It was a small field, and we were the most represented team with 3 riders. Before the start we spun around the course and talked strategy. My plan was simple; I’m not an attacker, so no breakaways for me – just sit in until the closing laps. There was a head wind going up to the u-turn, and a tail wind coming out and along the finishing straight. So I figured that if you jumped at the right time, and got any gap going into the turnaround, no one would be able to come around you on the final straight, with that tailwind and the short length of the sprint.

Both Eric and JR were aggressive throughout the race; they were out in multiple breaks, allowing me to sit on wheels and let other guys tire themselves out. JR did some blocking for Eric, but nothing stayed away. The pace was fairly slow as no one really wanted to work when everything was together – that was fine with me.

5 to go, and the announcer was hyping up the start of the placings. I’m in the top 3 and sitting pretty. Someone attacks just before the start of the lap, gets a gap and we just let him go for 5th place alone. Almost the same thing happens on four to go, the big guy I was behind accelerates, and for a few seconds I start to chase him down, and then think better of it and let him go too. 4th place down. We start the 3 to go lap and now I’m in second wheel. The guy at the front has been working throughout the race, but still has enough left to keep the place high enough to discourage anyone from coming around us. I figure this is my time to go; I’m in the right position and Eric and JR are still there to go for 2nd and 1st.

We make the turn into the headwind and I just go for it, sprint past the lead rider, and am first into the u-turn. I have no idea whats happening behind me, don’t look back, take the turn fast but not pushing and then come out sprinting for my life. I kept thinking I would hear someone trying to come around me, but nothing happens. Near the line I hear a spectator shouting, “you got it!” and then as i’m taking the first couple turns I hear the announcer repeating my name as I ease up and let the bunch fly past me.

I spun around the course to the finish line just in time to see the final lap. JR is in the lead with Eric behind going into the turnaround, then a crash, and JR is on the ground as the riders sans Eric behind him fight it out for the win. Too bad, we almost took 1st and 3rd. A good day for the team and despite the crash JR still won most aggressive rider.

Date: 8/9/2009
Race: Howell Mountain Challenge XC
Class: Cat 1
Distance: 30 miles and 3,200+ feet of climbing
Place: 3rd

Well, I was looking forward for this race since April after I finished “Napa Dirt Classic” which is held in the same location and similar course but shorter distance. When I raced Napa Dirt Classic I was just getting back on the bike after been away for almost 5 months, and the result was awful. I finished almost in last place. I suffered the whole course and even walk my bike in some climbs. That was why I was thirsty for revenge with myself and wanted so bad to do good at Howell Mountain Challenge.

The race started at 10:30 am at about 85 degrees Fahrenheit, was hot already; fortunately the course is 80% under shade so that makes it a bit easier. All Cat 1’s 19-34 and 35-45 started together. I had a bad start, I was on the front line but I couldn’t clip in fast and instantly my gears start to fail. Finally I got into a gear that was working right and I was able to pass about half of the field before a short single track. This was follow for half a mile of fire road before a really steep hike a bike. I pushed really hard in all that section and passed another quarter of the field. After I mount back my bike there was a long flat section on fire road, I was on my red line just trying to get back my breath and swallowing the dust that I ate at the start. A couple guys passed me at a good speed and immediately I jumped on their wheel until we got to a technical long single track. I stayed on these guys wheels for about 20 minutes, but I was really paying for the big effort I did at the start. I had to set up on my own rhythm and let them go. When I started the second lap I was in about 8th place, I was feeling better, I took a gel shot a big drink and thought that the race was far from getting over and that if I pushed harder I could get back on the fight. I was by myself for
about other 30 minutes trying to have a fast pace.

Finally when I got to the monster climb, about 22% gradient, I saw a line of racers most of them walking their bikes up hill. I just down shifted to my small ring and focus on riding up my bike without stopping. With just staying on my bike I started to pass one by one even though I had to take the loose and rocky section of the climb. A couple guys that I know were surprise when I caught them back and just said “Antooonio”. I was super motivated, my heart rate was through the roof but I continue pushing hard and not looking back. The climb became less steep and I moved onto my big ring inspired (LOL). I started the last lap on 3rd position and I stay there until the end of the race, just suffering and hoping that any rider weren’t behind me. Was a looong last lap.

Here’s his recap:

Friday and Saturday I was camping out and moumtain biking in Downieville, so much fun but came back early so I could race this crit. I almost didn’t make it, for some reason I had it in my head that my race was at 2pm. (Note from editor: Always prepare by knowing WHEN your race is!!!) I had a leisurely breakfast, hang out with the dog, around 10:30 I start thinking I better check where this race is… Oh Crap! It’s at 11:45! Threw my stuff in the car, dammit, need to change over to the cork pads real quick, hit every red light in the city between the Presidio and 101. C’mon, c’mon, c’mon, let’s go!

At 11:35 I was still a bit away and I was very close to saying screw it and just go to the beach. Got there at 11:45 and luckily they were running late. I had just enough time to throw on the kit, my girlfriend pins my number (all loose and
flappy) and I rolled up to the start just in time.

After that the race itself was pretty uneventful. A non-technical course, which is not my favorite thing. At the gun I went straight through the field to get up to 3rd wheel by corner 1. My legs felt real funky for the first few laps, a few days of using different muscles downhilling on the mt. bike, plus absolutely no warmup. I just hung out in the top 10, no serious attacks went. There was one crash, but I didn’t see at all. With 3 to go one of those really ugly sounding pile-ups
happened right next to me. They were all gone the next time we came around, so thankfully there were no broken bones.

At the bell lap I was sitting 3rd wheel and someone attacked hard. A surge came up
the right while the guys I was behind slowed a bit, I squeezed through a hole to get 4th wheel. On the backside two guys counter attacked, by then I was second wheel. The guy in front of me was loosing steam, so I came around him and closed in on one of the attackers. At the second to last corner I passed that guy, caught the final guy, upshifted and dove into the corner and out of the saddle. Looks like a looooong way to that blue tent, halfway there, chin in front of the stem, upshift one more time. Amazing, I’m going to get it. So stoked. Passed the line with a big smile.