Mayor's Cup Professional Criterium
"From Mid Pack, By Shawnie Mack!"
September 26, 2009
I have been very excited for today's race since I came across it on BikeReg.com back in August. I was psyched that there was finally a race of this caliber coming to Boston late in the season, 2 weeks after my work / training trip to California to help with the Best Buddies charity ride, perfect. Guys should be burnt out and I haven't been doing much racing so I was chomping at the bit to mix it up a bit.
Secretly I was telling myself I could win this race, shoot I have lost 35-40lbs in the past year and I have been feeling pretty good on the bike, but realistically I was also telling myself that I needed to be smart and see how the race would play out. The past couple of days I have been thinking about the race a bunch and the excitement / nervousness was growing as race day was approaching.
Well today was the day the Mayor's Cup Professional Criterium was here and as I was driving through the city along the course I thought to myself wow this is pretty cool. The women were racing, the course was completely barricaded from spectators and traffic, and the people were already 2 deep. This was shaping up to be a great race. I had family and friends coming to the race to watch which made it even more exciting. As I was warming up I saw lots of familiar faces from the past from Paul McCormack, to Bill Sykes, John Crowley (one of my training partners), Mark Donnovan (My Boss at CSG), Tobi Stanton and his daughter Katelyn, Ruben and Palo, Darren from Gearworks, those guys took care of me and my equipment when I was at Fitchburg State. There was probably another 100 old friends in the crowd that I never saw but I definitely heard them around the course.
Ok, time to race, and was I surprised when Mark told me that I was getting called to the start line, but hey I guess when your older brother's are in the race and you are in the same color's it would be rude not to introduce Shawnie Mack. Nothing wrong with that. It was pretty cool to follow the into to Frankie and Mark's, the crowd was fired up by now and I don't think you could hear anything the announcer said about me. I think the last time that I was introduced to the start line was during the Atlantic cup for being in the top 20.
It felt like the race would never start and during that time I ate 2 Clif shot bloks, those things are good. I was ready to go at this point and the moments before the start I was very nervous. All kinds of thoughts going through my head at this time, like did I get in good enough openers yesterday, will my legs be good, or worse would I fell great. The whistle blows and all that just goes away and finally we can race, or survive. Only time would tell.
The race was 90 minutes, this is a lot easier to mentally to wrap head around than 60 or 70 Laps. In the beging of the race I felt like ok I can do this pace, but as time past my mouth was so dry I was spitting feathers, but I found it very difficult to find time to drink, I think I drank less than 1/2 a bottle for the whole race. The pace stayed very steady from start to finish and as time went by I thought to myself it 's got to get easier so I looked at the clock that was counting up from 0 and boy was I in for a long night when I saw 21 minutes on the clock.
This is when it gets real and your head starts to get in the way of your legs. I just kept telling myself it has to get easier, and all I had to do was follow the wheels until it does and when it does, MOVE UP. Eventually it did get easier about 40 minutes later. I was in some pain, pain I haven't experienced since I was a kid, my back was burning my legs, arms, YOU KNOW THE PAIN I AM TALKING ABOUT.
At this point I took a look back and i couldn't see the back of the field and I thought sweet, I'm not doing that bad. 1hr down, I was sure that I would make it in the group to the finish. Finally I see the lap card's come out, and this is why I race bikes. Something happens to me when I see 10 to go. I switch from survival mode to I am going to win the sprint, I don't care how good or bad I feel I always believe that I can win the sprint, I can't tell you why this happens, it just does. As I start to move forward from the middle of the pack I get onto Frankie's wheel and followed him for 1/4 lap or so, but it comes clear that he is not going forward, I think he flatted and it was 7 laps to go so his race was over as the pits were closed.
