reposting

Word has it Ricky suddenly got "civility" when Christian rolled by. Big props to the Kaiser for a timely intervention.

I totally support a formal avenue of protest to Charlie (and the police) on this. I have no interest in racing in a series that tolerates that kind of behavior.

Race Report

Our plan going in was to basically have our cake and eat it too.

We were going to lead out for the KOM and the Green Jersey, send the Yellow up the road for a late attack (ala last week) and launch a devastating counter with Ryan and I combined and lead out the Kaiser if it came to a field sprint.

Morning dawned and it was FREEZING. Everybody was hopping around shivering pinning on numbers and bitching about the almost-May temperatures.

We rolled out pianissimo and I quickly found the Battenkill champ; we was up for something later in the race but we never really saw him again.

Kaiser was hot on my wheel going up the first hill and those gorgeous 808's were going k-LONK, k-LONK as he switched gears. I figured it wasn't going to be hard to hear him on my wheel later on

The first Preme (green) was announced and a group of 3 somehow got away. I could see Yacks & Dan (our two green sprinters) looking distraught; but our squad wasn't as large as we'd expected so there was nobody at the front to do any work. I fretted and eventually got to the front and tried to find a pace that would help close the gap but not burn me out for the late race dynoMITE that we'd planned.

By the bottom of the hill we'd closed significantly and thank HEAVENS Jim was right on my wheel. I moved aside and Jim took our guys right up the lead three and (was Owens in there too?) Dan SMOKED that sprint. I caught up with him by the beginning of the uphill and he was still gasping, but looking as happy as could be.

What a great start.

Same drill for the first KOM; I found Tito sitting on the right of the pack and said, "come with me" and ferried him up to the front where our only locomotive was Owens. We were still too far to go for one man, even one with Owens' extensive charm. I rolled up next to him and said, "Do it for Leroy!" and we started a 2 man leadout. I got them (I think?) most of the way to the finishing stretch and asked Owens if he could take if the rest - I saw the Polka dot leader following but didn't really see the fireworks themselves. Later learned we had just missed the points on that one.

Later I found Ryan and we chatted a bit; Dave was still good for his 3-to-go attack and we'd counter it if it came back.

Overall thus far it had been a very "easy" race.

Dave attacked on cue and GOT AWAY with one other guy. Ryan and I just looked at each other in shock. Did that really just happen? Did the field let the Yellow Jersey (who rode solo to win last week) ride away *again* with 3 to go?

"Who taught these guys how to race?!?" Ryan asked. I think he was actually upset that there could be that level of ignorance on two wheels.

I just shook my head. We continued to block and sit in guided by Ryan's direction. Jeff Condon did some superb work keeping things in control and it looked for a while like Dave was going to get away with it again.

With less than 1 to go at the top of the hill we had caught Dave and were getting ready for operation Two Man Thunder. Ryan and I had found each other and he cautioned me "not from the front" so we slid quietly back a few places waiting, waiting...

(to be continued)

(continued)

I kept cocking my head listening for Ryan's word until finally, "Now! Do it!" he whispered fiercely.

I blasted. 600 watts for 30 seconds then 500 for another 30, Ryan came around and we had a pretty big gap. "Fucking eh!" I thought. We took turns for another couple of minutes until I pulled off one last time and the pack was right there. We were caught. What the fuck?!?

I sat up and slid back to about 20th and started calculating. I stayed near the front on the downhill (mostly out of fear) and after the bend at the bottom of the hill I saw Yaks in green and figured it was time for some ferryman action, "come with me" I said and started driving him up to the front. Soon we passed Dave in yellow and he hopped on too.

CONVOY! I put the hammer down and started my amateur Tony Martin act. Head low, realax, head low, relax, keep it smooth... we were on the front and Yak was hollering "we're all here!" and "get me to the lights!"

"The lights?" Oh god my legs hurt so much, the lights are so far, too far! But I kept hammering. I was probably 20 seconds from the lights when I heard Yaks yell, "now!" so I pulled off on the right and tried to watch the fireworks.

I was dead last across the line.

Tale of the tape:

Final 10 minutes was 345 normalized.
Final 6 minutes almost 380 normalized.

Race analysis (which I think is more interesting) in a little bit.

I witnessed the entire prolonged meltdown and will gladly verify the threats. I mean, as if the threats weren't dumb enough, then he goes and says THATS A THREAT. It's like as if I were cursing at you, and then followed with my own color commentary, describing my cursing by saying, I'M CURSING AT YOU! What an idiot.

