4th place, that is.  Back at Collegiate Road Bike Nationals for my second attempt at the stars and bars.  Well, today was not the day, as I placed 4th again in the road race.  Same place as last year!    All things considered, I am quite thrilled with the result.  Although my legs are still significantly different in size, I am pleased to report that they seem to be functioning as a team.  I hope there are better things to come this season.

The road race today played out much like the race did last year.  A selection was made on a climb early in the race, and a break of 9 riders stuck it out through the rest of the climbs and the Masonville circuits.  We are in Ft. Collins, CO, by the way.  On the way back in, with approximately 3 climbs and a wild descent to the finish, to go, I decided it was time to make a move.  I didn’t attack as such, I just started riding harder, and the eventual winner, Carla Swart, was quick to respond with a real attack.  A small group of 4 of us broke away from the break, and stuck it out to the last climb, where things totally shattered again.  Carla and Anna from Harvard got away, with me in 3rd, and a Florida rider in 4th.  I got caught on the short, flat, windy section to the finish, and Jacqueline, the Florida rider, jumped me, as I was suffering in the wind.  I’d prefer a climbing finish. 

The University of AZ cycling team is doing AWESOME so far.  Chloe was right behind me and came in for 5th.  Erica Z finished in 19th, and Judy J was 45th.  All in the top 50!  The UA men pulled their weight this year, with Kyle taking an awesome 10th place finish.  Jon and David were also in the top 50, so we are certainly a big threat for the overall team omnium.  Kevin, Matt, and Jason also finished strong!

Watch out for some Wildcat results tomorrow at the crit and on Sunday at the team time trial!