60 guys on the start line for a 60 mile race, several have won jersey's before, including 2007 and 2008 winner Paul Martin.

For those that don't know the course, its a twisty 5 mile closed course loop in a large urban park in Louisville, there are several short power climbs, less than two minutes each, lots of up and down, couple of sharp turns, and less than 1/5th of the course could be considered "flat".

From the gun guys were going gangbusters, and one eventually got away within the first mile. He would build the gap up to a full minute over the first 8 laps, then he flatted and somehow the Shimano support vehicle missed him and he was done. In the meantime, i got lose at three times, once solo and twice with at least one guy. The solo effort was to test the field, and the other two were at 80%, but got reeled back in within a few miles. Typical of nationals, the field would chase hard, then sit up once a break was reeled in. If a break got more than a minute, it was unlikely to come back as a big gap like that requires concerted effort, and nobody's willing to sacrifice their own chances.

With 6 laps to go and the break back, guys started to play defensive and watch each other. I marked DeMarchi and Martin, and luckily nobody was marking me. after a hard attack by demarchi was reeled back i took off on the steepest climb and quickly built a 30 second gap and got out of sight. took back 30 seconds to the leader, but the gap stopped falling and after two laps solo i got pulled back in. rested up, then followed wheels into the bell lap.

attacks started about 3 miles from the finish and two guys got clear in separate moves. in a moment of indecision the field let me and two other riders also go clear. we rotated a bit but one guy was not doing his share. i attacked both on the steep 150' climb and got 10 seconds on them, then tried to hold it on the downhill to the final climb. the sprint starts here, one mile from the finish. i was cross-eyed going into the final 200 meters completely gassed, caught and passed one guy but got caught by two others right at the line. Nipped by DeMarchi (ended up 4th) by 0.30 seconds, and just held off Paul Martin by 0.00 seconds for the 5th and final podium spot. the winner took the win by 50 seconds.

next year i'll see about moving up a few steps to the top one. had the guns to do it, just misfired / not as lucky as i needed to be.

~ boots