BRITEsport • Knights Ferry Road Race

Knights Ferry Road Race

Early form shines through at Knights Ferry Road Race. Naveen, Joseph and I met up at 5 am to drive all the way to Oakdale for our first road race of the season. After almost getting lost on the back roads to the start, we arrived in time to register and decide how much clothing to wear for a 33 F roll out.

The course was pretty straight forward. It was a 13.5 mile out and back loop, and we had to do it three times. Our field size was not bad for such an early season road race. I think we had 35-40 other Cat 3 racers. The first loop was non used to recon the course. We were able to see the finish area and decide how we wanted to work together for a good finish. This was my first Cat 3 race and also my first race with team mates and having the opportunity to work together. I love it!! After seeing the finish, we decided to try and set up a good finish for Joseph, our sprinter. My role was to make sure no breaks would happen without our team being a part of them and also start the lead out for Joseph at the end.

With about 4 miles to go one guy took off. I sat and watched. Then Mac (Ritte U23) took off after him, and another guy followed. I decided I better be a part of this and took off to catch them. Once I finally caught all of them we worked together to keep the peloton behind us. As we approached the final hill, I realized the break would not last. The peloton was gaining speed and before we new it, we were back in the group. At this time we had about 2 miles remaining and my legs were feeling it after trying to gap the main peloton. After we made the last round-a-bout, we only had roughly 2 k remaining. Naveen was sitting up front and in perfect position, with Joseph right behind him. Naveen took control and hammered it to the finish in hopes to giving Joseph the lead out needed for a good finish. Mac jumped as the hill started to the finish and was able to stay to away. Joseph used his lead out perfectly and sprinted to the line for a 3rd place finish. Naveen rolled in at 14th and I finished 16th. An awesome finish to our first road race of the season for Freewheel-BRITEsport.

Joseph shared his winnings with Naveen and I for our post race feast at Hula’s. Definitely a place we will be eating at again in the future!!

-Jason