Race results 6 race series is over. I'm beat to death.
 

I was in a 5 man break with two laps to go. At one point we couldn't see the main group for a while. Then guys stopped working. Got sucked in and recovered. Started working back to the front. Double yellow line rule kept me blocked on the left. Packed in on the right. Cross the RR tracks, pace quickens, then a bad wreck. My team mate has to go around it. The pack splits, I advance. 200m and I'm stuck. Rules are that you cannot cross the yellow in the sprint or the cones at the line. I was dead in the water. Top 15 somewhere. Then. THEN!!! Someone stops at the line. Yes I said stops at the line and my team mate T-bones him at 25mph or better. He goes over the bars and lands on his side. Sprained wrist, soar hip. His F4:13 frame is OK, but his shifter and saddle is a mess.

So this is the total results for me in the 6 race series:

Donaldson Center:3rd cat 5
BMW: 7th cat 5

Cat up to 4s

Fork Shoals: 6th (money)
Donaldson: 3 man break caught at the line, pack finish
River Fall: 6th (money)
Donaldson: 5 man break, caught, pack filler, no sprint finish. Blah!

Why on God's green earth would you stop at the finish line?

Seriously.

Did the USAC official give him a stern talking to after the incident?

And congrats on your successful Spring Campaign!

I'd think getting t-boned at 25mph would be enough of a talking to, but...

Oh yeah, Sub, good job - sounds like you've had some decent results so far.

You mean you're not supposed to stop at the line and take a nap?

http://www.saynotocrack.com/wp-conte...g-it-wrong.jpg

Yeah, my friend felt bad because he said some choice words when he got up. There were a lot of families around. He apologized to him later.

That happened to me on the finishing climb of the NC State RR...

I was very, very bitter.

Same guy that stops at an on-ramp to the highway, eh? Man oh man.

Nice race report!

you are having a pretty good start of the season. I only can hope my first few races are similar

Is there really nothing you could do? I can only dream of being in your situation at this point (I would be shelled long ago). But does no amount of yelling work, or maybe some tactical move to get around? I would feel a bit like a heel if I was in the front and I had stronger riders behind me hollering. But... I guess I'd still try to keep 'em boxed in. As mentioned, it's all about position.

After the crash, riders starting moving up hard for the end. We had thirty plus guys bunched in between the yellow and edge of pavement. I was pinched elbow to elbow. I really should have worked harder for positions - anything at all. But I blew it.

Congrats, sub, on a strong start! If the Greenville races are anything like when I did them a few years ago, it's some fast dudes that show up.

Yelling is usually counterproductive in this situation. If the rider(s) ahead of you know their salt, they'll tell you to STFU. You blew your finishing position, it's your own fault, no one to blame but yourself. Racing is fitness and tactics.

Sub, sounds like you now know you can shoot for podiums. So start the process a little earlier, when you've got time to get to the front spots with a shot.

There's still a lot I have to learn about tactics, positioning, and making things work for a good end result. This year has come off to an awesome start for me. I really think I can win or at least podium very soon. Then work on moving to cat 3 - which is my ultimate goal.

nice, my results for cat 3s

Donaldson Center: 1st
BMW: Didnt race
Fork Shoals: 12th, teamate won so I missed the break
Donaldson: 4th
River Fall: 7th
Donaldson: Didnt race

I think I'm ready to upgrade.

do it!

I'd say so, sandbaggin wussie. ;)

Thanks for the education. I'm just going off what I know.... which is mtn bike racing. If you come up on a slow rider in a dirt race, it's pretty much expected that you'll yell as loudly as needed until they make room to pass. You're on single track there though and not in a tight pack. I would be tempted to razz the person in front in a road race... especially if I was maliciously boxed in. Never would actually do it though, of course.

Hello substructure,

Nice way to start the season. Hope the season continues to go well for you. Nice to know that there's a lot of racing going on this time of year in other parts of the country.

I'm glad too. I hope I do continue to do well. I'd love to get some cat 3 racing in before moving to *cough* Masters 35+. :o

Nice! Congratulations on your great start to the season. :)