Race Report July 25

[Chris Helwig]

Westhaven Triumphs as Streak Ends

First let me say that this report will require some pretty major gaps filled in. Tonight was not my night and I was literally on the rivot all night so my views were highly clouded in a lactic acid haze. Having said that here is my report:

The race started pretty fast with Julio and then Carlos doing some early pace making. A few attacks went up the road and I believe Forsdike, Kees and Mathew Townsend for some of the first off the front. They were joined by Tony, Craig Browne and another Westhaven rider. The gap hoovered around 15 seconds with Graydon and Brandon Throop doing a fair amount of work. The gap closed down as Julio did some big pulls to bring things close. Still the break survived as junior track star Vince De Jong did a strong bridge to get across as did the ever improving Brandon Throop. As the break dangled Mathew had come back to the group and he rode up beside me and asked me if we wanted the break back. I said sure and next thing I know he is doing a monster 3 lap pull that brought the break 3/4 of the way back. Somewhere in there I think I saw Brownie attack the break as it seemed to break into a couple groups. It all came back together but eventually the pack caught. At this point I was foaming chocolate hammer gel which Carlos thought was blood, but I was hurting so much I had to check. The counters came fast and furious as Charlie who had been conspicously absent launched some attacks as did Julio, Carlos and I am sure Graydon and Brownie. The pace stayed pretty high with some solo moves by Forsdike and a couple others but it all seemed to be coming together for a sprint. With 5 to go Westhaven put most of there team on the front for the leadout. They set a fast pace but with 2.5 to go it started to come a bit unglued as near the end it looked like only Forsdike was left to lead out Charlie. I was trying to play cool sitting on Graydons wheel as he slowly moved his way up. On the backside I started the sprint very early and faded as Julio, Charlie, Graydon, Tony and a few others came by me before the last corner. Julio came around first and held on for a well deserved win. I think it was Charlie in second in a photo finish with Graydon 3rd, Brownie 4th and Tony 5th.

My E load Stars are

Julio - Did a lot of work and takes the sprint
Charlie - Not quite as active as usualy but there when he had to be and a good sprint
Graydon - strong and a good sprint
Tony - In break and always active
Kees - Strong as usual
Brandon Throop - This kid is impressive
Vince De Jong - strong bridge and very active
Brownie - Strong and aggressive.
Forsdike - Stong and good leadout at the end.
Mathew Townsend - Monster Pull to bring break back.

[the Superstar]

A steady if not spectacular start to the race lasted for about 4 laps. To me it seemed like the board numbers got flipped every two laps but who knows? The race got started in earnest with a Craig Browne attack. OK by now you had to be expecting that. He got an instant gap as no one in the pack reacted, then Forsdike went after him with one other guy, I can't remember who, and I went after them and it was four of us. After circulating for lap after lap our ranks started to swell until we had Brownie, Mike, Brandon, Fred, Tony, Kees and Dean. Lap after lap we stayed out and then the pack started to close in, which is when Brownie refused to give in and attacked us (just as I was finishing a huge pull - coincidence? hmmm...). That blew apart the break, me and Mike and Fred I think were chasing Brownie for 2 or 3 laps, with the others behind until it finally came together again in a group of seven. We stayed that way until about 24 laps to go or thereabouts, when old man Squires came whistling past us with Graydon and some other welcome horsepower and for a half lap that looked good but the bunch was right there. So the last 20 laps or so were a slow, cagey jockey for the sprint. A few small moves were tried but it all came down to a field sprint. Carlos made quite a few healthy accelerations but I think he has had too much time off to come back so quickly - maybe by next week he will be back to full power. Chris made his usual move a little early which looked like a great wheel for me to take but then he unexpectedly ran out of steam just after the second last corner, at which point Julio, Charlie and Graydon seemed to have the good set up for the last corner and it finished with Julio unintentionally putting Charlie into the gutter, Charlie/Graydon, Brownie and Tony finishing out the points. My eload stars is a short list (I didn't see the chase action so I can't comment):

Craig Browne - attacks early to create the only break of any consequence, stays away working hard, attacks the break and rides solo for a while, then still gets a decent sprint in.

Most spectacular buzz - Mike Thornton whizzing into me during the last few laps. Speed differential about 20km/h, contact, no crash but I made it to about grade 4 as my life passed before my eyes.

[Brownie]

Tony,
You should be on your eload list for keepin the break goin and organized.