Race Report: 2008 Portsmouth Criterium Pro-Am

As told by Matt:
Well boyz, I had probably the best race of my season yesterday. It went something like this...
Was warming up and got a flat. Was on my Zipps with tubies, so I was screwed. Rode the flat 3 miles back to the car and started begging for a front wheel because I did not bring an extra. Skip was parked right next to me, so I asked him and he was actually quite concerned and tried to help me out. Finally Bill Mark from NBX/Narragansett rode by me with a pair of Carbones, he gave me a front wheel with a nice Conti Sprinter tubie on it. I was happy.
The race started and it took about 5 laps for me to finish my warm up. I was in the last quarter of the field and started moving up. The course was tight (how I like them) with corners that if you have a good line, you can make it really difficult for those behind you. Finally got up to the front and stayed there the rest of the race. It was a CCB and Metlife affair. Many attacks from them followed by some excellent blocking. So I spent a lot of energy bridging when I thought the prospects were good for the break to stick. And that’s how I found myself to be in a break of 5 guys at lap 20 and the first prime was announced. At this point I figured that the break would be caught, so I gave up on that and focused on the prime. Just before the 3rd corner (the trickiest corner on the back stretch) I attacked, ripped through the corner, accelerated to the 4th corner. At this point, no one was near me, so I half-sprinted to the line (about .18 miles) to get it.
The break fell apart after that, so back to the field. More of the same, attacks, blocking, bridging, single file. Another prime is announced. Again, I am at the front (like in 5th), so I figure “what the hell”. This time I can’t get free on the back stretch, so I wait until we come around the 4th corner. Went right from the apex for a straight up sprint. Got the prime. Back to the field.
Skip starts getting active and is attacking constantly, as are some IF/CCB/MetLife guys and an occasional attack by Robbie King. Skip gets away (like 200 feet up the road) with 2 other guys. He stays out there 2 laps and they ring the bell. Prime number 3. There is no chance for me, and besides I am looking to recover for the finish. Skip is looking very strong and like he is going to get it, but his foot pulls out and he crashes. I find out later that his cleat pulled off his shoe.
So finally, with 5 laps to go, the field is all together. I am doing my best to stay at the front, but like so many of these “Pro” races the pace is so slow that riders are swamping me up the sides. So my 5th position turns into 25th. I am forced to put a lot of energy into bumping and elbowing and listening to pre-pubescent riders whine and cry, but eventually get and stay up there. With 1 to go, it got easier when the pace climbed above 30 (thank god!). Came into the last corner on Ward Solar’s wheel (who was on Robbie King’s wheel). Ward snaked though some traffic, which I got hung up on and settled for 4th.
So, for me, a very satisfying day and conclusion to the 2008 season. I won 2 out of the 3 primes and snagged 4th. Was active and aggressive and walked away with some cash. Now I will paint my house.
Full Results from the 2008 Portsmouth Pro-Am Criterium