EXP - Time Trial / Form - Hills

I was planning on reporting this race in one episode but...
Well, it's pretty self-explanatory why that didn't happen.

April 10-13, 2017 : Volkswagen Sea Otter Classic



I picked up my 1st professional stage win in 2014 and Craddock took 2nd in 2015.
Who's going to lead the team this season?



We can only bring 6 riders since two other races clash with this race.



Craddock gets the nod as team captain. I'll look for stage wins.

--- *** --- *** --- *** ---



I know this circuit like the back of my hand.



The only way to get stage wins is to attack! I learned back in 2014,
that if I could pace myself there was a good chance I could make this work.



Okay, maybe I got to far ahead of myself...
I take a turn way to fast and hit the pavement hard.



What are the odds, really? I comeback to the last stage I "official" won
(because my other wins were voided from PED use) and I crash.

It gets even "better"...



As I brush myself off and get back to feet, the race officials runs over my bike!
Seriously! How much is the UCI bribing these guys? I can't catch a break.

I spend the rest of the day in the peloton to avoid any more conflict.



The team had by back though as Craddock attacked on the next circuit.
He looked to avenge my blunder and to show up the race officials
for running over my bike just to mess with our team even more.



The race officials aren't even hiding their bias anymore.
Craddock is clearly being trapped in as he makes his way up the climb.

Craddock isn't putting up with it and punches the car window in.



One circuits to go and Craddock is still going strong.
All he has to worry about is Enrico Barbin closely in on him.
(And the race officials who are starting to get nervous.)



Barbin makes the catch as they reach the climb towards the finish.



And in heartbreaking fashion steals the win away from Craddock.



I ride home in the peloton licking my wounds, 2'22" later.
However, that didn't end the rein of terror from the race organizers.
We lose Bauman and Darville because they "missed" the time limit.

After the stage our DS approached Craddock and I and asked us if
we wanted to boycott the rest of the race because of what happened today.

I said yes. Lawson said no. Craddock is the team captain, so we are staying.

Welcome back to Monterey, California for the last 3 stages
of the Volkswagen Sea Otter Classic.

--- *** --- *** --- *** ---



Hopefully the race officials will leave us alone today.



Craddock has his sights set on yellow, so he has Berry and I pace the peloton.



Eventually, it's just down to Craddock, Enrico Barbin, and Gavin Mannion.
Looks like our pace making made the difference today. Makes me happy.



To the sprint! Can Craddock avoid the letdown like what happened yesterday?



Yes he can!



The 1st ever stage win for Fox Pro Cycling goes to Lawson Craddock!
(And the program's first ever yellow jersey!)

The only stage away from the painfully circuit that I'm get sick of completing.



I don't have much to aim for here so I was complacent with 35th place.



Cradddock's main rival, Barbin, is a terrible time trialer. ( +31" )



Lawson probably wanted a second stage win,
but takes 3rd and grows his GC lead out to 41 seconds over Barbin.

The final stage. If I want to make a move I have to do it here.



I got nothing to lose. So, I join the 9 man breakaway.
I'm still a little sore from my crash on stage 1 but the TT helped me recover.



The breakaway crosses over the 7 minute mark, Craddock is getting nervous.
Virtually he is about to lose his yellow jersey, so he decides to attack.



I get dropped from the breakaway with three circuits to go.
Soreness got the best of me, while Craddock is closing in.
Perhaps, I can protect him if he reaches me soon.



Well, that was the plan but Craddock can't make the catch until the final climb. And he brings along Barbin with him. The breakaway up front is going to win.



Chalk one up for Nick Van der Lijke. A surprise victory for him and his team.



I come home to take 6th! Craddock is right behind for 8th.
But more importantly...



Lawson Craddock claims the 1st Stage Race Victory for Fox Pro Cycling.

While Craddock gets all the recognition and the podium kisses,
I quietly jump up to take 11th overall on the final stage.

6th on the final stage and 11th overall after crashing on stage 1, +2 EXP.

The next race update will include stages 1-3 of the Giro del Trentino:

EXP - Hills, Mountains / Form - Hills (x2)