Race report writer: Luis Gomez
Race: Land Park criterium; two races, Master 35+ 3/4 and E4
Date: Saturday, March 15, 2025
LGBRC racers: Dan Scannell, Luis Gomez
Course: horseshoe shaped loop with chicane at narrow end
Master 35+ 3/4 race recap: The day started off chilly at about 45F but dry, despite the possibility of rain predicted for later in the day. The pavement, as dry as a previous night of rain would allow, got drier as the race got along.
With a field of 42 and various teams represented by up to 4 riders (Titan racing team, among them a national champ), the Los Gatos team of two was up against some unfavorable odds. The race started off smoothly, with all riders jockeying for position. However, about 8 minutes into the 40-minute-long race, a group of three led by the national champ shook the peloton and was able to establish a 10 second lead. So early into the race, surely they would be brought back in time, I am sure many thought! However, the other 3 Titan riders did a good job of discouraging chasers by keeping close to the front so as to respond to any attempts at bridging and, more annoyingly, by periodically moving up to the front of the group and slowing the pace.
15 minutes in, Dan Scannell moved up to the front of the group and I jumped on his wheel sensing a fire in him, perhaps edging him to bridge, but like many of us in the peloton he backed off after some time. At one point, sensing a dire situation, I yelled at another very strong rider and attempted to collude with him to bridge. He and I tried intermittently throughout the race; however, neither one of use was fully committed. In hindsight, I probably spent more watts making half attempts at bridging than I would have had I commited with this solo Cyclesport team rider.
I gave up on bridging with about 15 minutes to go; at this point, the peloton was about 30 seconds behind. I settled into the peloton trying to maintain near the front to avoid being behind the bike accordion at each turn and to be ahead of any possible crashes. Finally, with 2 laps left the pace increased. At this point, I was probably 10th wheel. In the last lap, I fought for position burning my last match. I remember thinking, “Just one more lap of suffering!” Out of the last turn, heading into the sprint, I popped out probably 6th wheel but could not dig up the strength to activate my sprint. Looking at post race footage from one of the Titan riders, I confirmed I had great position but zero sprint power and may have also been in the wrong gear during the sprint. Not the result I was hoping for, but still a fun race with no one getting hurt!
Elite 4 race recap:
The E4 race was fun in that there were a lot more teams present, but no one team outweighed the rest. Therefore, all else being equal, all 42 riders stood a chance at doing well versus the first race.
After the first race, and going into the second, I was now comfortable with the course, but I felt like my legs had little to give. So, with less confidence, I decided to roll the dice and take a chance on conserving more energy within the peloton at the peril of riding elbow to elbow with some much younger, less experienced riders as young as 14 years old! A little harrowing at times, with the peloton sometimes 4 riders wide; as it turns out, this allowed my legs enough time to rest and give me a couple of new matches to burn. I spent some of these matches holding good position throughout the race, for the most part trying to stay top 10-15 wheels, and spent some other matches keeping up with the front during some of the faster-paced prime laps.
Riding in the belly of the beast turned out to be a good strategy, as I was rested enough to make my way up to fourth wheel in the last lap. Popping out of the last corner, however, I was overtaken by a couple of riders. This time, however, I was geared properly for my last sprint effort of the day and came in at a decent 6th of 42. Though I should’ve fought harder for position into the last turn, I was gassed. Anyhow, not bad for a second race and, bonus, everyone came in safely!
Thanks and ride on!
Luis