I just typed a POST TO THE FORUM!

I probably didn't take it seriously bc it was so ludicrous, but Jules is right. Cycling is dangerous enough, and when someone with a propensity to lose control of their anger issues is saying they'll do something violent in a race, it shouldn't be ignored. I don't wanna increase the drama, so maybe someone can talk to him and find out why he went insane. But maybe that's just naive. I don't know the guy at all.

I'll back you up. I'm good at signing petitions.

And yes, Christian > Ricky.

I bet if you approached him with the right tone at the next race, you'd be besties again. This is my own shit, but I'm gonna say it anyway -- you do not want the NYPD involved in your life in any respect. They are not on your side.

I heard and I'll sign. Ricky should really apologize for his actions this morning. That is what a "man" would do.
Yacks

Posted By: Jules RoazenI blasted. 600 watts for 30 seconds then 500 for another 30, Ryan came around and we had a pretty big gap. "Fucking eh!" I thought. We took turns for another couple of minutes until I pulled off one last time and the pack was right there. We were caught. What the fuck?!?

Why omit the fact that this was my fault?

Posted By: Christian Refakis

Posted By: Jules RoazenI blasted. 600 watts for 30 seconds then 500 for another 30, Ryan came around and we had a pretty big gap. "Fucking eh!" I thought. We took turns for another couple of minutes until I pulled off one last time and the pack was right there. We were caught. What the fuck?!?

Why omit the fact that this was my fault?

You can't take all the blame; it only would have taken 5 seconds to touch base in the hour beforehand re; the plan but we assumed... Communication during the race is key.

I'll post my analysis when I've given it some time to percolate.

Jeff has a good point there.

My opinion is that a man who is willing to shove a stranger in a Pro123 leadout is a very far, far way from being anyone you'd trust with anything of importance to you; let alone your safety.

There are many morally equivalent and equally horrifying activities I'm sure he engages in. People don't go from being civil, responsible adults to "suddenly" assaulting strangers and screaming threats at them, no matter what hollywood says.

Prospect Park Post Race Analysis April 28 2012

"Tell me what you have failed at."  A guy I worked with used to love this interview question.  For me, my answer would have been, "All the things I'm best at, I failed the hardest at first." 

That's not to say that I'm awesome at everything I ever failed at (far from it) but for sure failing hard, usually face-first has always been a key component of learning, and ultimately success - for me.

So before I write this report I want to say that:

a) everybody makes mistakes - that's how we learn
b) I'm proud to be on a team where people aren't hated on for making errors, because lord knows I've made plenty and will again
c) it's recreational racing; if all our disappointments in life were as trivial in the grand scheme as a prospect park strategy gone awry, we'd all be leading blessed lives.

That said, I'm disappointed that with Ryan, Jeff C, Dave, Yak, Jules we didn't get anyone in the top 10 overal; we should have done better; any one of us could have won the overall today.  We were ambitious in trying to win EVERYTHING (Green, Dots, Yellow from a break and the field sprint) and that should be a lesson - we're a stacked squad, but we're not *that* stacked

The Wins:

Dan is in the GREEN Jersey!  Very good to see the team pull through for this one.  My 90% full gas pull followed by Jim's big gap closing leadout and then Yak's early jump chicanery gave Dan the perfect opportunity to close the deal for the first preme - it was fantastic to roll by Dan later up the road and see the grin on his face.

We committed to and executed an overall strategy; mini leadouts for the Green & Polka Dot jersey's and a late move by Dave V followed by a counter from Jules & Ryan.

I managed to do a couple of "come with me" pick up & drop the kids off at school moves - one for Tito in the first KOM and again at the end for Yak, Dave & Christian.  I also felt like my positioning vs Ryan was sweet; when it was time we were together without any trouble.

Ryan's in-race instincts are getting better by the minute - it's really a relief to have him looking for the spot and saying "when"

Everyone stayed upright, and we have an opportunity to learn.

The Fails:

We didn't adjust our KOM & Green lead out plan when morning came with fewer guys onboard.  This left us a little stretched and as a result KOM leadouts weren't all they could/should have been.

In the heat of the moment Christian followed/foiled Jules & Ryan's last lap Massive Attack because he thought the leadout was beginning early.  This was a huge bummer but see above.  Also, given the "Kaiser's" systematic diligent approach to learning & improving it was tuition paid in chagrin that will certainly yield a lasting lesson.

