Sunday, June 03, 2007

NJ State Road Race Championship

Today went well for the Rutgers crew.

In the 4 race, Rutgers was well-represented by Will P., Dave, Rich, Chris, and I. Rutgers did a phenomenal job of riding at the front and helping to control the race. Even after 56 miles, the boys rode incredibly strong.

With a few miles remaining in the race, the pack was noticeably nervous. The pace dropped, and we all sort of waited for the hammer to fall. Ralf from Westwood rolled away, but it didn't stick. The Rutgers gang was anxious to wind it up, but we decided to wait until one of the bigger teams came to the front to get the party started.

The finishing straight for the RR is long, wide, and slightly uphill. We came into the finishing straight with all five of our guys in the top 10. As the sprint started to wind up, the field got a little crazy. Chris, Will, Rich, and I were all boxed and couldn't seem to get out. A Princeton rider drove it hard to the left of the field just as I wiggled my way out of the field and opened up the sprint. The Princeton rider took the win. I came charging up the left to just miss riders from Liberty and Westwood for 2nd and 3rd. I finished 4th, Will finished 5th hot on my wheel. Chris finished 12th. Rich and Dave both finished in the top 25.

Well done!