Our mission: to win the Sea Otter master 35+ 1/2/3 road and circuit races, and with one of those wins, get the monkey off Billy’s back.
Fort Ord Road Road Race: Thursday, April 17
Our talent: Kevin Metcalf, Billy Innes, Rob Anderson, Wyatt Weisel, and Craig Roemer.
Race course: rolled out and down Barloy Canyon Road (neutral); 8 laps on a 7.75 mile loop hilly, exposed, and windy circuit with about 500 feet of climbing per lap; and the finishing with a 1.5 mile, 800 feet of climbing out of Barloy Canyon (a total of 68 miles and 4800 feet of climbing).
From the gun, although neutral for the first 2 miles, you could tell the field was anxious to race. As soon as we hit the circuits and the first climb, Colin Cooper of Morgan Stanley attacked. He dangled off the front, slowly rolling out of sight, and then eventually gaining a 2 minute advantage. Knowing that Colin is notorious for going early and staying away, I rode excitedly at the front ready to bring him back. Billy and Kevin were not concerned. They were confident that the wind and the hills would take their toll on Colin. Going into our third lap, up the short 0.5 mile climb up Henikins Rd, Kevin and I were in a small chase group. Kevin’s incredible pace into the hill began splintering the field. As Kevin strung out the field, Billy powered through with Michael Hutchinson joining the chase. This new chase dangled perilously off the front, but no one from the main field was capable of chasing or bridging to the break. Within a lap, the new break had absorbed the early attack and was gaining time. Back in the main field, Rob and I sat-in and policed any threatening moves.
As reported from the breakaway:
Going into the finishing climb up Barloy Canyon, Billy and Michael saw Colin all by himself. Michael said something to the extent of “this does not look good...”. Actually, it was awesome for TeamSpecializedRacing. Somewhere between 2 -3 laps to go, Kevin rode away from Colin, and stayed away for a solo victory (nearly 2:30 ahead of 2nd place). Billy sprinted in for a 3rd place, and Rob and I followed in nearly 8 minutes later for 6th and 9th.
Earlier this year, Kevin kept tabs and posted updates on riders he thought would be threatening for the early 2008 races. Kevin, you over looked one viable competitor... Soloing and staying away for more than two laps on that course is an incredible feat. As stated by Michael after the race, “the best man won today”. Congratulations and Happy Birthday!
Thanks to all of our sponsors. Your support has helped us assemble a selfless, eager, and competent racing team. This has been a great season, and I’m proud to be part of this team.
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