The final leadout was a little under-gunned and uncoordinated - Jules=>Yak=>Christian=>Dave V quickly turned into Christian coming around Yak early and getting swarmed.

The Suggestions:

In-race communication can never be good enough; had Ryan & I confirmed with the others (and not just each other) that we were going to counter Dave's attack as a duo with furious vengeance, we might have saved some confusion and made it to the line 1-2.

We need to practice our leadouts with the mentors who know what's what.  It's definitely (see John M's posts) not all about the watts; for crying out loud I (on occasion - RARE occasion) have bested the Mighty Thor Malcolmson in a sprint or two; but when you put together the positioning, the timing, the instinct - he's just a different beast; and totally out of my league.  We can't expect to toss our strongest guy at the back of a train and it all to just "work out" not can we expect Christian (or anyone else) to just learn it on his own.

I guess that is another way of saying "best sprinter" is not necessarily the strongest guy - and only with diligent practice will we figure out who should be doing which role (diesel, renshaw, cav, sweeper, etc)

That is all. Next race, it's gonna rain muffins!

I'm with Jeff. NYPD will not be helpful.
If no one was actually hurt, then it is a non event for them.
Hell, when a mailman was mowed down on the sidewalk by an SUV (and killed), no charges were filed. This is not unusual for the NYPD.
http://www.streetsblog.org/2012/04/27/the-weekly-carnage-171/

Yeah , of course nothing will be done. In a perfect world, what would happen is the following:

Complaint lodged.
Beginning of next race and prior via email Charlie notifies all that said complaint was lodged and all racers need to behave maturely.

Simply said, there needs to be a message that behaving like a bully wont be tolerated. What's the alternative, get together as a big group and beat him up?

The alternative is to have Charlie tell him and his team the next time there is an incident like that he and his team will be banned from Chalies races for the season and Charlie will petition USAC to revoke their license.

Very enjoyable reports guys --sounds like a whole lotta fun. Lookin' forward to pitchin' in next time 'round round the park.

Pics are up!!!!

upRace42812/Cat-4/i-xDcWNQk/0/XL/8O2T0403-copy-XL.jpg

let's try that again...

http://www.oneimagingphotography.com/Cycling/LucarelliCastaldiCupRace42812/Cat-4/i-xDcWNQk/0/XL/8O2T0403-copy-XL.jpg

Dan only breaks out the Carbon Tubies for the BIG races...

http://www.oneimagingphotography.com/Cycling/LucarelliCastaldiCupRace42812/Cat-4/i-Tcp4Qqg/0/L/8O2T0034-copy-L.jpg

Major Taylor black bike 808 guy - AKA Lorenzo Brown - my nemesis!

That guy is a fucking liability. He fits into my category, with almost the entire Hudson team, of looking really pro as if he knows what to do, but actually being sketchy as fuck in the race.

But this is not really Charlie's problem. If some guy wants to threaten you in a public park, why is it Charlie's business? After all, the 'assault' occurred after the race.

William, I talked to Ricky, he pretty much said off that bat that he wants to apologize to my teammate. He also indicated that he wants one too. I didn't see / hear it, so my best guess is that its best to kiss and make up. Then later on, joke about it. It's worked for me.

Lorenzo Brown is a liablity in the race. He is sketchy and all over the place, doesn't really have the handling skills to ride in a straight line.

I'll be keeping the Mis-Matched Carbon Rocket wheels on thru the series, if it keeps me in green. Damn the powertap data. What good is data?*

*I love my data from training and can geek out on the power files for hours, but this is racing dude, I don't need data I need results.

william,

are you sure you're awake in this race. You look like you're ready for nap time.

http://www.oneimagingphotography.com/Cycling/LucarelliCastaldiCupRace42812/Pro123/i-pNPhBjP/0/M/8O2T0217-copy-M.jpg

OK, here is the full report (with pictures!). We had a huge group registered for the race. Awesome. We had little prior communication or plan, except the whole follow moves, get in a break, or set John up for the sprint thing. I worked registration until about 30 seconds before the race, and only got to the line in time with some help from my friends: Tito pinning my number and stokes helping me get dressed and putting all my clothing away (I brought a down jacket - I didn't want to be cold while helping with Reg.) So I got on the line with about 30 seconds to spare and we were off. My stomach was growling and gurgling as my pre-race coffee started working... just a little too late.

