Martinez Criterium
http://www.martinezcelebratescycling.com/Criterium.htmlMartinez Bay Front Criterium
I was thrilled to be able to actually ride to a race instead of drive. Martinez is about 11-12 miles from my place, so theoretically that would have given me a great warm-up for my race. Unfortunately the Women’s 1/2/3 race was the last event of the day at 4:15p, and I’d already made the decision to arrive in the morning to watch friends compete in their races. But still it was great to leave the car at home for a change.And I was pleasantly surprised to run into Alexis, who was there for the W 3/4 race. She looked strong comfortably ensconced in the pack, and I know she will get even stronger as the season progresses. Way to go, Alexis!
It’s a fairly fast and technical course, with one small bump just after the start/finish line. With a decent size field of about 30, including Virginia and Kristin from ProMan, some Los Gatos Easton/SugarCRM and Velo Bello women, a couple Vanderkittens and others, I had a hunch it would be a challenging race. But I’m feeling ok once we get started—after my usual pre-race tummy ache—and decide that ProMan is what I should keep my eye on. After all, if I can finish near either Viriginia or Kristin, I figure I am guaranteed a good placing, right?
When Virginia initiates the break, I’m right there not too far away. I could kick myself for not going for it; in hindsight, I think I could have hung on. Or at the very least I should have tried. I guess it’s that confidence thing again. Afterwards, a few of us tried to bridge up to that lead group of about 4-5 but no success. So I settle back into the pack and wait for the finish. Once over the disappointment of my earlier hesitation, I still feel like I am racing pretty well. Then it comes down to the last couple laps… I can feel the adrenalin increase in the group as the girls prepare for the field sprint, things start to get a little bunchy… and it’s as if this mental road block happens, I shut down, back off and end up losing all sorts of position. I finish in the money, but just barely, and I know I really should have done better than I did.
-Rita
Race Reports
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
| - CCCX @ Fort Ord | 2004-10-03 |
| - Documentum Crit | 2004-09-26 |
| - Giro di San Fransisco | 2004-09-06 |
| - Return of the Jedi | 2004-09-04 |
| - Winters RR | 2004-08-28 |
| - 12 Hours of Humboldt | 2004-08-28 |
| - US Pro Criterium Championships | 2004-08-22 |
| - Corral Hollow RR | 2004-08-21 |
| - TransAlp Challenge | 2004-07-17 - 2004-07-27 |
| - Superweek | 2004-07-09 - 2004-07-25 |
| - Wine Country Criterium | 2004-06-13 |
| - Fremont Criterium | 2004-06-12 |
| - ICCC Dash for Cash | 2004-06-05 |
| - California Outdoor Sports Championships | 2004-05-14 - 2004-05-16 |
| - Sea Otter | 2004-04-14 - 2004-04-17 |
| - Pilarcitos Stage Race | 2004-03-27 - 2004-03-28 |
| - McLane Pacific Foothills Road Race | 2004-03-14 |
| - McLane Pacific Downtown Grand Prix | 2004-03-13 |
| - Land Park Criterium | 2004-03-06 |
| - Apple Pie Criterium | 2004-02-07 |