Here is my read on this. Talk to Ricky. He might not even really want an apology, or you can ask why he expects one and you can just say no.

This almost sounds to me like some Israel-Palestine preconditions for talks bullshit. If after the convo, he still doesn't get it, then take next steps.

Mike

---edit -----

after I read that it sounded mean. When I call it bullshit, I am referring to these grown statesmen who posture and won't sit down at a table until all their egos are massaged enough. I know this situation isn't like that and frankly you have a right to be pissed. My point is, Ricky just might be saving face by saying he wants an apology. Even when you know you did something wrong, it is really damn difficult to publicly admit it. But one on one might be a different story.

For what it's worth; one of the elements of Kissena that I take pride in is that we don't seem to participate in the public hating that many of the other teams seem to enjoy.

I'd love to see a happy solution to this that results in a Ricky/WDC fence-mending

Only 20 pre-registered so far, but it's only Tuesday. Here's the current lineup:

Christopher Conde
David Vollbach
Richard Petersen
Daniel Reiners
David Stearns
James Nelson

My dudes, I'm out until the following weekend - this is super crunchtastic finals time for me. After the 17th I'm freeeeeeeeeeeee....!!!!!!

jah mon!

I'm planning on doing this just haven't registered yet.

Anybody else in?

I registered yesterday.

I'll be in South Carolina for the next two weekends... you fellas enjoy the races, and kill the competition like WDC does to those poor squirrel varmints!

Out. Finals like the kids.

I am suffering a bit of the old knee tendinitus right now....going to drag my feet on registering till Friday...keeping it iced, wrapped and elevated as much as possible. I will liklely be there. I don't want to miss the opportunity of seeing Dan's ghostly white legs stuffed into bright green bibs...
yack

Pasty White Thighs...

condensed milk....

Somebody I work with mentioned that my legs look like I am an amputee smuggling ivory out of Kenya in my pants.

I look forward to blinding the competition with whiteness on Saturday.

Based on the number of posts William is coming up with, it is obvious he is studying for finals. How else would he have time to add all these posts, especially with the pictures.

Pre-reg is

J.P. Partland
Joaquin C de Baca
Keith Snyder
Lennard Katz
Michael Perlberg
Vlad Preoteasa

I'm happy to follow moves and chase stuff down in the early laps so others can rest. I have no idea where my fitness is, but I'll do what I can. I don't expect to be able to match Dioslaki if he launches up the hill on the first lap.

Thanks to hunter, our L&C strategizing has gone from planning the D-Day invasion to non-existent.

I am in too. I want to try taking it east for the first 2/3 of the race and see how things pop the latter part. I will be heading up to Orchard Beach after, so I don't want to blow it all unless I need to.

Mike - you need a ride?

@Eric - sure I'll take a ride, although I can snag Bo's car if others need the spot.

As for the race... it looks to be filling up slowly towards a big field. I would like to sit tight for the first 1/3 and keep an eye on some of the promising breakaway riders. And then do what I do.

Is anyone up for the sprint? Lenny?

@Mike. Nobody has asked for a ride as of now.

i won't be there guys

last weekend before finals and i need to buckle down

good luck

-wm

One man can do a lot of damage if his accent is right...

I'm working this weekend, so I'm out too. Looking at the line-up this could be an interesting or sleepy race for Kissena. JP's coming off of the injured-reserve list, Joaquin is still finding his race legs, Ragot's saving himself for marriage (err, Orchard Beach).

[File the following under, "If I were the boss of you." It's just my opinion.]

But that doesn't mean Perlberg, as the dude who's been rocking PP races all season, won't have good support if he needs it. It would be nice to get a guy like Vlad in the early, but dangerous break. Perlberg hangs back a bit, waiting for a counter-attack and/or bridge-up opportunity in response to that early move. If he needs it, Ragot should have the explosive power ready to help get Mike where he needs to be.