I asked for the opportunity to sit back a bit for the first couple laps, and I did just that. William who was going to avoid the early move, gets into a nice looking group pretty early on.

http://www.oneimagingphotography.com/Cycling/LucarelliCastaldiCupRace42812/Pro123/i-FcMHSBL/0/M/8O2T0139-copy-M.jpg

The field is hungry and the chase is on. I'm not sure exactly when the catch happened, but when it did I was way too far back.

Coming into the first KOM, Eric noticed my poor position, and he dragged me up the hill to get into better position. I notice a big group has rolled off the front and see WDC and a few other guys straggling in between. I jump hard, go right through group WDC. It was a really hard effort, but make contact with the break after a solo bridge. Unfortunately, it had a bunch of those numbskulls from Sommerville who effectively killed the break. Weird, I just don't get them. It isn't the first time it has happened. I wonder if they think they are being smart (i.e. the field will chase if we have too many guys in the break) or they just don't know great odds when they see them. All the non-Sommerville riders were working but they just slowed it up and let us get caught.

So back in the field, and the team is doing their thing. Covering moves, staying in position, etc. I float around and keep it steady, moving up to stay in a good spot when I can. Watching Kissena guys cover moves, etc. The field was moving really hard at times, strung out, but would then bunch in really sketchy places like the middle of the downhill.

Coming into 6 to go Eric launches an attack somewhere after the bottom of the hill.

I'm sitting near the front trying to mess things up and let him get away. Clerico and some others missed the boat and are at the front looking frustrated. Then I see Eric moving back towards me to I jump hard and start moving across the gap. I catch on somewhere on the hill and the break is formed with 9 or 10 guys.

http://www.oneimagingphotography.com/Cycling/LucarelliCastaldiCupRace42812/Pro123/i-kCGPjsD/0/M/8O2T0364-copy-M.jpg

I started barking out orders and acting like a dictator (or unifier?) and folks seem to be working together well enough. A few riders are totally on their limit but we keep it smooth. We have a gap and it seems unlikely that we will stay away, as we are moving pretty slowly (or at least that is the feeling I get).

With maybe 4 to go the Sommerville rider launches a big attack and I hop right on his wheel. We get a nice gap and then he sees I am there. I ask him if he has enough to go for 4 laps and he looks at me all pissed off and stops working. Errrr. Translation problems? I sit up and let the break reabsorb us. The group whittles down to 7 or so... and I do my best to stay out of the wind yet do my fair share.

http://www.oneimagingphotography.com/Cycling/LucarelliCastaldiCupRace42812/Pro123/i-qkxxJGL/0/M/8O2T0516-copy-M.jpg

The field is closing and we can see the moto leading the main pack pretty consistently.

With 2 to go the Sommerville guy attacks again but we ignore him. He rides 50-100 yards ahead of us for the next 1.5 laps but we reel him in. Bell lap, the field is closing hard. Unfortunately for them, I have a a slew of dudes slowing things down by marking every brake, doing the attack on the left when someone attacks on the right thing. Thanks guys.

http://www.oneimagingphotography.com/Cycling/LucarelliCastaldiCupRace42812/Pro123/i-42BPhDT/0/M/8O2T0439-copy-M.jpg

http://www.oneimagingphotography.com/Cycling/LucarelliCastaldiCupRace42812/Pro123/i-4W6jg6D/0/M/8O2T0521-copy-M.jpg

Coming off the downhill, the field is right behind us. Nobody wants to lead the sprint out. Finally, Rapha guy takes a hard pull on the left, and me and the ARC guy follow him. Paul and Franklin go on the right. Sommerville guy attacks through the bike lane and gets a big gap and holds for the win. I fight off the ARC dude for 4th across the line. Luckily, everyone protests the win and Sommerville guy is DQ'd. I get 3rd. Cool.

Here you can see how close the field was at the finish, so close in fact that the Rapha guy didn't get in the top 10.

http://www.oneimagingphotography.com/Cycling/LucarelliCastaldiCupRace42812/Pro123/i-7JwZfxp/0/M/8O2T0612-copy-M.jpg

Interesting to note that despite all their hard work blocking and frustrating chases, John and Lenny got 14th and 19th, respectively. Had there been no break up the road, John would be looking at top 10 finish and Lenny right outside. That should give us a lot of confidence that we can put riders in the money in multiple situations.

