Race: Michelin Classic
Date: 10-12-2002
Place: Downtown Greenville, SC
Distance: 15K (15 laps)
Category: Cat. 4 Women Crit
The Michelin Classic is held the second weekend of October in conjunction with the Fall for Greenville Festival in downtown Greenville, SC. In its 18th year, the Michelin Classic has become the traditional close of the road racing season in the Southeast. Top teams from around the United States come to race for a $10,000 Pro/1/2 Men's purse. The Women's 1/2/3 race usually sees the top regional teams as well as local riders trying for part of the prize money.
The course is a traditional 1km crit course through a downtown area. The start/finish line is located on a slight incline about 100 feet from turn one, which is open and wide. The second straightaway is slightly downhill with a tight line through turn two. The backstretch is up a small hill that is several lanes wide, leaving plenty of room for the action to get going. Turn 3 is wide and fast. Turn 4 had a few small holes in the road along the inside. The homestretch was wide and fast--just perfect for the action that would fill the day.
Nearly 20 Cat. 4 Women lined up for the 10:15 race. I knew that the pace would be high when I saw Robin, the eventual winner of the Southeastern Women's Series, and several other really fast women. No one had any teammates that would be of any assistance, so it was every woman for herself. Temperatures were in the mid-70s, but it felt like the upper 80's with the extreme humidity. This would be a factor for me later on in the race. On the starting line, World Champion Christina Underwood gave away a Fuji frame. With the starter's signal, we were off. The first lap of the 15 lap event was very uneventful other than people jockeying for position. One rider was very squirrelly. I tried to stay away from her as she could not hold a straight line. By the second lap, we had settled into somewhat of a pack. On approximately the third lap, the bell rang immediately for a prime. Robin and a few other riders moved to the front as they picked up the pace. I shifting into a bigger gear, so that I could keep up. Immediately, I was besieged by a VCD attack. I could not breath, but I managed to hang on for the lap. After the sprint for the prime, the pace let up a little bit, and I was able to breath normally for a minute. On the backstrech, someone picked up speed again, and we were off chasing. By this time, the pack had split into two distinct groups with a few people stuck between them. I managed to hang on the back of the first pack for another lap. I glanced at my computer, and our average speed was over 22 mph. I began to feel sick. The VCD attack recurred. For about half a lap, I chased desperately to get back onto the first group. Riders began to pass me. I realized on Turn 4 that I could not breath at all and that I felt like I was going to pass out. I sat up and brought myself back to a recovery pace. I had a tough decision to make-stay in the race and try to finish or pull out. I made the decision for myself when I nearly passed out onto the bike and bumped against the barriers. I was a danger to myself and others. I managed to find a crossing spot on the course and ride off. Breathing heavily and throat burning, I sat down. A few seconds later, a friend of mine was there to see how I was doing. Someone must have told the EMT's because one came over to me a few minutes after I pulled out. It took nearly 15 minutes for my breathing to come back down. I spun out for a few minutes and called it a season for the road.
I was very disappointed in not getting to finish. Something instilled by years of mountain bike racing is finish no matter what. Just stick with it and finish. It was not to be in this case. This was my worst VCD attack since Twilight in the spring. I don't know what caused it other than the really hard accelerations we put in every time on the back stretch. I felt good, my legs were good, and I came into the race relaxed and confident. Next up: a few days off before Cyclocross season starts!
Other Race Reports:
This past weekend, the Michelin Classic was held in Greenville, SC. The course was 1 km with a small hill on the backside and 4 fast corners. Candice Blickem of Cycles De Oro soloed to win the Women's 1-2-3 crit by about 30 seconds. Iona Wynter (Genesis) was 2nd, after putting up a valiant effort to chase Candice through much of the race. In the Men's Pro/1/2 crit, Greenville resident George Hincapie and teammate Kenny Labbe (US Postal Service) teamed up with the Fairway-Cyfac boys. They could not hold off Team 7-Up, who guided Oscar Pineda to the win. The Men's Cat. 4 race was one of the most exciting of the day. Russ (Reality Bikes/Homeland Communities) launched several attacks only to be reeled in. One break away almost stuck until the bunch came back together before 5 to go. Russ wound up 12th. The highest placed Atlantan was Eric from Atlanta Cycling, who was in the Top 5. There are tons of pictures on Cyclingnews.com. Alas, I forgot my camera!
Rumor has it the party at the Hyatt got kicking around 10 pm with a rather "happy" crowd heading out to dance later in the evening, including one little known person simply known as "Gorgeous George." Get well wishes go to the few Atlantans that wrecked this weekend. The course was fast, wide, and open-just perfect for wrecking.
Michelin was the final road race for most of the Southeast for the year. Riders' attentions now turn to finishing the last race or two of mountain bike season, getting ready for Cyclocross, or putting their feet up for a long, well deserved rest. Head to the Airport Ride, Tucker, the Coffee and Bagel, or other area rides. The darkness of winter is almost upon us. Check out some of the Winter Rides.