Tuesday, May 02, 2006

Nalley Historic Roswell Crit

USA Crit #2
After an easy 1hr spin in Athens Sunday morning, I made the haul back towards Atlanta for the Roswell crit. After Saturday nights Twilight Crit, I was a bit hesitant to race today. But shit, what else do I have to do?
It was a dreary day, with the cloud cover threatening rains and storms most the day. Everyone seemed a bit tired before the race. Maybe it was from all the racing Saturday, or all the drinking afterwards; probably both. Showers were apparently holding off.

At around 6pm, the race started with Health Net’s Nathan O’Neill setting tempo on the front, daring anyone to attack. No one did. After about 15 minutes or so on the front, he finally pulled off and things started happening. Having no teammates in the race, it was another just sit in and follow kind of day. I figured with the presents of all the pro teams there wasn’t much for me to do anyways. Just follow the good guys. Simple enough right?The race was pretty uneventful with any break coming back within laps until about 20 minutes to go. Four guys got off the front including Tour de Georgia stage 6 winner J. J. Haedo (Toyota-United,) Viktor Rapinski (Colavita-Sutter Home,) Alex Candelario (Jelly Belly) and the winner of Saturday's Athens Twilight race Vassili Davidenko (Navigators Insurance.). In my book that’s a dangerous move, but it wasn’t my job to chase, so I just watched. Priority health and Health Net did a superb job to bring the break back just before the last lap. That’s timing if I have ever seen it. I jockeyed for position on the back stretch hill, and came into the last two corners 15th wheel. Too far back, but what can you do. I sprinted up to 11th, just meters behind the winner Gord Fraser. The leg speed is starting to come back…

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

That a boy murph, way to come around on day two. I hope the tendon is doing better and you are pumped for your second trip to Europe, James.

Brent Bookwalter said...

Yo Murph, thanks for the blog shout. good to see your gettin it done. are you doing any of the crits in SC?? i think i'll make an appearance on Fri. hopefully i'll see you there, and if not i'll give you a ring one of these days.

Anonymous said...

You're so awesome!

Anonymous said...

Murph,

It was good to see you in Roswell. Thanks for helping to make our race a success. You looked like you were riding well. Hope you had a chance to sample some of the French Broad Pale Ale we had on tap after your race.

MJ

Anonymous said...

did you make it back to belgium?????????