I continued forward till finally reaching Marks wheel, but I had to use a fair bit of energy to get to him in the wind, Now I say, It's on, lets go. Mark Brings me to the front through the start finish line 3 to go, damn this is awesome the crowd is loud the announcer is going nuts and I am still moving forward I am on my bro's wheel, we are going to light the field sprint up. We get half way down the back stretch and I lost Mark's wheel but it was a Colavita guy between us, then we started up the sweeping right hand turn and I realized my tank is empty. I am done. I was totally blown but I still wanted to finished in the same time as the group. I sat up just enough to get out of trouble but not enough to get dropped.
Thanks Diana, Faith and Haley.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Road Ends and Cross Begins: Mark G
It has been a while since I have updated the Blog. It has been very busy at home, at work and a tricky balance finding time to train. This has been a great season for the team and for me personally. Riding for Team Fuji Clif Bar is a truly rewarding experience and has allowed me to grow as a competitive cyclist. I have learned new tactics, how to ride as a team and had to step up my level of performance. We truly ride as a team and posted some great results because of this mission. Mark, Frankie, Shawn, Tobi and John are great friends that I admire as cyclists and learn from them every time we race together. The best part of riding for the team is we have fun.
The road season highlights started with a 7th at Battenkill. That was one tough race. At Housatonic Hills I took the KOM and won the field sprint for second place. Todd Buckley rode like a superhero and went solo for the win. In June, I decided to take the family on vacation to Canada and did the Sutton Stage Race. Incredible event! We spent the week up there and hung with my friend Stephan Marcoux and his family. I peaked for the weekend and took a 3rd in the prologue mass start hill climb. It was a three up sprint and I had the same time as David Gazi the leader. I had a killer TT going and flatted with 3K to go. I was so determined and rode hard on the flat and only lost what I estimate was about 90 seconds (in the rain and crossed railroad tracks at 25 mph). Three tacks in the tubulars. The rumor is some guy that lives in the area hates the race and threw them on the road. Six other victims that I heard about. Slipped back from 3rd to 8th in GC (at the end I was 62 seconds back in GC, Damn bad time for a flat). Not bad for a salvage job. The crit went well and the Americans decided to ride as a team for the road race on the final day. Two big climbs and a super nice course. I ended up 2nd moving up to 6th in GC. This is a very competitive race and super well run. Sutton, Quebec is a charming town. I’m in for next year.
When I returned home it was time for some MTB. The stage race fitness was a benefit and I took the win at the Domnarski Farms NORBA Race. This was a very hard course with big climbs put on by good friend and fellow racer Matt Dombroski. The next MTB race was the Mass State Championship at Oxford where I got the Bronze. I was totally humbled by Jonny Bold and Mike Rowell who battled several minutes up the trail. After that, I took the Mass State Road Championship at the Tour of Hilltowns by suffering on the back of an all OA breakaway. Man those guys are strong!!! I’m glad they are all from Maine and that I was the only Mass guy who made the break because I no legs to sprint that day.
The highlight of the year was racing with Tobi at the Green Mountain Stage Race. It was a proud day for us during the road race where Tobi was in the sprinters jersey and I was in the climber’s jersey. During the crit, while working for Tobi, I found myself off the front and with one to go and saw I could really take it. Got nipped by Max Lippotus at the line. I knew it was close coming up the final stretch by the roar of the crowd. Talk about a rush.
Now that a great road season is over it is onto cross. I went to Sucker Brook on Sunday to try the cross legs out. The best part was I shared it with my son Greg who did his first Junior race. Greg did an incredible job and at 9 yrs old completed the 30 minute race. I am impressed with his handling skills. BMX has prepared him well.
