MV at Fort Davis - Race Roundup

From the better late than never file.... My typo in the Fort Davis stage one report where our MV boyz (pictured here returning to their base camp) had such great successes – that “MV is not set to solidify its 40+ lead in the afternoon TT” rather than is ‘now’ set... unfortunately proved to be prophetic. Think Cash Racing’s Jack Stepczynski tapped out a blistering fast (37:15) TT to jump up to the top of the 40+ GC. Bling (Patrick Burke) also broke 38 minutes (37:54) to hold onto 2nd. CP (Chris Powers) came 6th with a 38:46 which dropped him to 4th on GC. Meanwhile, Oz turned a 39:44 that left him almost 4 minutes back of Stepczynski. (Meanwhile, over in the Cat 2 race, Deuce (Mitch Blackwell) passed 3 on his way to a time that rivaled Bling’s and that moved him up 9 places on GC. Unfortunately, Deuce overworked his back in the process and was a DNS on Sunday.)

While not pleased to give up the GC lead heading into Sunday’s 75 mile RR finale, that shift in the standings did allow our MV boyz to race the way they are most comfortable – triple aggressively! With Richie Rocket (Rich Miller) and Oz (Steve Weber) more than 4 minutes down on GC and the stage offering 4 major climbs, they were designated to blow the race up in hopes of setting up Bling and CP for a breakaway that would bring the GC lead back to MV. Richie Rocket did an amazing job keeping things in check and setting tempo, covering early moves. Then Oz snuck off the front with Kevin Barton of Joe’s Pro Bikes who was also right at 4 minutes down. Barton was the perfect companion for Oz because Barton did not have any teammates higher on GC and he’s strong.

Oz and Barton stayed off over first 2 of 4 climbs until mile 60, and had a 6:30 gap at one point which meant the field and in particular GC leader Stepczynski had to work while Bling and CP followed wheels. Over the 2nd climb, Oz stopped pulling because he knew he needed to be fresh to help Bling and CP if caught or ensure the stage win if he and Barton made it to the finish.

Back in the field, Bling and CP used the 2nd hill to launch an attack that only their stage one break partner, Mirage’s Joe Howard, could follow. Bling and CP were all too happy to have Joe come along – he’s super strong, a great guy and was lying 7th on GC, so no threat to Bling or CP’s placing. This threesome caught Barton and Oz on the flats after the 2nd climb at mile 60. Shortly thereafter on the 3rd climb, Barton who had been off with Oz for 50 miles, had to pull over and stretch to overcome severe cramping. The 3 MV and Howard pushed on over the top of the 3rd climb.

It was a super fast technical decent in the pouring rain and hail coming off the 3rd climb, but Oz gave it all to help seal the break for Bling and CP. These three and Howard continued to drill it through the next flat section to put time in chasers. Oz could not keep pace on the 4th and last climb, so he dropped off and waived Bling, CP and Howard to go up the road. At the top, Oz was caught by a group of 4 which had the race leader, 5th, 9th and 12th on GC. Oz followed wheels on the 4 mile decent and 4 mile flat section before the steep 500 meter finish. There, Oz snapped off an attack for 4th on the day.

Up ahead, Bling and CP reversed their stage one finish with Bling taking the stage win and CP 2nd while Howard again came 3rd. With stage finishes of 2nd, 2nd and 1st, Bling was your Fort Davis 40+ GC winner, while CP’s 1st, 6th and 2nd were good enough for 2nd on GC! Oz used 2 11th places and his 4th on stage three to move up to 7th on GC, the last paying place! Meanwhile, Richie Rocket, the ever faithful teammate finished 15th on stage three and 16th on GC. Congratulations boyz, you done MV proud!