Squadra Coppi Tacchino Cyclocross 2009 -- Vincere Insieme

This weekend was the big Tacchino Cyclocross race, presented by Squadra Coppi.  This is a lengthy entry, but it will have photos, podiums, and inside dirt.

First, the dirty little secret is that the Tacchino CX was a hair's breath from not happening this year.  The fine folks at Ida Lee Park in Leesburg informed us that they weren't interested in our having our event there this year, and we were having a hellava time finding a new venue.  Then Jim McNeely stepped up, big.  Jim single handedly brought victory from the jaws of bitter defeat.  Jim did serious work to develop a relationship with the folks at Rosaryville State Park, which is a well known mountain bike destination (remember Jake and I went on New Years Day this year).  Jim also stepped into the position of "promoter" which means, he's in charge.  He did a super job of laying out the course with Ken (I couldn't get out of work to go help them) and really put his heart into developing an "Event."  He got some teams with tents to set up around the course; he scored a band and Belgian-esque food vending.  So we're were back in business. 

So, Saturday I went out there and helped set up.  The course was clearly "Classic Tacchino" -- fast, swoopy, with fast turns that dare you to not touch your brakes, while testing your fitness.  It's really interesting how the same set of people end up creating the same basic "type" of cyclocross course regardless of where they are.  Very cool.

We had a record number of registrants.  Last year we were in the upper 200s, this year we had nearly 350 preregistered, and that's with an unknown course.

As usual, the club as a whole stepped up.  For those of us who live for cyclocross to get the support of our teammates who are no so enlightened ;-) is a beautiful thing.
The officials had some last-minute changes for our course, so we're making changes as the Cat 4 race starts.  Causing Jim some headaches.

Ok, so my race, the 3/4 35+.  First of all, it was hot, damn hot for November.  Luckily, I had my short sleeve skinsuit stashed in my "race bag" because by 10am the sun was STRONG.  Unfortunately, someone was seriously injured (broken ankle) in the 9am race, so our race was delayed by 30 minutes (and I was the one who arranged for the EMT so I was running around a little making sure he was there).  But we lined up, 100+ strong (these photos by Joe Metro). with my series points I got a front row call up.  After DCCX I felt like I could stay with the front group if I could get a good start, and so I did.  I jumped off the line and slotted into 2nd behind series leader Jay Morali. I stayed on Jay's wheel for the entire first lap, much to the surprise of the announcers, I think. as a result I won a "Preme" for 2nd on the first lap...Ommegang beer (which I'm enjoying now; it's very good) thanks to them for the sponsorship  .  We had a pretty nice gap developing.

I was comfortable and felt like I could go faster but it was too soon to do so.  On the second lap I went to the front on the uphill on the "Back 40" and led for a little but then sat up on the gravel road to let someone else pull.  This was very "Euro" cyclocross, with real group racing at the front.

From them on it was a group of 6 or 8 but I tried to stay in the top 4 or 5 for positioning.
  We weren't given a lap card until 1 to go, which candidly took us a bit by surprise I think because the hammer dropped hard then.  Jay was driving it hard. 
I was in 5th behind Jeff Anderson and Scott Stahl.  
  After the barriers Stahl let a gap open to Morali and Sapp.  Jeff and I needed to close then but it was a bad place.  Instead, after the down/up in the back woods, Jeff accelerated by Stahl and I knew it was time to go.  I followed Jeff and shouldered past Stahl.  Essentially the first one to the maze by the pavilion would get to the line first, but Jeff was going all out and short of an all out sprint up the grass toward the pit I wasn't going around him.  I threw it in the big ring just before we hit the last turn.  I tried to launch down the hill but as I had predicted yesterday during set up, the first guy around that corner pretty much was guaranteed the sprint. 

So I was 4th, a bike length from 3d and 5 seconds from 1st.  My highest result in a MABRA 3/4 masters race.  I hate to miss the 3rd, but Jeff is a good friend and a tough, smart racer.  
 
My plan from the beginning of the season was to sacrifice Charm City and Sander to be strong at the end of October and November. So far that is coming around nicely.  At DCCX I got 7th, but felt like if I could have been in the front 5 at the start I would have stayed with them.  Today I feel like I proved that.  Podiums are fun.        

Now, for the rest of the day.  Loren brought Liam after Sunday school.  It was nice of her and great to have her there.  

We had some sausages and listened to the band before the Lil Belgians.  

JAKE'S RACE

Jake also had a great race.  His usual competitors, Noah Bell (who's dad races for NCVC) and Tanner Brown (his dad Bill Brown was a cat 2 master for Bike Doctor, good guy) were there.  Noah (13) jumped out to the lead, with Tanner about 50 meters back and Jake another 50 meters behind him.  When they got to the barriers on lap 1 Jake got close 
but lost ground on the grind back toward the pavilion (although passed lots of women)
  He was solidly 100 meters behind at the end of lap 1.  Tanner connected with Noah at the finish and I thought that was the end.  But when they came back out of the woods, Jake had closed the gap and passed Tanner, moving into 2nd and was moving fast.  Noah is a year older and always beats Jake and Tanner, but Jake had the bit between his teeth. 
Coming out of the woods from the back, Jon Seibold noted that Jake appeared to be closing the gap to Noah,   (that's Tanner down the end of the field behind Jake). But they were all balls out at that point so it wasn't to be.  So Jake was 2nd with a very impressive ride.  All 3 of them were flying and lots of people noted how fast they're going.  Expect to see them in a Cat 4 race near you soon.  (I'm not sure what the hats are).  Jake and Loren after, note Jake's helmet hair and the fact that he is damn near as tall as she is!!!!!


A nice day.

Comments

[jay morali]

Congrats again to you too! You were definitely strong out there yesterday and rode a smart race.

[Lee Anne]

OMG that looks like such a fun family day! We want Loren on a bike too!! hahaha I know, Loren, you don't do that! Atleast wear the outfit! hahaha maybe after Scott wins a few beers for you, maybe??

[Grandpa Jack]

I see Liam outfitted to race - how did he do?

[Scott]

Liam did the Lil Belgians; they don't really keep score but I believe he was 3rd. I had to run take care of Jake while Loren stayed with Liam