Sunday, April 23, 2006
3rd Place 35+ GP Adelphia, Plymouth MA
Well boys...there's good news and then there is bad.
I picked up 3rd but I burned Don Mills from Fiorda Fruitta to do it.
He's rather pissed but, maybe someday he'll get over it. Here's the story:
It looks like Turtle Pond and rain chased most of the entrants away. I think we might have had 30 starters...but a few big names. It looked like it would be a battle between MRC and Bike Link. MRC had like 6 guys and Bike Link had 4 or 5.
SpinArts had a few guys, Tom Stevens, Paul Curly...another guy.
I was looking mostly at MRC, Coleman O'conner (Bike Link) or Don Mills to be the ones to watch. Kyle Gates looked like he might have a chance and I've been beat in plenty of sprints by Curley.
The thing was, lots of guys raced 45+ already...Stevens, Curly and O'Conner. Coleman went real hard in the 45+ so I was figuring he might be sapped. Stevens said he was palpatating and even if he wasn't...the hill eventually can sap you.
So much for that thinking.
Things started out pretty normal. MRC had this train thing going like they were setting tempo, so I figured they might launch a guy. I didn't want to miss it because there isn't much of a pack to bring things back.
They go pretty hard, I jump on it. Then it eases up. Then, like always, 2 guys blast up the right side...I'm boxed in and they let them go. It happens to be Coleman and Mosher?...I think. So I'm thinking, well...that's the end of the race. Coleman can probably do it on his own, never mind with help from his own teammate.
The responsibility falls on MRC since they have six guys. They sorta pull, then they sorta stop. I really couldn't tell if they were trying to bring it back or get one of their guys to bridge. After about a lap, we can't even see Coleman so I'm thinking...well...that's it for first and second.
Kyle Gates does a good push up the hill...SpinArts tries to help out...the two remaining Bike Link guys block...then Mills takes a real good attack. I'm not really in the best position to respond but I figure that's the end of the race if I don't so I bury myself to bridge up to him and the wiley Curly. Curly and I immediately back off and let Mills pull and you can see the field pounding hard.
So then I'm thinking, that's real great that MRC can ride real hard to pull back Don but they aren't going to reel in Coleman. WTF!!!!
I stay near the front for a little bit to see if MRC counters...and they try but it doesn't amount to crap.
So then I just resign things to be a crappy race where there are only about 15-20 guys left that are throwing in the towel. Then I remember that Don is around somewhere...sure enough...in the very back. I slide back knowing MRC ain't gonna get their sh*t together, SpinArts is tired from previous races and Mills is the only guy that can probably bridge.
Sure enough...he starts wiggling from the back just before the hill past the Start/Finish. I keep his wheel close and he steps on the gas from the bottom of the climb.
I hold his wheel OK but there are 5 laps to go...5 climbs...12.5 miles and I'm thinking...he's Don Mills...I'm Matt Domnarski. He's going to drop my (posterior)and I won't end up with (diddly).
We turn the corner into the wind and right away he's flicking the elbow. I just say...Sorry...I can't do it. I'm also figuring he's got a tall order to pull those two back in. If he's really going to do it, I'll need everything I have to hold his wheel.
He's riding hard but not killing me. I don't know how fatigue will figure in but I figure I'm good for fourth. He flicks the elbow again and I just say, hey...I can't do it. I'll take fourth.
So...to shorten the story...we end up out of sight...he tows my ass around and we can start to see Coleman but there are only three laps left and I'm thinking....there ain't no way. Plus...what's he got left?
Next lap...same gap...and now I can see Don starting to rest here and there. He's not really taking the downhill curve very well and every time he hits the brakes it sounds like he's scalding a cat. I'm thinking...man...what are you using your brakes for? I was able to take it at full speed from the less beat up pavement on the inside. He's taking the wide line and he still keeps hitting the brakes. Whatever...he used to be the Pro...not me.
So...maybe I can gun it through the corner and take third...but that's a long way to go and he'll probably gun me down just because he'll be pissed.
Last lap and the bargaining begins. "So you get 4th right? You are good for your word?" I say to him, "How about you give me third and you can have all the prize money?"
