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Merco Credit Union – Foothills Road Race

Mar 8, 2010 Race report, Road Race
Posted by erik_camacho

• Category: M35+ 4/5
• Race Name: Merco Credit Union - Foothills Road Race
• Race Type: Road Race
• Result: Middle of pack
• Distance (miles): 48
• Average speed (MPH): 25
• Feet climbed: 1500

The Merco Road Race was my first big production race. There were a lot of pro teams and there was a lot of excitement in the air. The race itself was pretty calm, but there were a lot of blocking tactics going on teams would spread out and take up a lot of road to block people from trying to go around. There were a few break away attempts that were shut down pretty quickly. At about mile 15 the road was so damaged that it felt like cobblestone for a good 3-4 miles. Which was then followed by close to a 1 mile hill climb that split the pack on the first pass (great place to attack) followed by a quick 1 mile downhill. After the hill the pack dropped from 100 to about 60. Going in to the second lap I made a move on the hill and found myself getting blocked with nowhere to go. The rest of the race I hung out about 40th and at the finish line I advanced by weaving between bonking riders in to 31st. I was only 4-5 seconds behind the person that took first, but I could not advance any further because the entire road width wise was full. I should have jumped sooner but I missed the 1 KM to go sign.

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Erik Camacho