6/27 - Wheatland

Sunny skies and warm temperatures led to the decision to make it a long night - 45 miles of racing (5 laps). Half way through the first lap and Rick (SBR) and Deats (Dick Ide) had already launched off the front. Knowing their strength, I made an attempt to bridge up to them on the gradual uphill section. However, they proved too strong and I sat up after a few miles. As I was being caught, Brent counterattacked and took a few riders with him. The mix of riders looked promising, but the cooperation never fully materialized and they were brought back. A few miles later and Scott took off on a solo attack. He looked strong out on his own for half a lap, but the windy conditions and determined peloton spelled doom. Coming up to the prime on lap 2, Brent was aggressive at the front of the group and helped to stretch things out. Michel offered to lead out the sprint for me and hopped on Pete Hoag's (RUUD) wheel - a wise choice. Pete pulled a few of us off the front and ended up taking the points. I couldn't come around Michel and he held on for second. The prime split up the group and I soon noticed Burri (CNB) and Coyle (Nalgene) flying past me. I hopped on their wheel and Pete joined us. The four of us worked well together, and it was apparent that Pete and Burri are stong TT'ers. The gap was tenuous for the next couple of laps but we continued to work a paceline. We rotated through on the lap 4 prime without a sprint - we were all determined to make the break stick. We could see the peloton closing at the end of lap 5 and so we held off on the cat and mouse games until after the final hills. Knowing the break had some strong sprinters I tried to surprise them with an early attack. It didn't work and I was unable to catch back on. Pete took a well deserved win, Coyle was second, and Burri rounded off the podium. The group came in soon after with Michel showing some good form by taking the group sprint. All in all, a fantastic night of racing for Team Dorschel. See you on Parish Hill next week!