The only things I enjoy more than riding my bike are 2 foot powder days on fat tele boards, mexican food, a good Shiraz and watching bike racing. This weekend was off the hook with displays of incredible power, patience and wizard like tactics.
**Disclaimer** These are only my accounts and I have the attention span of a brook trout. - Scott L.
Cat 1-2-3
Incredible race! Super fast! Josh Tack took a prem created a big gap with Seeley and were off the front. With these two away I knew right away this could stick. Then Brain Williams got a gap and Tamara yelled you got a gap go!!! I couldnt believe what I saw. Brain was able to bridge to Josh and Matt. Seriously one of the most impressive moves I have ever seen in Montana racing. Then the three worked together an were able to build to around 30 seconds and hold it lap after lap. The first time the peloton turned onto the finishing street and lost sight of the three you could just feel the dispair and the will being sucked from the field. Curry took charge for a few laps but was unable to make up any time. In fact the three speed up when they heard Curry had went to the front out of respect to his abilities. The sprint was out of hand. Brian Williams looked like Cavendish (seriously) bombing from 300 meters to take the victory. Seeley took second with Tack in third. Excellent race for NRO.
Masters -
This turned out to be an incredible race. At first, Eric Greenberg got off front and built a huge lead. I saw flashbacks to the Roubaix and seriously thought lights out, race over, how could you guys let him go? Then I realized there were some major players in the chase group. 4 out of 5 masters who will be competitive later in the 123 race. They gobbled up Greenberg in the nick of time and positioned for the sprint. John W. got into perfect position and with his sprinting prowess it was over 3 strokes in. Exciting race. Zellmer charged hard all race and Blair missed the break and was stuck doing all the work in his pack with no help and no chances of bridging.
Women Cat 4
This was a fast race. Joey and Ivy displayed excellent racing tactics. It looked like anyone in the first break Ivy, Lynette, Anna, and Joey could pull off the win. All very strong women. Lynette coming off a very impressive Cow Country performance was most comfortable in the front and was riding very strong. Highlights include Ivy's flyer that built a significant lead and looked like it just might stick. It became evident no one was getting away and it came down to a drag race with Lynette taking it followed by Joey and Ivy. 1st through fourth were separated by 1 bike length!
Women Cat 1-2-3
I can't recall who won the first prem Geraldine or Tamara but I do know it was close and it created a huge gap that no one could answer. Tamara and Geraldine traded work and continued to put more and more time on the field. Lyndsay Campbell was enjoying the ride in the chase group not wanting to help the chase on her teammates and was seen waving to the crowd and eatin M&M's. It was great to see the Prodigy back racing in Montana. Lisa again didn't have the team to ride back into the mix and you could see her frustration. People were on pins and needles- who saved the most matches for the sprint Geraldine or Tamara? Tamara rounded the last corner in the lead and started sprinting from the front. I saw that look on her face which always results in a W and her trademark sprint which would slay most men and easily took the win. Lyndsay Campell showed similar power -sprinting from the back of the chase pack 4 deep to take 3rd! 1-2-3! Nice work ladies.
Cat 4-5
This was awesome! It was so fast and it was the first 4-5 criterium I have been in that didn't have that accordian effect. The reason was the speed and the fact Big Bad Bryce was off the front within 5 seconds of the race. Jesse D. was able to bridge to Bryce without bringing anyone with him. Which should surprise no one given the size of his calves. Then the race was on for third. It was painful with constant headwinds and strong riding by the whole field. I saw my buddy Tyler creating a gap and thought about going with him and decided he was on a suicide mission alone in this wind and withdrew to the safety of my pack. That was the wrong decision. I know how strong Tyler is but to go solo into the wind and hold off the blood thirsty hound dogs as he did was incredible!! I remember leading the chase group when Jesse and Bryce came flying by lapping the entire field. It was like seeing a Hippopotomoose. My mind could not immediately comprehend what the hell just happened. These boy's earned their titles. The sprint came in mono a mono with JD taking the win ahead of bad Bryce and Tyler Smith taking third. Again 1-2-3 baby!!!
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