2009 Madera Stage Race Report

This coming weekend prepare to get ANNIHILATED! 3 days, 4 races, 1 shitty town...the MADERA DOME!! Hard core, non-stop Pro 1/2 racing action from Friday through SUNDAY! SUNDAY! SUNDAY! All your favorites will be there to fight to the death; Gravedigger, Bigfoot, Jacque-Maynes, Velopromo Rick and MORE!! Kid's super value seats are just FIVE BUCKS!! Adults tickets, only $72! This Friday though SUNDAY! SUNDAY! SUNDAY! BE THERE!!!!

Stage 1 - Ben Hur Hill Climb

10 miles, 1900' of climbing.

I couldn't hit a decent wattage to save my life. I suffered a thousand deaths the entire ride, and still turned out a terrible time.

Lyne Lamouruex, who took these photographs of the Uphill ITT was standing at the apex of a blind corner as I rode by. I didn't start my computer, so I had no idea how much farther I had to ride. I assumed she was at this turn taking pictures because it was so close the finish. Right? Nope, after blowing my remaining load thinking the line was only seconds away, I turned the corner and was punished with several more miles of the ITT, mostly uphill. 55th place, 8 minutes down on the G.C.

Stage 2 - Time Trial

Flat, 10 miles, headwind for the last half.

There was this huge machine along the course spraying the almond fields and riders with cancerous chemical. I took a deep breath as I rode by it and greeted with a sugary tasting coat. Once again, I was working like a dog a time trial, but my power kept dropping. When I saw the time of 24:30 (my exact same time from last year) flash up on my computer as I crossed the finish line, I officially retired from competitive cycling for a few pedal strokes. 47th place.

Stage 3 - Criterium

60 minutes of flat, wide open roads and no wind.

I was pissed from my poor ITT performance and ready to throw down. But so were a bunch of Pros far stronger than I. A small break stayed away until the end and I got out-sprinted by a girl. 28th place.

Stage 4 - Road Race

Rolling to punchy hills with a mile long section of the worst pavement in Northern California.

I started feeling frisky with 2 laps to go and began a series of many failed breakaway attempts. Just as I finished destroying my legs, Bissel Pro Cycling moved to the front and shattered the field through the mile of Nor-Cal cobbles. Ten minutes of biting my stem later and I managed to make the front group of 30 riders. For the remaining lap everyone was content with sitting in for the sprint. Unfortunately I left my sprinting legs back in lap 2. 41st place.