My lengthy race report:

https://awjbikeracing.wordpress.com/2019/04/22/2019-04-21-lucarelli-castaldi-cup-report/

Yesterday was a fast and fun race in the 3/4 field. After a hard day on the mtb Saturday I wanted to race as smart as possible and be there to contend at the finish. As per usual staying up towards the front is easier said then done and I find myself drifting back more then I would like. Somewhere around the 3rd or 4th lap I decide it’s time to get back up by the front and make a move up the side and then slotting in somewhere in the top 20 wheels by the downhill. Coming past the temple the pace seems to mellow with no one wanting to pull on the front, so hey why not jump in there and do exactly what i was planning on not doing and pull the pack up the hill. About half way up the hill 2 guys shoot past me, get a couple bike lengths but I react in time and am able to catch on by the top of the hill with 1 other guy on my wheel. Now we have 4 guys all ready to work with a little bit of a gap from the group. We are working together, taking short pulls when just past the finish before the downhill there’s a fire truck coming at us! Wtf!?! I finally get into a break only to be neutralized. We get around the fire truck and get back on the gas, still with a little bit of a gap when another fire truck pulls into the park right in the middle of the downhill, total chaos and not wanting to ride in front of the truck I bunnyhop onto the grass, get around the fire truck but at this point the break is caught and all I could do was sit in and recover. From there out it was just play it smart until the finish which I did. Worked my way to the front at the end and ended up 13th. Should’ve opened up my sprint sooner but hesitated. Shoulda woulda coulda, there’s always next time. Shout out to Patrick who is a magician at working his way through the pack and finished 11th. We are right there and soon will be in the finishing in the $

Bunny hopping the curb to avoid a surprise obstacle during a road race is very Spring Classics, next thing you know you'll be starting every sentence with "for sure." "For sure it was bad luck, I had good legs, but that's cycling." 

My race report follows, but first I want to say something about registration.

We were understaffed at registration Sunday which meant that it was more stressful for those of us who worked it (initially Josh, Max and I). I asked Rob to ask people to pitch in and Ricky helped out, and then John pitchers in while I got pinned up. A secondary problem was that people showed up late and reg did not close until the race was starting which meant that Max and I were scrambling to pin his number.

First, a big thank you for those who helped out with registration.

A few requests:

* If you are are not helping out and have completed your race prep, PLEASE ask the guys at reg if they need help. Even if it is just to pitch in while they pin up

*Check to see how many people have signed up to help with registration the night before the race on the google doc sign up sheet. If the numbers are low, please consider pitching in. It will be a great help to your teammates to keep the registration flow smooth

*If you are new to the registration process or find yourself moving slower than others around you, don't be shy and ask some of the more experienced members for advice on how to speed things along. Here are a few tips I have picked up over the years:

1. Keep books facing the racers by reading the names that are printed on the side of each page
2. Ask racers for their last name and to have their licenses out as you are finishing up with the prior racer so you can find them in the book(s)
3. Move the pins off to the side so that racers don't block the next racer while they dig around for pins

The number of registered racers for the L&C Cup have been high, which means we really should have five people running registration with someone subbing in while people take a break to pin up. We had a large group of racers signed up Sunday. If most everyone helps out in a handful of races we should have plenty of hands for every race

A few comments on yesterday's race:

Most of the Cat 3-4 report has been described by others, so I only have a few thoughts to share.

First, it was cool to see teammates animating the race, in breaks like Max and Ricky or Rich, Rob and others with the KOM leadouts, and others like Eloy and Kevin patrolling the front of the field. It is just a mater of time before we can turn those engines into some coordinated success.

My sprint is mediocre, but I am good at moving up in the last lap (usually) and encourage anyone to get on my wheel for a leadout. This weekend I managed 11th, which if I am not mistaken is good enough for 5 points towards the grey (masters) jersey competition.  

Here is some unsolicited advice:

With a change from the races being Cat 4 to Cat 3-4, the field size has increased which makes moving up to the front more challenging. The races also "seem" a little faster to me than the Cat 4 races of the past, which might also explain some of our difficulty with organized leadouts. I might be imagining the last point as I have not checked my data about race speeds. 