And guys - just so you don't think I'm holding out on you, I never picked up my cash money prize. I went totally shivery and had to go warm up. When I do, I will distribute.

Here is some data on the race: ignore intervals 1 and 2.

Ah!

Monster!

Kill it!

29april2012
cat5 L&C race2 report(brief)

6th again, just OUT of money! i am consistant.

enJOYed teammate DerekC in mix today&JoshC back in the pack after some off course stuff last couple weeks.

short Prospect Park race, 5laps(@16.5mi), field of 50, missing sammiT&ashleyB...so a few chances for others, 'NO kcc, pre-race plan,' secretly thought if feel strong will attempt something w/1 or 2togo on last hill climb, well, didnt; so, attacked a bit, surfed a bit, sat in a bit, chased down a break or two, then, when recovering deep in pack w/1togo a move off front at top of hill by (2)siggis{8-10siggis in race} not sure who? - later learned included 'strong rider' paul white - by time i moved up, over top of hill, &past Picnic House the pair had a good gap of 800m, i tried to organize group to take them seriously 'your ALL racing for third' &i went up front to reel them in(wanted to be with-in 100m by Temple@bottom of hill), managed to get to within 500m, but, no luck w/any sustained help, i could not do it alone(mr no watts) so, backed-off and played cheerLeader to some strong-ish neophites; the pack surged past the Temple and got us back to 300then200m of the pair, the siggi TT lead-out(&battenKill u35 winner) pealed off&was gobbledUp, i was 2nd wheel @ParkingLot/drumCircle, road a couple wheels to up to 200m togo, dug-in, down in-the-drops, middle gear for sprint, tyring to reCall 'KCC sprinting technical handBook cues, 'be the crank', eh, no, that's another story, 'relax,' maintain contact with pavement, lean forward, smooth powerful rotations, channel forces through frame via handleBars to pedals, to crank, to chain, rear wheel, most of ALL RE-l a x - arms/shoulders/back; quick smooth move to far right 'whiteLine'@ finish! 6th again. sadly, consistant - maybe i should try darts or archery!?

good time, elegant win by Paul w/ 20meters on field sprint.
-h:>

psBiG congrats to 4's 'Team work' dans green, &dave's dots! &123's team work w/joe points for KOM.

Harry...we need your animalization in the 4's...that is in ORDER !!!!

ok

so ragot talked to ricky, who said he wanted to apologize, but also wants ME to apologize. i can't stomach that after what he did to me, so i'm not going to let this wash down the drain.

i said i'd post my letter to charlie here for input, so here goes.

****


Dear Charlie,

Something happened at this Saturday's L&C Cup that you should be aware of. I know you were there when I made my complaint to Maurice, but I'm not sure you know what happened after that.

My complaint: about 500 meters from the finish on the final lap Ricky Lowe (W.S.United/MangoSeed) took his right hand off his bars and pushed me out of the lead-out line. I was in the top 10 wheels of the chasing peloton (behind the break) and he gave me a huge shove, pushed me across the road and took slotted into the place I had just occupied. I didn't crash, but riders behind me had to scramble to avoid me, and my lead-out for my teammate was over. In the heat of the moment, I yelled "what the fuck are you doing?" A few moment later, I pulled over at the start/finish and reported it to Maurice, giving him Ricky's number and identifying a witness, Amaury Perez, who was right behind us when it happened. For the record, something identical to this happened to me LAST L&C Cup, but I didn't see who it was, so I couldn't lodge a complaint.

What happened next: after the race, I saw Ricky and went up to him, introduced myself, shook his hand and told him how dangerous his push was and how inappropriate it was. Ricky immediately denied touching me at all, and instead started yelling at cursing at me for cursing at him during the race. I couldn't get a word in over him, so I walked away. A few moments later, Ricky approached me in a different spot and continued berating me. Among the things he said (these are direct quotes, substantiated by witnesses) were "I'm a man first! Got it? We race bikes together but I'm a MAN FIRST!" then implying that if he saw me on the street, he would hurt me. He finished by saying "You and me got problems. From now on in a race you see me on one side you be on the other side. That's a THREAT!" The whole affair was a really extreme and scary attempt to intimidate me. I was really grateful when my teammate Christian Refakis (one fo the few people bigger than Ricky) stepped up behind me as Ricky was really getting in my face.

Ricky actions in the race and his behavior afterwards were really screwed up and I think its important that you know this, especially if something bad happens in the following races involving him.