TN State Champs

Yesterday was a 143km (88mile) road race in the countryside outside of Franklin, TN. It was also the TN state championships and some big names turned out to play. Michael Olheiser, current World Masters Time Trial Champ, who would win attacking 8 miles in and soloing. The other big name was Dirk Pohlman (i think that is how it is spelled), he is a multiple national champion and is the current national champ. I hid at the back of the field while Krystal chased down Olheiser. The gap stayed at 30-60 seconds for the first 30 miles. Then the heat started taking affect as the helpers started to go out the back of the field. The gap to Olheiser shot up to 4mins and we would never see him again. With 60 miles to go on the 8th out of 10 climbs, Dirk made a move and 5 riders including myself, Matt Winstead, 2 Nashville Cyclists, and a guy with a go-tee (he was strong). We established a strong gap. Then I felt my strength sap from me. I sat on along with the 2 Nashivlle Cyclists. On the 9th climb, the go-tee dude attacked. Immediatley, the 2 Nasvhille Cyclists went off the back. I got around them and then on the descent one of the Nasvhille Cyclists bridged back up. On the 10th and final climb everybody sorta went at their own pace. Then it was 10km gradually downhill. I decided to lead Matt out for the sprint since (1. i suck at sprinting (2. he is a good sprinter (3. he has a 11 and i have a 14  (4.  did i mention i suck at sprinting? The cat and mouse tactics started and the last 1.6km I lead out Matt. That was brutal for me. I had to take it at a dead stand still and worked our way up to 30mph and I somehow, by the powers of the cycling gods, managed to hold that speed until 250 to go where Matt went for it and he got 2nd. I got 6th and last of the break. But I got an added bonus: the Tennessse State Championship jersey for cat 2!

David