Regardless, this means we all have to work harder to move up and stay within the first 20 or so places. The old criterium addage that "if you aren't moving up, you are moving back" seems to now apply to these PP races as well.

THEREFORE, if you want to be near the front you have to be in the top 20 or move up from wherever you are 1-2 laps BEFORE the time you want to be up front. 

The BEST places to move up are on the winding parts of the course where you can pass large groups of riders by taking the longer (but open) line while the field takes the shorter (but congested) lines. You can pass on the uphill, but that will sap energy. You can move up a few places on the downhill, but the people that I have seen going faster than the field on the downhill are usually putting themselves and the rest of the peloton at unnecessary risk. While you can be sheltered from the wind in the middle fo the field, it is usually more difficult to move up if you are not on the left or right side of the field (mind you there was plenty of times I was pinned to the left side of the field yesterday, unable to move up)

Here my onboard video of the race:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0N1IR4l8hs&feature=youtu.be

There's a sweet moment that starts around 34:45, as we are at the temple heading into the 1st KOM.

You can see Rich start it on the left, bringing Patrick to the front, Patrick stays at the front for a while (!!!), and then I take over, Rob coming to my wheel up the climb. We can get more detailed and nuanced, and I can see what I could do better, but frankly, at the 3/4 level it does not that much get better than this. 🔥

@PatrickGrehan it seems that the 3/4 field is the biggest one (110.) Any chance that Charlie can split that into a third book and then get another person working? This might help ease some of the congestion? I will not be babysitting a jr this weekend and the one after so I'll pitch in again. Plus now I don't have to wait for my borrowed jersey to show up Also maybe we can get an extra volunteer help wrangle the lines a bit? Aka point out which line is Cat 3/4 A-L etc? It seems that some people get confused which line is which as you get further away from the reg tables. This individual can also to keep reminding people to have their licenses ready?

@PatrickGrehan do you happen to have the link to purchase those sticky squares to "pin" numbers up with? You said they worked well, and  I was thinking that that might speed up getting numbers on when working reg? I for one would be keen on purchasing a bunch to have for those crunch time occasions.

^ check out the post in the deals and steals thread. It has the link and discount as well

CAT3/4 field for this Sat PP race is filling up fast

Planning on registering, but after Wednesday Night track, I might have sluggish legs. 

@AndrewJohnson sluggish legs = the opportunity to race smarter and staying out of the wind

Tactics for this weekend ;P
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8p9gALPONRs

Okay I'm in.

I'll be hungover in Puerto Rico during the L&C race this weekend. Keep the wheels down and the speed up, friends!

I emailed Charlie to use a volunteer credit for the Cat 5. I'll also be there in the morning to work registration

Its about time @Matt Budofsky! But I won’t be there as I am saving my legs for Sunday.

The craziness that was April is officially over and May is all about racing!

Hey all. Don’t forget that we need volunteers for Saturdays’s L&C race. Help the registration process go smoothly and chip in when your teammates need to pin up. Email Charlie if you want him to register you for a field. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1h68kb_QnO2NSAaAd2gradwBk12Q3uw__kjm2yTAv8Zg

Any other cat 5s racing on Saturday?

My back my back has seized up on me real bad. It’s hard to even bend over, or even put on my socks. Going to acupuncture and chiropractor today, but I’m not going to make L&C Saturday. 

1. Does someone need my spot in 3-4 field. I can transfer to you
2. Go out there and have fun
3. Help out with registration 

@PatrickGrehan sorry to hear that. My back acted up a few days ago when I carried my toddler on my shoulders. 

take good care we will miss you at the race

 Thanks Connor and Matt for volunteering! We have TEN racers signed up to race the 3-4 field. We should have a fully manned reg table and help to cover people when they need to pin up.

Charlie asked that volunteers show up at 5am! 

I'm all good to go for the 3/4 dance this weekend but I'm on the mend from a pretty nasty cold. I'm still down to fight for some KOMs but I don't think I'll be firing on all cylinders (unless you consider my nostrils to me cylinders). On the other hand, I haven't done any real intensity this week so maybe I'll be rested. Only time and the results sheet and several GoPro videos will tell. 