"No...I towed you for 5 laps. You are going to take 4th and I'm going to be third."
I just say..."yeah".
He eases up here and there but we are in no man's land. Just before the last rise I wind up the 53-12 and blast by him while he starts screaming, "You BasTARRRRRRRRRRRRD!!!!"
Well...I got third. Not the way I wanted to do it but I'll take it.
I wait for him and he chases me down...so I get off the bike quick before he yanks me to the ground. Then he gets right in my face with his finger and I'm thinking...here we go. I think he's going to hit me. But he doesn't. Maybe because I looked him in the eye...but I've seen that look a million times as a Trooper at many a domestic and was surprised he didn't.
He's spouting off...I had your word! I can't f-ing believe you!!! yada yada.
I said...Hey...I'm sorry but that was the only way I was going to get third today. If I was fifth I'd give you fourth, but not a podium spot.
He goes on that we could have caught them...so I just said, " No WE couldn't. I would have towed you up for the win and ended up fourth. If you want to blame someone, blame MRC, or jump earlier next time...or better yet, you should have shook me on the climb. Its not the way I want to win, but you are a lot better than me. This is the best I can do...you can still have the prize money if you want it.
Don goes...your name is (cocka)! You'll be a marked man all season. I reply, "Go ahead...that's why I took third. You'll be lucky to see me up there in most races. Even with my cheap third you'll still end up with more wins than me.
So Don starts riding away and says he doesn't want my money. I say, suit yourself. He must have thought of something new to say so he comes back while I'm loading up the car because its 1:55 and I have to make it to work in Chicopee for 3pm. I've got a 2 hour ride to do in one hour. He rolls up and says...Why don't you go home and tell your wife tonight that you are not a man!
I just said, "My wife doesn't even like bike racing. Sorry...I'll see you later. That's racing. Take the money, you earned it.".
As I booted out of there...I could see him rolling around the parking lot to anyone who will listen
Now...it wasn't quite as satisfying as Ted's win over McKone...but this old dog will take it. I'm probably done after 2008 anyway...but I can guarantee you I won't be getting any offers from the Fiorda boys!
Matt
I picked up 3rd but I burned Don Mills from Fiorda Fruitta to do it.
He's rather pissed but, maybe someday he'll get over it. Here's the story:
It looks like Turtle Pond and rain chased most of the entrants away. I think we might have had 30 starters...but a few big names. It looked like it would be a battle between MRC and Bike Link. MRC had like 6 guys and Bike Link had 4 or 5.
SpinArts had a few guys, Tom Stevens, Paul Curly...another guy.
I was looking mostly at MRC, Coleman O'conner (Bike Link) or Don Mills to be the ones to watch. Kyle Gates looked like he might have a chance and I've been beat in plenty of sprints by Curley.
The thing was, lots of guys raced 45+ already...Stevens, Curly and O'Conner. Coleman went real hard in the 45+ so I was figuring he might be sapped. Stevens said he was palpatating and even if he wasn't...the hill eventually can sap you.
So much for that thinking.
Things started out pretty normal. MRC had this train thing going like they were setting tempo, so I figured they might launch a guy. I didn't want to miss it because there isn't much of a pack to bring things back.
They go pretty hard, I jump on it. Then it eases up. Then, like always, 2 guys blast up the right side...I'm boxed in and they let them go. It happens to be Coleman and Mosher?...I think. So I'm thinking, well...that's the end of the race. Coleman can probably do it on his own, never mind with help from his own teammate.
The responsibility falls on MRC since they have six guys. They sorta pull, then they sorta stop. I really couldn't tell if they were trying to bring it back or get one of their guys to bridge. After about a lap, we can't even see Coleman so I'm thinking...well...that's it for first and second.
Kyle Gates does a good push up the hill...SpinArts tries to help out...the two remaining Bike Link guys block...then Mills takes a real good attack. I'm not really in the best position to respond but I figure that's the end of the race if I don't so I bury myself to bridge up to him and the wiley Curly. Curly and I immediately back off and let Mills pull and you can see the field pounding hard.
