Cat 5 under 34 Myles Standish Road Race - Jason Gulbinas - 4-22-07
It finally happened…after many attempts to place in a road race I won cat 5 (u34) today at Myles Standish!! At the starting line I was very relieved to find another NEBCer, Keith Reynolds, who I knew has more road racing wisdom than I do. This was not the first time Keith has assisted me to a good placing. Last November in the Glouster Grand Prix of Cyclecross Keith came up to me deep into the race and asked me what the hell I was doing. I thought there was another lap to go, and was chilling out, but he let me know, very emphatically, that we were entering the final sprint….so I turned on the afterburners and placed top 5. Today not only did he coach me with strategy before the race but also set me up for the meanest sprint I’ve ever been in.
Keith and I were apparently both feeling good since we were both too anxious to sit in the pack. We both took turns at the front for most of the race and crossed the finish line in ½ every lap up to the finish lap. Nothing too exciting to report on the strategy except that 2 guys from another team took an ill-fated attempt to burn the pack on lap 3. Ulike last year, the finish line was moved a good 100 yards, which provided a long and mild downhill before turning up in the last 50 meters. Coming into the final turn, about 300 yards out, there was a wall of riders vying for good position. Fortunately Keith brought me around the turn and set me up for a sprint to write home about. It was long as hell but all those hours spinning throughout the winter sure paid off. While everyone was on my wheel and on my side I was able to dig deep and turn it out.
Thanks Keith and thanks NEBC for the support. I look forward to refining my racing and have upgraded to Cat 4. See you next weekend in Sturbridge/Palmer.
Jason