Men's Masters Bobby Beal Masters Weekend - Ed Lang 9-15-07
Road race 55+: 38 miles in the rain, 2 laps of 19 mile loop containing a 1-mile 200 ft hill with a steep 60 ft rise at the start. Horrible pavement on the hill. 55 riders in the 55+ 60+ 65+ combined pack. I stayed out of trouble in the front 15, and was 4th up the steep part of the hill the first lap; 2nd behind Gerard Robert (ACMEA Credit Agricole) the second lap.
Shifted to the small chainring and stayed seated for the climb (risky to stand on slick uneven pavement), let several riders pass on the remaining uphill and then let a small gap open on the downhill so I could see a good line through the water-filled potholes. Easy to close when the pavement improved.
The hill split the pack, but there was no organization to further break up the lead group. I got into good position at the left turn 1200 meters from the finish, moving into 4th or 5th behind Robert. Moved in front of Robert at about 500 meters, protected from the wind but clear on the right.
At 200+ meters Robert sprinted past on the right and moved to the center. I jumped on his wheel, sat in until 100 meters, and then applied power to pass on the right. I was up to the back of his front wheel when I looked up and saw people standing on the pavement right!
I moved slightly left, but when Robert moved slightly right I stopped pedalling and watched Robert’s right foot spinning 2 inches from my front spokes! At that moment I could only continue straight—I would have had to steer slightly left to get enough lean to move right, and there was no space.
Eventually (it seemed forever) I slowed enough to un-overlap. Sigh of relief! One other 55+ rider passed me before I coasted over the line for 3rd place overall (1st in 65+).
Bill Olson (racing 55+; Donna and Bill NEBC riders from the 1970´s) later told me that Gerard Robert was a distinguished rider: 2005 Masters 55+ World Track Champion in sprint, TT and points races. I don’t know whether he used his skill to shut me down. Perhaps he was just comfortable riding close and preparing for a final acceleration.
Also turned out that the officials standing on the road within 50 meters of the finish were protecting an injured rider lying motionless (concussion and broken collarbone).
3mi TT 65+: I went out too hard for the first 2.5 minutes, and suffered at reduced power for the last 2.5 minutes. Final time of 7min7sec was 1st in the 65+ category.
Criterium 65+: 22 laps, good weather. 65+ raced with 70+. Fairly steady pace with no breaks. The pack lined up behind me for the last lap so I just pedalled straight and easy. One rider finally took off 400 meters from the finish. I jumped on his wheel, waited until I heard riders behind getting anxious, then sprinted 150 meters for the win.
Hill power needed to stay with the 55+ lead pack: SRM showed 557W for the first 55sec, and 322W for the remaining 1min35sec (for my 167 lb weight).