Win at Bow Road Race
Race Plan
Our overall goal for the race, besides winning it, was to get Mary in a break or good situation to win the race. Mary was not to be at the front or leading up the climbs so she could conserve energy for when she would make her attack. The plan was to launch an attack on the hill on lap 3 in hopes of shortening the actual “race” within the race. It was the job of others to set tempo and block at the front until Mary was ready to make her move. While this was happening we also were to be aware and reactive to a situation that did not involve Mary and if need be, to reel it back in.
How the Race Unfolded
Sally and Suzanne set a nice tempo on the first trip up the climb. Once we crested the hill and began the decent, Sally soon aided by Natalie, remained at the front to drive the pace. The only events of the first lap were when Mary dropped her chain, which nearly through the entire race plan out the window! However, the team sprang into action as Sam rode to the front to inform Sally and Natalie to slow the pace. Meanwhile, Rebecca slowed and drifted to the back to wait for Mary to help her back on to the pack. Once Mary had her chain back on, Rebecca was there to help chase her back onto the group. The well executed work of the team allowed Mary to recover in time to launch a decisive move on the hill as the second lap started.
As Mary approached the second trip up the hill, still being pulled by Sally at this point, she decided to make her move on this lap rather than wait for the 3rd trip. This move proved to be the right one as it seemed to catch the pack off guard. Mary was able to separate herself from the field rather quickly and hold the lead until after the descent. Silke Wunderwald (IF) and Audrey Friedrichsen-Scott (Bikeway) responded to Mary’s attack so Mary decided to sit up and allow for Silke and Audrey to join the break. As Mary made her move on the hill, Sally and Rebecca remained at the front to block the rest of the pack. As the trio worked up the road, the tempo of the remaining pack was controlled by the rest of the NEBC squad. Silke and Mary soon proved to be too strong for Audrey Friedrichsen-Scott as the two gained separation on her as well. The race remained a two rider break for the remainder of the way. As Mary and Silke approached the final 1K, Mary finished her pull with the hopes of Silke taking the lead heading into the last 500m. However, Silke never came around to the front, which forced Mary to take control from the front. As she rounded the corner, the NEBC/Cycle Loft tent came into sight. At this point she lowered her head and drove for the line. Silke did the same and both riders plowed, elbow to elbow toward the line. Natalie and Suzanne were there to cheer, yell and jump up and down. This bit of cheerleading proved to provide a jolt of energy for Mary and she was able to take her sprint to another gear and beat Silke by a bike length for the WIN! After controlling tempo on the front of the pack for a good portion of the day, Sally received a world class lead out from Tami and was able to find the one more match to win the field sprint for a 4th place finish, followed by Rebecca for a 6th place finish.
The NEBC win was truly a team effort. Everyone played a key role and helped contribute to the win. Overall, it was a very successful day on our bikes.