The 35+ race was hard and all the fast guys showed. Jonny Bold, Kevin Hines, Curtis Boivin, John Mosher, Kurt Perham, Mike Rowell, John Meerse, Sam Morse, Ryan Rumsey, Alan Starrett, the list goes on. I was on the second row and got a great start at about 7th wheel. Things sorted out quickly and I followed Jon Bold to the top five. He accelerated and got a gap. It was early so I decided to stay in the group and avoid risk of blowing up. Kevin Hines rode through and bridged to his team mate in no time. Simply amazing! I was in the chase group which included Curtis B, John M, Erik Gutbier, Kurt Perham and a few others. Curtis got a gap but came back to the group. Curtis attacked again and this time got away. He rode very strong and aggressive. With 3 to go the group slowed so I went to the front to keep the pace high and the group thinned to John Mosher, Eric and I. I got a bit of recovery and set up for the sprint. My plan was to be second wheel into the sand pit and start the sprint after the 180 before the pavement. I figured this would be a great place to add the element of surprise. It worked and I got the jump and a 3 second gap. Felt great and happy with the result.
Greg and I talked about racing all the way home. Greg and I are off to VT for the first two Verge races this weekend.
The road season highlights started with a 7th at Battenkill. That was one tough race. At Housatonic Hills I took the KOM and won the field sprint for second place. Todd Buckley rode like a superhero and went solo for the win. In June, I decided to take the family on vacation to Canada and did the Sutton Stage Race. Incredible event! We spent the week up there and hung with my friend Stephan Marcoux and his family. I peaked for the weekend and took a 3rd in the prologue mass start hill climb. It was a three up sprint and I had the same time as David Gazi the leader. I had a killer TT going and flatted with 3K to go. I was so determined and rode hard on the flat and only lost what I estimate was about 90 seconds (in the rain and crossed railroad tracks at 25 mph). Three tacks in the tubulars. The rumor is some guy that lives in the area hates the race and threw them on the road. Six other victims that I heard about. Slipped back from 3rd to 8th in GC (at the end I was 62 seconds back in GC, Damn bad time for a flat). Not bad for a salvage job. The crit went well and the Americans decided to ride as a team for the road race on the final day. Two big climbs and a super nice course. I ended up 2nd moving up to 6th in GC. This is a very competitive race and super well run. Sutton, Quebec is a charming town. I’m in for next year.
When I returned home it was time for some MTB. The stage race fitness was a benefit and I took the win at the Domnarski Farms NORBA Race. This was a very hard course with big climbs put on by good friend and fellow racer Matt Dombroski. The next MTB race was the Mass State Championship at Oxford where I got the Bronze. I was totally humbled by Jonny Bold and Mike Rowell who battled several minutes up the trail. After that, I took the Mass State Road Championship at the Tour of Hilltowns by suffering on the back of an all OA breakaway. Man those guys are strong!!! I’m glad they are all from Maine and that I was the only Mass guy who made the break because I no legs to sprint that day.
The highlight of the year was racing with Tobi at the Green Mountain Stage Race. It was a proud day for us during the road race where Tobi was in the sprinters jersey and I was in the climber’s jersey. During the crit, while working for Tobi, I found myself off the front and with one to go and saw I could really take it. Got nipped by Max Lippotus at the line. I knew it was close coming up the final stretch by the roar of the crowd. Talk about a rush.
Now that a great road season is over it is onto cross. I went to Sucker Brook on Sunday to try the cross legs out. The best part was I shared it with my son Greg who did his first Junior race. Greg did an incredible job and at 9 yrs old completed the 30 minute race. I am impressed with his handling skills. BMX has prepared him well.
The 35+ race was hard and all the fast guys showed. Jonny Bold, Kevin Hines, Curtis Boivin, John Mosher, Kurt Perham, Mike Rowell, John Meerse, Sam Morse, Ryan Rumsey, Alan Starrett, the list goes on. I was on the second row and got a great start at about 7th wheel. Things sorted out quickly and I followed Jon Bold to the top five. He accelerated and got a gap. It was early so I decided to stay in the group and avoid risk of blowing up. Kevin Hines rode through and bridged to his team mate in no time. Simply amazing! I was in the chase group which included Curtis B, John M, Erik Gutbier, Kurt Perham and a few others. Curtis got a gap but came back to the group. Curtis attacked again and this time got away. He rode very strong and aggressive. With 3 to go the group slowed so I went to the front to keep the pace high and the group thinned to John Mosher, Eric and I. I got a bit of recovery and set up for the sprint. My plan was to be second wheel into the sand pit and start the sprint after the 180 before the pavement. I figured this would be a great place to add the element of surprise. It worked and I got the jump and a 3 second gap. Felt great and happy with the result.
