This Sunday kicked off my season opener for CBR racing. The cat III field was 30 deep. The weather - rain showers, windy, even hail at times. The course - as expected, flooded with water. The race began with some nervous joking at the line. "Why are we here?" and What are we thinking?" are just a couple of slurs that were being used at the start line. The ref says go and we did.

The race began and was steady. Just making it safely through the first lap was a feat to most of us. As the race progressed, the weather worsened. With the treacherous weather, no one cared to whip up the pace. As the weather continued to get worse yet, the race officials began to dwindle the time down. Fifteen minutes into the race two guys, from different teams, go on the attack. I see this as a chance to break away so I too JUMP! We stay away for a while. The group (peloton) catches us Twenty minutes into the 50 minute race.

Immediately after, one official calls out 6 laps to go!! Right away, a counter attack came that looked as if it was going to stick. The laps began to tick off, 5 to go, then 4 to go. Each lap we began to reel the three-man break in a little closer. With the prey in our sights, and the comfort of time on our side, the most shocking and unsettling moment of the race came when the race official yelled out "bell lap!!!" We now had one lap to pull back the break, which had a good-size gap on us still.

Going into turn one, Josh Kerr comes up beside me. At this time, I know if we can pull the break back I have a chance. Without hesitation Josh put the hammer down! With Josh's huge acceleration, we immediately cut the breaks gap in half. Coming out of turn 2 Josh continued to pull back the 3 man group with me sitting 2nd wheel. Josh would NOT quit! He continued to give his all to eventually get us with 20 yards or so, at the base of the up hill section between turns 3 and 4. GO!!!!!!!!!! I attacked! With the huge acceleration I immediately separated myself from the group and closed the gap to the lead riders. With 100 meters to go, I gave a quick check behind, clicked into a faster gear, and flew! I coasted across the finish with my hands in the air and what the race official says "at least 6 bike lengths on everyone else". With such great lead outs, there's no doubt I'll be at top all season. Peace.