I was Leipheimered, Nydamed, Jacques-Mayned (twice), bamboozled, horn-swallowed, pig-stuck, flipped upside-down, turned inside-out and spit out the back of the peleton like a greasy watermelon seed. Whatever I was supposed to have on the day, I didn't have it.
International pro cyclist Levi Leipheimer has shown up and won Copperopolis before, so it was no surprise to see him toe up to the start line for another 105 miles (5 laps) of suffering in Milton California.
Up the 1200' climb on the first lap, a midget in an Astana uniform flew past me and started laying down watts at the front and dropping riders. Including me. I managed to chase back on with the assistance of Canadian strongman Eric Wohlberg (supposedly retired). For the rest of the race, I was in a recovery hole that I never dug out of.
On the second lap I was dropped again on the climb. This time I didn't have a Canuk to drag me back to the ever-shrinking peleton. I chased like an abandoned dog for the next two laps and quit like a gassed fat-ass instead of doing a final loop.
- DNF, Pro 1/2 Copperopolis
On a positive note, while analyzing my power files, I shattered my personal records for everything from 1 second through 120 minute max watt outputs. Strong, but not strong enough.
- Ben Jaycques-Mayne (Bissel Pro Cycling)
- Scott Nydam (BMC Pro Cycling)
- Andy Jayques-Mayne (Bissel Pro Cycling)
Levi Leipheimer was DQ'd following a yellow-line infraction. Ironic, as the race promoter announced at the start line that the only way he was able to acquire the event permits this year was by having Levi attend.
Article was last edited on Friday, May 22nd, 2009 @ 1:26 AM
