I chilled for a bit then followed a couple attacks, attacked a couple of times then just settled in for the sprint. Austin was away late and I thought a counter once he was caught would be good (I was trying to talk big Matt into launching me) but instead I ended up just looking around for Derek's wheel, found it and sat there. Around here if you want to win a field sprint you've GOT to be on Derek's wheel. He's an ex track national champ and 100% fast twitch. A pure sprinter.

Derek gave me a super smooth lead out from turn 4 and I jumped at 50m, gave it a go...but came up half a wheel short and got 2nd. The officials noted that since he showed up to the crit 20min late--he's officially relegated and I'm awarded the win. I'd still like to beat him ONCE in a sprint.

I felt like total crap all day and riding out to the course but once the race started I felt great. Still coughing...