JP will no doubt be strong enough to ride hard tempo/block at the front; and will be a good decoy/rabbit early on in the race. No one lets JP get going very far, so if he's even a little bit off the front, iff there's a dangerous move off the front without Kissena in it, JP doesn't even have to close down the move himself. If he puts his nose in the wind, gets part way across, the rest of the field will shut it down pronto, finishing off the job.

Joaquin, you learned that you have no problem racing in the pack a few weeks ago, this week is the time to see how much pop you've got in those legs. Consider either going for one of the intermediate sprints, OR being in position to launch a strong counter after the field takes a collective deep breath after a sprint effort.

Keith, we know you are strong and you can rock the front of the field at any given time. But don't waste energy, just because the race feels boring to you. Lots of communication here. You are another strong candidate, like Vlad, for the early, dangerous break.

Lenny, as the team's closest thing to a sprinter, consider going for an intermediate sprint to get the legs opened up and the elbows sharpened for the inevitable confrontation with the PP sprinters. As much as I love to see the Kissena diesels line it up for a proper leadout, I'm realistic and have sort of given up that ghost for 1/2/3 races (instead focusing on encouraging our 3/4s to master the train). You're no stranger to freelancing it at the end, but I think an in race "warm-up" will help for the final group gallop.

I like the sound of that. I'll go for something early.

Full field. 100 riders.

It's interesting that while Ricky Lowe is in, he doesn't have full support of the Burroweses. Mengoni has several riders, but not Scott Savory. They have Augusto Sanchez, who seems to be much better suited for breakaways. Dioslaki has a decent-sized team. John Durso, last year's series winner, has two teammates.

I was so distracted by William's crazy photo posts, I forgot to post a team strategy for Cat 4.

We've got 9 riders this week, and control two of the Jerseys. David is in polka dots, and I'll be donning the green.

David has gotten all of his points on late race solo/2up breaks, I don't know how effective a late race break is going to be again this week, but then again David is in polka dots not the yellow this week. David, if you're looking to win again with a solo attack, small group I think getting Sergey from Hudson (Skinny Hudson on the yellow/black Trek), and Alfonso Torres of Mexico/NY Cycling Team, both are strong right now, and willing to work in a break.

I need a couple folks to help lead out for the sprint only going for it after the temple or near the parking lot full gas. Jim & David if you could do your role again this week it would be awesome. I have 3 points on everybody else out there, so I don't need to win any this week, I just have to score points, As long as nobody wins both sprints I should be in good shape to hold onto green.

Christian...I know this is the most boring part in the race, but chill out...chill out. Your chance is in the sprint. Try not to do anything until the last lap. Everybody who has legs, we should get lined up on the RIGHT side guys, so going up the hill and everywhere look for opportunities to move over to the right, we should form up and be communicating with each other how many are ahead of you (so people know how much of a leadout we can do), and gauge from there, unless we have all 9 lined up, we shouldn't really get it rolling out front until the temple. Anywhere before that we are just wasting energy and blowing our load early.

I had a last minute change of plans and am now entered.

I like Marc's race plan, although a bit confused about the intermediate sprints—isn't it just points for the series? Is it worth fighting for? On that note, as a team do we have interest in trying to get a specific jersey? Perlberg for series overall?

Vlad has great TT numbers and would be great for a long break. If that doesn't pan though, I was thinking Vlad and I could try for a 450m two-man style... Ragot, Perlberg on my wheel even better. It's not looking windy tomorrow (9mph from the West, late 50's) which lends itself to a bunch sprint no?

It's pretty hilarious that places 6-10 don't even win their entry back.

There for you Dan.

We hold 3 of the top 4 spots in the sprint points. It would be helpful to be aware when we're out there who the other contenders are. Jeremy Clark is a skinny guy who rides for Sids and A Torres rides for Chelsea but I don't see him signed up yet.

Yacks, how're those tendons coming along?

Dave will be riding the MFV so I think he should go for all three; dots, green and yellow... whilst whittling a corncob pipe.
Just saying...