Edgar Soto Memorial Cycling Classic - Day 1

Today was the 18k time trial. It is the 17/18's qualifier for the world championships. The race started at the bottom of an on-ramp with a uphill right hand turn about 100ft. from the start. The course then went up hill most of the first half of the race with a downhill in the middle. At half way we went through a parking lot and did a turn around. The way back was mostly downhill, except for two rollers. The first one went up and went flat and went up again. After the last roller there was a fast left hand turn followed by a even faster right hand turn and then about 200m to the finish.

Marcus, was the first to go off at 4:23 with David at 4:25, myself at 4:28, Joel at 4:45 and Charlie at 4:59. All of us pre-rode the course earlier in the morning, which helped decide how to pace myself. What was tricky was the way back being mostly downhill. My dad and I decided that I should start out at 300 watts, and then go up to 350 and after that all out. Once that was finalized, what worried me were the two people behind me. Matt Lipscomb was the person after me (1 minute starting intervals) and behind him was Ben Gabardi who dominated nationals as a 13/14 year old and Matt was 8th in the TT at nationals last year. On the way out I was able to pass my minute man, but I did not see anyone in front of me until the turnaround, where I also saw Matt Lipscomb, a bit close to catching me. He ended up passing me on the last roller before the finish. I could not keep at his pace going over the hill, but I was able to close the small gap a bit on the decent that followed, but the finish was to close and I finished right behind him. Matt won the 15/16s with a time of 26 min. 2nd went to Ben with a time of 26:30 and 3rd went to Jack Funk with a time of 26:58 and myself 4th with a time of 27:01. David and Marcus finished 9th and 10th with times of 28:13 and 28:31. Charlie flew with a time of 24:26 and Joel put in a fast time too of 27:13.

Tomorrow: 55.3 mi road race for the 15/16 and a 76.75 mi road race for the 17/18. Photos coming soon.