The course features one fast paced, all together gradual 3 minute "climb", similar to something you might climb on Petaluma Hill road out out to Glen Ellen and back, I doubt anyone was dropped here and for most it was likely an intresting diversion from the flat dry roads.
I found the first two 18 miles loops to be very easy and the last 5 miles of the last 18 mile loop to be essentially the race.
We were left to try to stake our postion on the line over the last 1km as riders were banned from crossing the center yellow where a motocycle was parked to block riders from beginning there final push until the last possible second. I was ok, but not satisfied with my 15th place finish in the 70+ combined field of A and B group fields, happy to have avoid a couple of close calls with crashes and witnessed, but not participated in any flat tires!
Kashy finished his "rookie" season, with a storming 3rd place finish overall. His potential seems boundless and riders in Norcal will soon know his name!
Kashy reports that Matt was game to intiate a 2 or 3 man break, but without strong enough allies on a flat, non-hilly, non-windy course, the decision was made to sit in take their chances on a group run in to the finish. Matt placed 11th, just outside the points, in a race where the top 20 could all be winners in different circumstances!
THIS RACE AND THE MODESTO RACE, WOULD BE AN AWSOME RACE TO GET A HUGH FIELD OF AS MANY 2WR RIDERS TO SIT IN ON, IN THAT THE WHOLE GROUP STAYS TOGETHER AND FINISHES TOGETHER AND WOULD LEND ITSELF TO SHOWING OFF THE BLUE AND WHITES.
I think a rider like Ray Rod who has shown himself to have a very long sprint, as well as a punchy sprint could do some damage here, and so perhaps with our scouting done, we could look to take a bigger group up next year.
Star