Lago Day Two & Texas Tech HS Races

First off, all apologies to internet eyes for the delay in reporting MVC’s Sunday [2/28] successes – a high school race overall victory by MVC junior Justin Hicks and a 40+ Lago win by Patrick “Bling” Burke. Now, to the news.

Texas Tech High School Races – With great success, MVC and McKinney HS racer Justin Hicks made the trip to Lubbock to race in the Texas High School League events held in conjunction with the Texas Tech Collegiate races. Although Justin, a McKinney High sophomore, is not quite a year into his bicycle racing career, he raced like a true veteran in men's HS B division races in Lubbock. On Saturday, Justin won the opening road race and then took 2nd in the afternoon time trial. Justin then came back on Sunday and finished 2nd in the crit. And that placing secured Justin a spot on the top of the omnium podium!!! Well done Justin!

Lago Day Two: Lago Vista 40+ road race – As reported earlier, with the support of only 2 teammates, CP (Chris Powers) secured a fine 2nd place finish in the Lago Day One 40+ race. While 2nd is nice, 1st is so much better. So for Sunday’s 40+ race, Brownie switched over from the P 1, 2 and reinforcements were brought in from Dallas (Richie ‘Rocket’ Miller) and McKinney (Steve ‘Oz’ Weber, Brad the ‘Seabass’ Price, Patrick ‘Bling’ Burke and Doc). It’s generally agreed among Lago veterans that Sunday’s shorter 4.4 mile course is more difficult than Saturday’s 5.5 miler... less flats; less opportunity to rest and recover. With that in mind, the plan for Sunday was to constantly apply pressure to make the race as difficult as possible. The goal was to get 2 MVC racers up the road (ideally CP and Bling, the 2 best suited for the Lago terrain) and be sure someone in orange, blue and white climbed to the top step of the podium.

Ignoring CP’s suggestion that we wait a lap before we went on the offensive, Bling attacked as soon as we made the first turn and started the backside climb. While the Proactive riders were particularly vigilant at the head of the field, no one tried to join Bling... so he rode out front on his own for the first 3 (of 9) laps. When Bling was finally brought back at the S/F to start lap 4, CP immediately attacked. The field responded before CP could get much of a gap, so Bling punched it again on the back side climb, a move that really strung the field out and saw the first real race casualties slide off the back.

Once Bling was brought back, others from MVC took their shots. At one point, Oz thought he’d gotten in a move that could stick, but it too was reeled in. Then inside 3 to go, Mirage’s Tom Lattig took a flyer. Whether he was going for the win or simply trying to set up his teammate, the always strong Joe Howard, was unclear. In any event, Lattig’s move worked to MVC’s advantage. Lattig, a well known fast finisher, sapped much of his energy with his move, but we still had enough matches to burn to chase him without sacrificing our chances for a late winning move. And that’s just how it played out.

Brownie, ‘Bass, Oz and especially Rocket Richie (who took a back side hill long pull at one point) worked hard to bring Lattig back and to set a pace that otherwise kept the field in check. Finally, while tackling the back side climb one last time, Bling and CP got off the front with Howard, OKC Velo’s Peter Erdoes, and Allen Abell of Joe’s Pro Bikes. While those five worked well together to establish and maintain their winning move, Oz and Seabass followed wheels... specifically, Kevin Schaefer’s wheels, as Kevin fought in vain (and much to his frustration, alone) to bring the break back.

With 1.5 km to go, CP launched a move. Abel, Erdoes and Howard were forced to chase, while Bling settled in for a ride to the line. Then as CP was caught, Bling made his move up the left side and bested Abell, Erdoes and Howard (in that order) for a hard fought win. CP hung on for 5th while behind, Oz took advantage of a strong lead out from the Seabass to secure the field sprint and 6th place. Brownie followed in 11th, Seabass in 16th and Miller was 24th. A plan well executed; a reward well earned.