Oh nationals. This being my third National Championships and my second as a U-23 rider, I wanted to really test myself against some of the best in the country. It seems like I have had some of my worst luck just before nationals. Last year I was sick the week before the racing began and couldn’t ride, hindering my training just days before one of my big goals for the season. This year, disaster struck harder when I crashed on my face in a local criterium. As a result of such crash I came to nationals already licking my wounds. Now for the interesting stuff…well not really
Road Race
Pre-ridding the road race course the day before I felt confident that I would at least be able to stay in the peloton for the race. Maybe not put in any attacks but be able to help my teammates; Mike Stone and Neal Shepherd. As the race started I started to feel like it was going to be a rough one. Oh joy! After staying at the front for the first part of the first lap I soon learned that my knee was not having it that day. Getting out of the saddle was painful and simply not going to happen. I tried digging myself into the pain cave on the short punchy climbs but that was not to be. As quickly as it started my race was over. Disappointed to say the least, I quickly changed out of my kit and made my way to the finish to watch Mike pull off a killer result. 25th! After coming off a gnarly case of food poisoning. Overall Lupus Racing Team came to nationals already limping but I feel that we had good results given our situation.
Time Trial
Didn’t do it but I went to cheer Mike Stone, Neal Shepherd and Jackson Long (my roommate from Boulder). The guys rode their asses off and definitely got my respect.
Mike Stone gettin’ loose in the final corner
Elite Road Race
Lupus Racing had three guys starting the road race in Madsion. Brendan, Igor, and Oleg. All three have what I like to call old man strength. They can absolutely rip the legs off of anyone who dares challenge them despite being slightly older than most the riders in the field. I know, I’ve had first hand experience. The course didn’t really suit Oleg and Igor but they still fought til the end to stay in contention. Brendan had a case of bad timing when he became detached from the peloton at the top of the hill and dangled off the back of the field for a good part of the next lap. Fighting your way back into the peloton on a descent can only be compared to trying to escape quick sand. You are absolutely turning yourself inside-out to catch back on but the pack seems to be increasing the gap. Brendan, with his never give up attitude, finished the race and was promptly rewarded with a well deserved coke.
Criterium
Sunday signaled the last day of the national championships and what better way to end it than on a four corner, pothole covered course. As the race began, I quickly realized that I was destined for a pack finish. The one hill, or incline as they would say in Colorado, did not break up the race one bit. Sitting in was easy. It was purely a case of staying relaxed, picking the right lines, and avoiding crashes. Thankfully I was not involved in the large pile up that took down my teammate Neal. He slammed his wrist pretty hard but nothing too bad. I wish him a speedy recovery and look forward to racing with him soon!
All in all I had a memorable nationals. I can’t thank the Noonans enough for letting us stay at their lake house for the week and especially dealing with picky cyclists. In addition I would like to thank my friends and family for supporting me out at nationals. That is what makes the cycling bubble so unique, seeing people you haven’t seen in a while and reconnecting. And I can assure you the Lupus boys will be back on the podium soon!
Oliver Flautt 