From The Peloton: Bill England On 'Toona Stage 5
0 Comments Published by Unknown on Sunday, August 5, 2007 at 6:25 PM.
Stage 5: Martinsburg Circuit Race
“I love this kind of racing,” Harm said excitedly, “it’s so dynamic and tactical.”
We were halfway through the first of three 20 mile circuits. Attacks were going off the front rapid-fire and just as quickly being chased down by the peloton. “Me too,” I said confidently, “love the dynamic and tactical...” ‘Hmmm, thinking to myself, nobody in the car believes that, better fess up.’ Timidly I said, “Not to appear ignorant, (though that’s just what I am when it comes to high level road racing) but I don’t get what you mean.”
That admission kicked off several days of pretty intense education on the subject, as Harm Jansen, Toyota-United team director, was kind enough to invite me to join him in the team Prius, and extra kind and patient to explain things to me. Repeatedly.
“Today’s race doesn’t totally favor any one kind of racer. It has climbs, but not enough to be a pure climber’s race. It might come down to a sprint but the right break could stay away. So everybody has a shot and sharp tactical riding can make the difference.”
“Okay,” I replied, “I got the part about the climbers, but what do you mean about the ‘right’ break?”
“One that doesn’t have any of the top GC guys in it, that doesn’t threaten Healthnet’s GC position.”
“What about that last one with six guys in it? None of them were high in GC, but it got chased down pretty quickly.”
“That might have been a good break for those teams — the ones in the break—but it wasn’t any good for us. Or Navigators either. Our guys and Navigators brought that one back real quick.”
“But why? If all those guys were low in GC, wouldn’t it be okay with us?”
“Well, it wouldn’t hurt us, but it wouldn’t help us either. We want a break that’ll make Healthnet work. If GC isn’t threatened, they can relax and save their energy for tomorrow. Which doesn’t really help us.”
“So we really don’t care about getting the stage win?”
“Yeah, yeah, we do want the stage win if we can get it, but GC is the real prize. That’s what we’re here for. That and NRC points.”
I got it at that point, sort of, and decided not to question further at the moment, time to watch and listen.
Race radio came through, “We have a group of eight riders with a slight gap. Peloton is not responding. Stand by for numbers.” Moments later we learned the break included Caleb Manion plus two Navigators, no Health Net. “This is a good break for us!” Harm exclaimed. Then into the team radio, Caleb, you have a 30 second gap and they’re not chasing. Full gas!”
Caleb continued to work well with the others in the break and drive the pace for the next two circuits before the other teams got a chase organized. In the final circuit cooperation in the break fell apart and so did the gap.
The break was caught with some 10 kilometers to go and the closing pace was frenetic. The last two kilometers were in town with sharp turns and a sprint finish that left the Toyota-United riders off the podium. Menzies picked up another five-second time bonus to lead GC by 24 seconds with five Toyota-United riders—Baldwin, Wherry, England, Manion, and Swindlehurst—in a tie for third place. The guys are swarming for an attack.
Tomorrow is the big day.
“I love this kind of racing,” Harm said excitedly, “it’s so dynamic and tactical.”
We were halfway through the first of three 20 mile circuits. Attacks were going off the front rapid-fire and just as quickly being chased down by the peloton. “Me too,” I said confidently, “love the dynamic and tactical...” ‘Hmmm, thinking to myself, nobody in the car believes that, better fess up.’ Timidly I said, “Not to appear ignorant, (though that’s just what I am when it comes to high level road racing) but I don’t get what you mean.”
That admission kicked off several days of pretty intense education on the subject, as Harm Jansen, Toyota-United team director, was kind enough to invite me to join him in the team Prius, and extra kind and patient to explain things to me. Repeatedly.
“Today’s race doesn’t totally favor any one kind of racer. It has climbs, but not enough to be a pure climber’s race. It might come down to a sprint but the right break could stay away. So everybody has a shot and sharp tactical riding can make the difference.”
“Okay,” I replied, “I got the part about the climbers, but what do you mean about the ‘right’ break?”
“One that doesn’t have any of the top GC guys in it, that doesn’t threaten Healthnet’s GC position.”
“What about that last one with six guys in it? None of them were high in GC, but it got chased down pretty quickly.”
“That might have been a good break for those teams — the ones in the break—but it wasn’t any good for us. Or Navigators either. Our guys and Navigators brought that one back real quick.”
“But why? If all those guys were low in GC, wouldn’t it be okay with us?”
“Well, it wouldn’t hurt us, but it wouldn’t help us either. We want a break that’ll make Healthnet work. If GC isn’t threatened, they can relax and save their energy for tomorrow. Which doesn’t really help us.”
“So we really don’t care about getting the stage win?”
“Yeah, yeah, we do want the stage win if we can get it, but GC is the real prize. That’s what we’re here for. That and NRC points.”
I got it at that point, sort of, and decided not to question further at the moment, time to watch and listen.
Race radio came through, “We have a group of eight riders with a slight gap. Peloton is not responding. Stand by for numbers.” Moments later we learned the break included Caleb Manion plus two Navigators, no Health Net. “This is a good break for us!” Harm exclaimed. Then into the team radio, Caleb, you have a 30 second gap and they’re not chasing. Full gas!”
Caleb continued to work well with the others in the break and drive the pace for the next two circuits before the other teams got a chase organized. In the final circuit cooperation in the break fell apart and so did the gap.
The break was caught with some 10 kilometers to go and the closing pace was frenetic. The last two kilometers were in town with sharp turns and a sprint finish that left the Toyota-United riders off the podium. Menzies picked up another five-second time bonus to lead GC by 24 seconds with five Toyota-United riders—Baldwin, Wherry, England, Manion, and Swindlehurst—in a tie for third place. The guys are swarming for an attack.
Tomorrow is the big day.
0 Responses to “From The Peloton: Bill England On 'Toona Stage 5”
Post a Comment