I just finished stage two of my first stage race. Actually, I didn't finished. I had to DNF. The road race is a hilly loop. The pace starts out relatively relaxed (260watts to stay in contact in the pack, avg heart rate 160bpm). I'm in the middle of the pack. We hit the first climb, the pace is upto 300watts (170bpm). I'm maintaining contact with the middle/back of the pack. A few racers slide out the back. I hit the top of the first climb, the race goes down a sharp hill. We hit speeds around 60 to 65km/hr. The guy in front of me misses a turn and flies into the bushes. I nearly over cooked the turn too but get control. I accelerate hard to grab the pack. The course is mostly downhill for a couple kms. I drop back a bit on one of the climbs (100meters). A truck pulls into the space between me and the pack. The truck slows down to a crawl (for about 2 to 3mins). I can't go around it due to the yellow line rule. The pack pulls away. Driver realizes I'm behind him. He pulls off, I max out attempting to catch the pack. They're gone. I stayed in for a couple laps but packed it in. Better luck next time.

You can't advance position across the yellow line.

If you're not advancing position, it's fair game in my book for something like said truck.

Really? Ahhh... I had no idea. When I read the rules, it stated anyone crossing the yellow line will be automatically DQ'd. The race official was right behind me. Too bad it wasn't a closed course. Right before the start of the race, a course marshal was in a fight with a driver who wanted through the course. The police were called. There were quite a few cars on the course.

Absolutely you should have jumped around that truck. How'd it get in there in the first place? Wasn't there a follow vehicle?

Too bad you are out. Rack up the experience and try again!

dont worry, when you turn pro you'll rarely ever have to deal with this.

I'm not really sure how to take your remark. However, I was humbled by the level of competition. In our local race series, I can contend for top 10. In this race, I was in no way competing for a top placing, my hope was to finish middle of the pack. The field were nearly all Cat 4's. There were only 5 or 6 Cat Fives out of 60 racers. The top placings in the Cat 4/5 hill climb (stage one) were not far off the Pro/1/2 times. I certainly have some work to do.