More pics from Battenkill

No need for a caption here

Source: http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-of-the-battenkill-2012/elite-women/photos/218193


Towards the end - Veronique Fortin, Canadian Champion, is setting the pace


Source: http://www.dailygazette.com/photos/galleries/2012/apr/14/tour-battenkill-20122/14966/



Bunch sprint of the chase group (I am sprinting on the left)

Source: http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-of-the-battenkill-2012/elite-women/photos/218203

Battenkill 2012

Battenkill is my absolute favorite race. It was my favorite race last year with the Cat 3 field and Lindsay; it is this year with thePro/1/2 and Ky.

The atmosphere is fantastic with over 2,000 racers pilgrimaging to Cambridge, NY. You run into racers everywhere even in the small hotel over in Vermont where we stayed; most guests were here for the battle.

In addition to an outstanding atmosphere the race itself is absolutely epic. The steep climbs and the dirt makes the race very unique. Since it hasn't rained in a while, the dirt was dusty but smooth.

In both years I've raced, I learned that it's not so much one attack that brings up the winner of the race but rather the consistent drain of energy with each of the 10 dirt sections and with each hill.
It's like a frog sitting in a pot of cold water. It won't jump out of the pot if the water temperature changes ever so slightly until it is too late that it's cooking. Well, I was cooked with 15 miles to go when a small group rode away at the second to last dirt section.

I found myself in a chase group that grew bigger and bigger since we rode slower and slower. Once over the last climb, there was no terrain feature that could have dropped racers so we were rolling at around 15 mph to the finish line. I was sitting somewhere in the front of the group and sprinted for 12th.


Ky and I before the race....

...during the race...

...Ky and I after the race

The finish of our chase group is here.


Results are posted here.

Jeff Cup and races ahead

After racing a few races with the Cat 3 guys in the South, a very brutal race on the West Coast and some morning pathathlons on the way to work, I was looking forward to race in MABRA land again. I was very excited to race with Lindsay. Our new teammate, Ky, was unfortunately out of town.

The plan was to get Lindsay the pro qualifier for Nature Valley Grand Prix. After some super sloooow laps, some chasing, some neutralizing, and some more chasing, Lindsay crossed second the line and since the winner will not race Nature Valley, Lindsay is going! I am very proud of her! Congratulations!

I will cheer Lindsay on from Germany. While she will kick ass in Minnesota, I will race with a German team called Team Stuttgart for a month. This is my very first time racing in Europe. The only advantage I might have over my fellow American racers is that I understand what my competition will yell at me and I am not so sure if that’s an advantage. I hear it’s very aggressive racing on narrow cobble roads with constant attacking.

Until then, I am looking forward to race with my teammates along the East Coast.