Robbie, Snelling Race Report

Robbie Snelling Race Report
2/27/2010 – 13-14yr olds
6th place – photo finish
26 miles roughly
This was the hardest and most fun race I have ever been in. I got to meet a lot of new kids. The way we did the ride out to the start and waiting gave us a chance to talk to other riders more than other times.
It was kind of over cast bad weather but it had stopped raining. There was a lot rain before so the roads were really wet and some areas with a lot of water on the road. The course had roller hills like out by John’s house in Clements but not as many.
There were about 21 riders. We were all doing fine and all held together the first time around. Robert, Ryan and me were keeping with the pretty fast pace. A little in to the second lap I was talking with some other riders and I saw Dylan and another guy shoot past and they were off. I was totally caught off guard and now I know what an ATTACK is like. I had never had one happen before like that last year in the 11-12 year olds. I tried to catch up but they were gone. I caught up with another guy, Matt of Specialized, that got dropped from the attack group and then we took turns leading till the end. Matt had a lead going into the finish hill. I pushed and got even with him at the finish line and thought I was going to beat him. Then he pushed his wheel forward and beat me for 5th place by inches. The officials had me down as winning 5th place but I didn’t and notified them so they could make it right. So I got 6th place.
I learned three things for sure. 1. I have to pay attention to attacks and watch Dylan. 2. I have to learn how to stand on these hill finishes so I can go faster. It is the gearing switches that throws me when I go from sitting to standing on a sprint up hill. 3. I will always push my wheel forward in the future if it is really tight. That cost me a point.
Again it was a lot of fun and I need to train more because I had no energy left.
It was really fun hanging with Robert and Ryan. They rode well. The only way it could have been better is if John C. would have been there with us. Hope he is better.
Robbie