Johnson City Race Report

This past weekend took the team to Elizabethton and Johnson City for one of the region's big races: the Roan Groan, finishing on top of Roan Mountain at 6285'! The weekend was an "omnium" or mini stage race, starting with the road race, then continuing with a short time trial Saturday and a criterium Sunday. All of the region's big teams showed up, including Globalbike, DIY/Chainheart, and pros from BMC and Kenda. Definitely the most "stacked" field I've seen in my 5 years here. We brought Caleb, our new climber addition, Tim (straight off the plane from South Africa), Matt Dinsmore, Dylan and myself.

Saturday's course was the classic road race course, beginning with a wide open start on the highway before turning onto the hilly loop that extends the course about 25 miles for the Pro/1/2 field. The plan was to get Matt, Dylan or Tim in the early move and then follow any counter attacks while Caleb sat on my wheel as I shepherded him through the field, waiting for the final climb. The plan began perfectly as early attacks by DIY and Globalbike turned into a break of about 10 riders, including Matt. The break's advantage grew to 2 minutes on the hilly loop as Dylan and Tim patrolled the front of the field. As we turned back onto the highway for the final approach to the mountain, the field was strung out. Tim and Dylan hit the front, causing gaps to open behind and I followed an attack to form a small breakaway as Caleb bridged up from behind with pros Bobby Sweeting from Kenda, BMC, and riders from DIY and Globalbike. The race was on and I drove the break as hard as I could going into the climb, instructing Caleb to rest up for the 9 mile ascent ahead. He did just that as we closed the gap from 2 minutes down to 60s. I waved goodbye to the group as we hit the climb and watched the fireworks from afar as Caleb rode superbly to finish as 5th cat. 2 in his "first hilly race"!

After the time trial, Caleb sat top 15 in the overall (pros, 1s, 2s) going into the criterium, but the team decided to ride for a result on the day. The race course was a technical 7 corner course in downtown Johnson City that was suited for about 20 riders, not the close to 100 that lined up! The race started off fast as riders jockeyed for position going into the alley on the backside of the course. Riders were going through the tight single-file turns THREE abreast, fighting for position like it was the Tour de France. As riders got shed out the back and started to tire, a crash took out the back half of the field. The officials "kindly" put these dropped riders back into the main group! Caleb and I fought for position as riders tired and popped off the back and left open gaps. Caleb bravely attacked about halfway through the race, only to be reeled in by a mighty Globalbike team looking to defend there rider in the overall. I hung tight and slowly worked my way up to the top 10 with 2 laps to go, only to be taken out of contention with 2 corners remaining as a sketchy rider went down in the sweeping turn on the backside of the course. While I didn't go down I came to a dead stop trying to avoid turning him into road kill! While Sunday didn't end as planned, the team road superbly and our new, young riders are showing not only their potential, but their willingness to work together and sacrifice for one another.

Thanks to all our sponsors who make this possible, and check out pictures from the weekend here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/julieelliott/sets/72157629991189863/with/7339379338/