Two out of town teammates put the hurt on the NY crowd, TTT to victory, and coast in together. Didn’t we see this somewhere before?
Not only do they spank us, they deprive us of a proper sprint.
With 98 miles in the cold rain, the pack wasn’t about to hammer from the gun. A small breakaway of three slipped away on lap 2, to be joined by two more riders, one of them Gavriel Epstein (Next). Even with the race on, the 3 field caught the pack AND the break. The main field, which had planned on a gradual catch, suddenly found that the time gap had grown from one to two minutes while they were neutralized for the 3 field.
@##=#<3,L>@##=#With the race effectively shortened and the break given a breather, Sakonnet put some muscle into the chase, pulling back 30 seconds. Pre race favorite Todd Herriott (Colavita Oil/Sutter Home) then started launching attacks in an attempt to bridge. Herriott was heavily marked, and it took four jumps before he got away solo.
Meanwhile, the break of five worked well together, gaining a maximum gap of 3 minutes. With the 18 year old Epstein and 19 year old Raphael Tremblay (Trek VW/Quebec), it featured the two youngest riders in the field. However, with two laps to go, it started to fall apart. Epstein would be dropped as Daniel Greenfield and Josh Dillon (Louis Garneau) motored past, followed by other chasers one by one, including Herriott.
At this point things went a bit pear shaped. The thickening fog sent the NYVC chopper back to base, limiting coverage to the cameras stationed at the finish line. Race director Mike Green was overheard demanding a fixed wing plane for next year’s telecast. Details get sketchy here, but we do know that the Garneau duo got away on the last climb and rolled in together.
No wonder they won, the guy on the left is the Incredible Hulk (check out those legs).
The rest of the field finished in ones and twos, with no pack to speak of, as if a cyclocross race broke out. Given the muddy state of their kits, that may well have been the case.
I was marshalling Tiorati circle with that lake station in the center and these two guys, on the last lap, came whipping around this corner like they had a deathwish. I couldnt believe the speed that they took it. The guy with the black leg warmers, went around so quickly, I dont think he used his brakes much because he went much wider than the green leg warmer gent and for a moment lost traction – and amazingly stayed upright. When Harriots group went by, I shouted the splits which I think was like 38 seconds and upon hearing it, he and 4 or 5 others put on the stomp! That was truly a good race!
Lee, thanks! That’s some good info.
I can fill in some of the details for you. I was the one that finished 3rd. I attacked and got away with 4 laps to go with one of the Garneau guys and a Trek VW guys. At this point there were 5 guys up the road. With 3 laps to go we dropped the Trek guy and the Garneau guy decided to wait for his teamate that was bridging leaving me alone for half a lap. Up the climb with 3 to go the 2 garneau guys came by me fast and a few minutes later Todd bridged up to me and we worked together to try to reel in the break. We didn’t see anyone until the last climb where we caught two of the guys that were in the break. (the Garneau guys were gone) We worked together for that last stretch and Todd attacked with about a mile to go. I countered and got away to finish 3rd and the three of them sprinted for the next few spots. I hope that helps clear things up…
I love it! Communal race reports. Thanks!
I was the 17th guy to cross the line, but had been dq’d on the first lap for removing my helmet to take off my hat. Hope that helps clairfiy as well…:)
when you know you are going to get dropped you remove anything to get dq!!!!!! loser!!!!!!