Greg and I talked about racing all the way home. Greg and I are off to VT for the first two Verge races this weekend.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
GMSR 50+ recap - by John G.
Being the elder statesman of this team I decided on racing the 50+ at the Green Mountain Stage Race. I managed to finally get a win this season in the Circuit race. I didn't have any teammates but I did have some secret help from my fellow Maine racers. Things pretty much stayed together in the Circuit race. It ended up being more of a race of attrition as we lost 15 guys each time up the climb. By the time we hit the 5 mile to go mark we were down to 30 or so which was a lot easier to manage. I just put myself near the front with 5k left and waited for fellow Mainer and friend Hank Pfeifle to throw in his promised attack from 1k out. He instantly had a small gap and I just had to wait for someone to chase, which they did. With 500 to go I was back on Hank's wheel and amazingly he cranked it up again and from 300 meters I started it up early into the wind hoping I would get a quick gap. I think I had 10 bike lengths before anyone could react and I was able to hold off the field for the win.
I was not looking for the Sprint Jersey but after the win I was in 2nd for points. I decided to try and get the one sprint in the next days road race. Luckily it came early at the 14 mile point. A couple of non-sprinters attacked 5 miles out and instantly had a big gap. Points went 3 places deep so as we neared the line I went to the front and again went early with the current jersey wearer on my wheel. I had a good head of steam and took the remaining points putting us in a 2 way tie. I managed to out crawl him up Appalachian gap leaving me the jersey since I finished ahead of him.
Monday's Crit is always my favorite race. I got to see the nail biter finish in the 40+ race. Mark Gunsalus was soooo close to pulling it off. Great racing by Mark and Tobi. I got a call up for the Jersey in my race and quickly went to the front since this race sheds guys quickly. I managed to grab the first sprint which gave me a good lead, but unfortunately 3 guys counter attacked right after. They stayed away for the next sprint points but none of them were in the hunt so it worked out well for me. We got 2 of them back but Dimitry Buben was still 10 seconds up with a lap to go. I led it out from the top of the hill and carried a ton of speed out of the last corner. With a decent tailwind I was able to get the field sprint for second, with Dimitry in for the win a couple seconds ahead of me. I even won a bottle of Vermont Gold Vodka from the Sprint Jersey Sponsor. Have to crack that open this Winter.
I was not looking for the Sprint Jersey but after the win I was in 2nd for points. I decided to try and get the one sprint in the next days road race. Luckily it came early at the 14 mile point. A couple of non-sprinters attacked 5 miles out and instantly had a big gap. Points went 3 places deep so as we neared the line I went to the front and again went early with the current jersey wearer on my wheel. I had a good head of steam and took the remaining points putting us in a 2 way tie. I managed to out crawl him up Appalachian gap leaving me the jersey since I finished ahead of him.
Monday's Crit is always my favorite race. I got to see the nail biter finish in the 40+ race. Mark Gunsalus was soooo close to pulling it off. Great racing by Mark and Tobi. I got a call up for the Jersey in my race and quickly went to the front since this race sheds guys quickly. I managed to grab the first sprint which gave me a good lead, but unfortunately 3 guys counter attacked right after. They stayed away for the next sprint points but none of them were in the hunt so it worked out well for me. We got 2 of them back but Dimitry Buben was still 10 seconds up with a lap to go. I led it out from the top of the hill and carried a ton of speed out of the last corner. With a decent tailwind I was able to get the field sprint for second, with Dimitry in for the win a couple seconds ahead of me. I even won a bottle of Vermont Gold Vodka from the Sprint Jersey Sponsor. Have to crack that open this Winter.
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