That said, Eloy and I chatted a bit about my role this weekend. Essentially, still gunning for the KOM sprints but I'm going to make it my prerogative to be toward the front all day. I've said that goal before, but I seem to keep drifting back after big surges in the peloton and work way too hard trying to move up after the downhill. If I can be towards the front all day, it'll ideally be less work for everyone involved and the team can save some matches. 

The second KOM, we discussed not giving me as much or any real organized support. We've been going guns-a-blazin for the sprints and I think, as a result, short-handing the final lead-out for our protected riders (Ricky and Pat). With Pat on the mend, we should get reaaaaal organized for Ricky and our finishing dudes. Ideally this way, we can do the awesome work ya'll do for me on the KOMs for the final sprint. We're right on the cusp of putting guys in the money. 

I'm sure Eloy and our fearless leaders will have some more input. Let's get this bread.

Spending my whole Friday waiting on the edge of my seat waiting for Eloy to release the plan....

Let's secure the baguette. 

@RichardCornetta  - I think the below are Speedplay compatible. 

Given that there are 10-11 guys registered in the 3-4 field, you guys should be able to get a good leadout for Rob on KOM 1, and smaller readout on KOM 2, AND help Ricky with the final. 

My recommendation based on the past couple of races are:

1. Start moving up and organizing one or two laps BEFORE you want to be near the front. (It's a large group and people are finding it harder to move up than expected)

2. Stay near the front but wait to push the pace until you get close to the climb/KOM. (last time Rich and I started way too early. While it helped string out the pack, it would have been better to do so later and bring Rob further up the hill).

3. Go out and have fun! So sorry I'm going to miss it

Im not at 100% a little fatigued and some slight annoying knee things... Still down to be in the front for a bit at the earlier laps! I wont go crazy ham like last time but drive the pace. Then I will be sucking wheels after the first 2-3 laps then go for the finish. 
Plus saving my legs for OB on Sunday.

Oh hai.

this is our team for tomorrow:

• Phillip Maronilla
• Joe Matunis
• Sean Hourigan
• Ricky Cornetta
• John Olsson
• Eloy Anzola
• Robert Mullen
• Andrew Johnson
• Richard Freeman
• Erik Pfiffner
• Kevin Man

Some quick notes and priorities for the race:

• Priority one: Read the race.
• Priority two: Communicate and adapt to what's happening
  • For example, on race 1, moves were large and dangerous enough that they could stay away, and one did. on race 3, moving up was costly, it took more than a lap, causing us to miss a prime.
• What's getting in the way of our goals? how do we overcome it.
• Priority three: Economy matters, be smart about your efforts, but also be 100% committed -- race will be 75 minutes long. Worry about fatigue and recovery AFTER the race.

Now more specific:

• Goal ONE: Get Ricky in the money.
• Goal TWO: Get Rob KOM points.

Generally, we need to do about 4 things:

• Cover moves, specially early. For this I nominate Kevin and John Olson, but we can all play. Warm up, line up front row, attack. Make this race. Who can win? help them win. 3 Stars level hotness 🔥🔥🔥
• Get Rob at the front of the 1st KOM. Richard Freeman, Andrew (who's been riding very well), myself, are in charge of Rob's needs for this, but we can all contribute. 4 Star level hotness 🔥🔥🔥🔥
• Get Rob to the front of the 2nd KOM. Andrew and Phil should be Rob's helpers this time around. 2 Star level hotness from team 🔥🔥. 6 out 5 firah hotness from Rob 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥.
  • Everyone else should be saving it and thinking it of the finish which will come about 8 minutes after the kom.
• Get Ricky in the money. All of us are in. But specially Kevin, Richard, Erik, and Sean, should be looking out for Ricky, and make sure Ricky is at the top 5ish by GAP as we crest the climb to the finish. 7 out 5 level hotness full on 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥.

Else, you know it: Counter teammates moves. Don't chase teammates. Attack when it's hard. Be safe. Be smart. Be awesome. Have fun and good luck.

Let's go race bikes!!

Sorry guys, but I think I'm going to sit this one out. I'm traveling to Europe on Sunday and I've been feeling quite lousy all week. I really don't want to race in the rain and increase the risk of something bad happening and/or getting sick right before flying out. People have been sick in my building at work, and of course they have been coming in and exposing all of us, go figure.