Hole Shot!
Boom Island is where it all started for me - my first cyclocross race was last year on this course. This Sunday was cold and wet. I rode the 30 minutes to the race followed by a few practice laps. With a couple technical sections, this course seemed to set up well for me.
I rolled up the start line and found FPA on the far left side. I geared down just a bit and got a great start. For the first time ever – I got the hole shot!! Going into the first turn I was in 3rd or 4th position with FPA right on my tail. We settled in and started to grind it out. The pace wasn’t fast, but I was sucking air anyway. I just kept saying to myself, “It’s only 30 minutes” or “it’s only a couple of laps”. I just tried to hang onto a top ten finish.
The ‘Pyramid of Pain’ was a cool feature in this race. I pretty much took the lines that P-Max showed us on the Wed. night clinic and was able to pick off a couple riders on each lap. Unfortunately, I gave back those spots on the front side of the course. When they finally posted results, my name was not on the list. FPA had already informed the officials of their mistake. (thanks Bro’) I finished somewhere near the top ten.
Regardless, it was a great day of racing. Got the hole shot. Rolled the entire race with a teammate. Finished well. Gave CJ hand-ups in his race. Great times.
Eric
7 Responses to “Hole Shot!”
You got the holeshot going into the first turn in 3rd or 4th position? And here I thought I had the holeshot going through that turn first….
You’re right.After riding that corner in warm-ups, I thought it was best to get around it without getting tangled up with other riders. Anyway, you had the better line and position. All props to you for getting the ‘real’ hole shot.
To me, being in the top 5 riders going into the turn is pretty damn good. I’ve never been in that postion before. Maybe I should have said “Hole Shot – Almost”.
Either way, it was a great race. Had a fun time. Looking forward to next week.
It appears the effort left you partially blind, as there were a couple of riders clear of you before you reached the turn.
No worries. It’s all about having a good time.
Ok guys!! I wasn’t trying to steal your thunder. Check this photo – courtesy of Skinnyski.com – you’ll see my Crossniacs jersey (through the arm of the rider in the red) in 3rd or 4th position. I’ll stand by that claim!! I don’t see any riders getting clear of that lead group.
http://www.skinnyski.com/racing/results/2007/photos/boomislandcx/IMG_7272.JPG
if FPA sez Eric got the holeshot, he got it. All the other riders were digitally cloned in via photoshop. I was there, second wheel. Nothing but blue sky between Eric and the course.
FPA
maybe Eric got the “wholeshot”
Eric, you and frisky both got perfect starts. My opinion, go for the hole shot, and if you end up in the top 6 or 7 riders, mission accomplished. Especially with conditions like they were. If you had truly tried to get it BABA and the other dude might have ended up next to you on the ground cause no one used their heads. Smart riding brother.
cj