PSIMET riders Jeannie Kuhajek and Warrick Spence headed south over the weekend to race the Urbana Grand Prix, organized by Scarlet Fire Racing. Urbana GP features a 1.6 mile windy, rolly course around picturesque Crystal Lake Park in Urbana IL with a punchy power climb heading into the start/finish. Jeannie and Warrick arrived in Chicago from New Zealand less than two weeks ago. Fresh to the US crit scene, Warrick had his first go at a multiple race day.
Warrick’s Race Report
Urbana Grand Prix was my first chance to try out my new PSIMET wheels, as well as have a go at racing multiple races in one day. My plan was take it easy in the Masters 123 race, and then go hard in Pro123. Well, that plan went out the window on lap two of the Masters race. I followed an attack, thinking it best to be near the front of the race. We quickly established a sizable gap to the field in a two rider break. Soon I found I was spending a long time on the front, with maybe a 20 meter pull from my breakaway companion each lap. I put some effort into encouraging him to do a turn, which he did, but he then promptly sat up, leaving me with more than half the race distance to cover on my own. I considered sitting up but then decided to just keep riding one lap at a time. I was very glad to get time checks from Team Mack rider Gary Doering. With two laps remaining I upped my pace coming in for my first win in America. Yay!
After a quick podium celebration, I did my best to recover and prep myself for the Pro123 an hour later. I made sure I drank plenty of electrolytes and ate what turned out to be way too much food. Three cookies and a couple of bars left me feeling a wee bit in the middle of the next race.
The Pro123 was a much larger field with lots of young, strong looking riders and multiple teams. The race started fast (30 mph) but felt easier than the Masters123, with the large field for draft and the high speed providing momentum up the hill. Ignoring protests from my sore legs, I positioned towards the front. About 10 minutes into the 70 minute race, attacks started. The field strung out and a group of three riders separated from the field. The field splintered as chase groups formed. Putting in a huge effort (and nearly repeating all the food I had just eaten), I managed to bridge to the front chase group. I sat on for a while to recover from the effort then started rotating with the other four riders in pursuit of the three up the road.
With about 15 minutes left in the race, two strong Bissel riders joined us, interfering with our rotations to protect their two teammates up the road. The last nine laps I was really starting to fade. With two laps to go everyone started looking at each other. I just wanted to get the race over so I attacked. Another rider countered and I was completely maxed out. In the final sprint up the hill, my legs were empty, about to cramp, and me dry and out of drink. I hung on for 10th place. Phew!
I got in some great training, learnt a bit about food intake between races, and figured out that I am better off saving my legs for the bigger race as I am a racer and will race hard in any race I am put into. Thanks to Scarlet Fire for putting on a great event, Gary Doering for organising a place to stay on a Friday night with Mike and Lori Ozment, Mike and Lori for excellent accommodation, Jeannie for all the driving and support, and PSIMET for the wheels and team kit. Looking forward to Fox River Omnium.Tuesday, 16 May 2017
Urbana Grand Prix back to back racing
PSIMET riders Jeannie Kuhajek and Warrick Spence headed south over the weekend to race the Urbana Grand Prix, organized by Scarlet Fire Racing. Urbana GP features a 1.6 mile windy, rolly course around picturesque Crystal Lake Park in Urbana IL with a punchy power climb heading into the start/finish. Jeannie and Warrick arrived in Chicago from New Zealand less than two weeks ago. Fresh to the US crit scene, Warrick had his first go at a multiple race day.
Warrick’s Race Report
Urbana Grand Prix was my first chance to try out my new PSIMET wheels, as well as have a go at racing multiple races in one day. My plan was take it easy in the Masters 123 race, and then go hard in Pro123. Well, that plan went out the window on lap two of the Masters race. I followed an attack, thinking it best to be near the front of the race. We quickly established a sizable gap to the field in a two rider break. Soon I found I was spending a long time on the front, with maybe a 20 meter pull from my breakaway companion each lap. I put some effort into encouraging him to do a turn, which he did, but he then promptly sat up, leaving me with more than half the race distance to cover on my own. I considered sitting up but then decided to just keep riding one lap at a time. I was very glad to get time checks from Team Mack rider Gary Doering. With two laps remaining I upped my pace coming in for my first win in America. Yay!
After a quick podium celebration, I did my best to recover and prep myself for the Pro123 an hour later. I made sure I drank plenty of electrolytes and ate what turned out to be way too much food. Three cookies and a couple of bars left me feeling a wee bit in the middle of the next race.
The Pro123 was a much larger field with lots of young, strong looking riders and multiple teams. The race started fast (30 mph) but felt easier than the Masters123, with the large field for draft and the high speed providing momentum up the hill. Ignoring protests from my sore legs, I positioned towards the front. About 10 minutes into the 70 minute race, attacks started. The field strung out and a group of three riders separated from the field. The field splintered as chase groups formed. Putting in a huge effort (and nearly repeating all the food I had just eaten), I managed to bridge to the front chase group. I sat on for a while to recover from the effort then started rotating with the other four riders in pursuit of the three up the road.
With about 15 minutes left in the race, two strong Bissel riders joined us, interfering with our rotations to protect their two teammates up the road. The last nine laps I was really starting to fade. With two laps to go everyone started looking at each other. I just wanted to get the race over so I attacked. Another rider countered and I was completely maxed out. In the final sprint up the hill, my legs were empty, about to cramp, and me dry and out of drink. I hung on for 10th place. Phew!
I got in some great training, learnt a bit about food intake between races, and figured out that I am better off saving my legs for the bigger race as I am a racer and will race hard in any race I am put into. Thanks to Scarlet Fire for putting on a great event, Gary Doering for organising a place to stay on a Friday night with Mike and Lori Ozment, Mike and Lori for excellent accommodation, Jeannie for all the driving and support, and PSIMET for the wheels and team kit. Looking forward to Fox River Omnium.
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