So then I'm thinking, that's real great that MRC can ride real hard to pull back Don but they aren't going to reel in Coleman. WTF!!!!
I stay near the front for a little bit to see if MRC counters...and they try but it doesn't amount to crap.
So then I just resign things to be a crappy race where there are only about 15-20 guys left that are throwing in the towel. Then I remember that Don is around somewhere...sure enough...in the very back. I slide back knowing MRC ain't gonna get their sh*t together, SpinArts is tired from previous races and Mills is the only guy that can probably bridge.
Sure enough...he starts wiggling from the back just before the hill past the Start/Finish. I keep his wheel close and he steps on the gas from the bottom of the climb.
I hold his wheel OK but there are 5 laps to go...5 climbs...12.5 miles and I'm thinking...he's Don Mills...I'm Matt Domnarski. He's going to drop my (posterior)and I won't end up with (diddly).
We turn the corner into the wind and right away he's flicking the elbow. I just say...Sorry...I can't do it. I'm also figuring he's got a tall order to pull those two back in. If he's really going to do it, I'll need everything I have to hold his wheel.
He's riding hard but not killing me. I don't know how fatigue will figure in but I figure I'm good for fourth. He flicks the elbow again and I just say, hey...I can't do it. I'll take fourth.
So...to shorten the story...we end up out of sight...he tows my ass around and we can start to see Coleman but there are only three laps left and I'm thinking....there ain't no way. Plus...what's he got left?
Next lap...same gap...and now I can see Don starting to rest here and there. He's not really taking the downhill curve very well and every time he hits the brakes it sounds like he's scalding a cat. I'm thinking...man...what are you using your brakes for? I was able to take it at full speed from the less beat up pavement on the inside. He's taking the wide line and he still keeps hitting the brakes. Whatever...he used to be the Pro...not me.
So...maybe I can gun it through the corner and take third...but that's a long way to go and he'll probably gun me down just because he'll be pissed.
Last lap and the bargaining begins. "So you get 4th right? You are good for your word?" I say to him, "How about you give me third and you can have all the prize money?"
"No...I towed you for 5 laps. You are going to take 4th and I'm going to be third."
I just say..."yeah".
He eases up here and there but we are in no man's land. Just before the last rise I wind up the 53-12 and blast by him while he starts screaming, "You BasTARRRRRRRRRRRRD!!!!"
Well...I got third. Not the way I wanted to do it but I'll take it.
I wait for him and he chases me down...so I get off the bike quick before he yanks me to the ground. Then he gets right in my face with his finger and I'm thinking...here we go. I think he's going to hit me. But he doesn't. Maybe because I looked him in the eye...but I've seen that look a million times as a Trooper at many a domestic and was surprised he didn't.
He's spouting off...I had your word! I can't f-ing believe you!!! yada yada.
I said...Hey...I'm sorry but that was the only way I was going to get third today. If I was fifth I'd give you fourth, but not a podium spot.
He goes on that we could have caught them...so I just said, " No WE couldn't. I would have towed you up for the win and ended up fourth. If you want to blame someone, blame MRC, or jump earlier next time...or better yet, you should have shook me on the climb. Its not the way I want to win, but you are a lot better than me. This is the best I can do...you can still have the prize money if you want it.
Don goes...your name is (cocka)! You'll be a marked man all season. I reply, "Go ahead...that's why I took third. You'll be lucky to see me up there in most races. Even with my cheap third you'll still end up with more wins than me.
So Don starts riding away and says he doesn't want my money. I say, suit yourself. He must have thought of something new to say so he comes back while I'm loading up the car because its 1:55 and I have to make it to work in Chicopee for 3pm. I've got a 2 hour ride to do in one hour. He rolls up and says...Why don't you go home and tell your wife tonight that you are not a man!
I just said, "My wife doesn't even like bike racing. Sorry...I'll see you later. That's racing. Take the money, you earned it.".
As I booted out of there...I could see him rolling around the parking lot to anyone who will listen
Now...it wasn't quite as satisfying as Ted's win over McKone...but this old dog will take it. I'm probably done after 2008 anyway...but I can guarantee you I won't be getting any offers from the Fiorda boys!
Matt
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