This was my 3rd year racing the USGP of Cyclocross event in Louisville, KY. The first year I raced the event it was my first big national level race, and looking back I was completely overwhelmed. The race field was two or three times bigger than the Chicago Cross Cup, the course was more technical, and the competition stiffer. That year I finished in the 40’s both days of the Cat. 2/3 event, equating to a midpack finish. Last year I was more prepared heading into the race, and finished both days in the 20’s. This year I was hoping for another jump in my results, however the field this year was larger than in years past, with over 100 riders at the line. I knew I would have my work cut out for me.

Saturday I lined up second row, as the announcer set the scene for the start of the race. With lots of rain during the week we would be heading out into a muddy mess of slick rooted turns, sandpits and deep muddy bogs. This was going to be fun. The official then said the race can start anytime in the next 30 seconds, the whistle blew, and we were off. Down the long asphalt straight to the first turns, brakes squealing and everyone fighting for position. The first section of the course had a couple of tight turns and slick mudpits. This then lead to a straight right through the expo area towards the only set of barriers. Through this section I was sitting Top 15, and started picking off riders, and was feeling really good. By the end of the first lap I was with the group of riders fighting for 4-9th place, and for the next 40 minutes we would battle it out. Riders would attack, get brought back. We each had a place where we were fast. I was terrible on the green monster fly-over, but was faster through some of the turns and straights. With two laps to go two guys got away, and on the last lap, I was able to take advantage of one rider’s bobbled remount, and put in an attack. There was only one last mud section before the finishing straight, probably the deepest and slowest slog on the course. I could feel the two chasers breathing down my neck, but was able to hit the asphalt with a gap, and rolled in for 7th, completely spent. I was super happy with my result, and looking forward to doing it again on Sunday.

Sundays course was very similar with addition of an additional stair run-up, along with a faster start, followed by a muddy, tight technical section leading into the straight through the expo area. I was really nervous about this section due to a really slick mud crossing into a right hand turn. With no tight turns before this it was going to be a mad dash to get through first. Once again the whistle blew and we all fought to be towards the front. Into the mud, my rear wheel slips out and I am down. I get run into by a couple of guys, but jump back on the bike, and try to get through the turns onto the straight. I am sure it was comical to watch us get through this section, with riders hitting the deck left and right. Onto the straight I was probably sitting top 25, and knew I had to put in a big effort to get by as many riders as possible and as fast as possible to have a good result. So for the next two laps I buried myself and made contact with the group of 5-10th place. At this point I felt good, but needed to sit on for awhile to get recover from the effort. Through the tight mud section again and I was fine, but through the next off-camber 180 degree turn I lost it and hit the dirt. The rider behind me ran into my bike, and his rig landed right on top of mine. We spent a few seconds getting the bikes apart. I made sure my chain was still on jumped back on. I thought for sure something was going to be wrong with the bike, but everything seemed OK. While this was going on a couple of guys got past us. I tried to get back on the gas, but for some reason it just wasn’t there. I spent the next two laps riding the course like a rookie, getting passed be several riders. With two to go, I started feeling better, and put my mind to passing as many competitors as possible, and was able to make my way up to 14th place by the finish. This was still a great result for me, but after Saturdays race I was a little disappointed. All in all it the weekends racing was a success, and was topped off by getting to watch Tim Johnson ride to victory in an unbelievable show of power and technique during Sunday’s pro race.