caloso

That final corner looked really sketchy from the sidelines. I was more concerned for my kid's safety at nationals than I was at Nevada City.

Doge

Well it does suck. His last UCI race he road with weights. Last week we had the Ultegra junior 14T steal on there and did the funky alloy cassette - that he prefers (and it does not scar the freewheel alloy). I had a hunch we should have gone to the TT bike weigh in and checked it, but we didn't.

Some ref commented that his number gluing was cool (seen in the Crit)

Anyway only 1st mattered and had he been DQ'd in 1st that would have really been bad. He didn't have it Wed.

But...with 13 stages in Europe (fortunately/unfortunately all bigger than USA Nationals in ranking) starting this week for him to win one and get to worlds, he has opportunity. If he can't win one of these UCI 2.1 stages - no shame, but no worlds (I expect). It's all on him - I chose to stay home.

shovelhd

USAC has a thing about dangerous crit courses. Brick or stone crosswalks in the middle of turns are a common theme.

Ygduf

give me a wide open airport crit anyday.

shovelhd

Low blow, dude.

Ygduf

is that where you crashed? sorry. nothing is "safe" in this sport, unfortunately.

shovelhd

That is exactly where I crashed. The course wasn't a factor though.

mattm

I do think usac wanted a very technical course, and didn't mind some extra danger, like the manhole covers in the best lines of the turns.

But I'd expect nothing less for a Crit Nats course. All the guys that were supposed to place well mostly did.

Doge

As to the RR where - the DQ'd one, I was looking at data tonight and noticed one of the KOMs was 47min Truckee to Sierraville. https://www.strava.com/segments/4491982?filter=overall
That same route was done by the U23s and Cat 1s. The kids do drill it. Daniel had to bridge to a breakaway just outside of Truckee along with Rupert which is what I think made the difference in time.

mattm

Posting the crit video here as well, for historical reference:

JohnKScott

The 3rd and 4th corners made my butt pucker every time I watched you guys go through them.

Ygduf

I gotta say, for a national crit, that's a pretty **** course. the whole thing has to be lined off with cones and tape? so you can't quite ever get a good feel for the edges? That would ruin my day.

Doge

I thought that was a great 1st video. You can see why it is so hard it to get it to 2 min.
I'm not so sure that will be next year's course and got that hint from someone involved is deciding.
There is a little rebellion that the USAC crit courses at Nationals get a wee to dangerous - esp. for minors / Cat 3s.
Despite no injury / crash for my son, I'd like to avoid it next year. Some big players (Costa, Blevins) did not do it this year.

mattm

Thanks!

On the length, yeah it was hard to even get it that short; the hard part was that there weren't really any highlights, or even a finish.. that would make it easier no doubt!!

UmneyDurak

I wouldn't want to do that course in the rain. Probably not even in the dry.

Doge

In some weird way, sometimes rain and narrow roads mellow things out. I see bad stuff happen on big fast roads. There was a light sprinkle going on during this picture, full rain for about 10 min after the race. Most these kids racers are OK with a little drift - the wet manhole covers made it exciting for a few.

revchuck 

After that injury-induced layoff, just lining up for Nats deserves kudos. And all that time in the wind...I have felt that pain, albeit at a lower level.

mattm

Winner of the elite crit posted his data: https://cyclo-sphere.com/w/78abb1467...f8424b02d36944

203w avg, 1400w max.

151 avg HR!

Ygduf

crits are easy.

shovelhd

You just didn't have it. Go get it next year. Doge the courses aren't the same year to year.

When I did Masters Nats in Bend (talk about a dangerous course) I averaged 10% over my FTP and finished 13th because I wasn't willing to wad it in turn six before a 150m sprint.

globecanvas

Yeah, no. Look at lap 20, 15+ minutes of no data. The averages are not real.

tetonrider

perhaps the gentleman might be more comfortable at....masters nationals???

i kid, i kid.

i'm betting there is less emphasis on fast-twitch to get to the starting line, though, but maybe by just a hair.

Doge

I read max HR is lower at altitude. Wondering how much lower. My son seemed 7-8 under.

Doge

They were the same for juniors both years in Bend and both years in Madison. I don't know about Georgia.

norcalr

I don't know, I thought the course was completely fine. I started in the 2nd to last row and finished in the top 20 (Elite race). If you timed it right, you could make up tons of ground in the corners (I probably moved up 50 spots in the corners alone). I really don't understand how so many people were crashing in the uphill corner...I thought that it was safer than many of the other turns on the course.

What they should really do is bring back the old Tour de Nez crit course that went through NorthStar village. That was an awesome race.