Day 4 of Superweek for the 4/5’s. I am tired but still pumped from yesterday. I just want to help someone win again. Again I think about the wisdom of our coach Randy but want to see how the body will react after 4 days of racing. I am done after today until Evanston. This will be the biggest field for the 4/5’s so far. And the plan again is to string it out from the start and see who is left in the pack. The turns out and into the parking lots were a little rough so I wanted to stay up front to avoid any crashes and make any breaks.

The race started fast Dave Moyer and Alberto did there shared of the work up front in the beginning. I even jumped up for a lap to see how to take those two turns at speed. Then I told Dave and some others on the team to let other do some work. We sat back but always held on to good positions. Surprisingly enough I felt strong after the race got going, even though I though I was wiped from the previous days. I was even calling out some shading riding by guys in the pack. I know Dave got a kick out of that.

With ten laps to go, Andrew from Pegasus attacks. A strong rider and newfound friend of xXxer’s. This really got the pack excited and move. Then Tati rider cuts the inside corner with no room and a big crash just before the parking lot. I had just eased up to get some recovery in and was in the middle of the pack. There were guys going down all around me. I don’t know how I was not swept out. I was braking and sliding and being pushed right into a barricade. But still on two wheels. I then seen and opening in the fence and barricade. And was able to get to it. Chris MacFarland came up so fast on me and ran right in to the barricade, thanks for steering right and not into me. Another member of the team ran into the fence on my left. I squeaked through the opening and on to the grass. Thanks to I think some mountain bike skills I have acquired. I then ride about 50 yds on the grass, then to the sidewalk, and then the street and the chase is back on. But the attack prior to the crash was long gone. I am trying to get guys to work to get back up but no one is riding strong. I am not letting them get away. There is only about five in the lead group. I want sixth. I catch a group of five but only one in the group is working with me. We decide to work together and share the workload. We are both pumped and working hard. As we catch people we warn them we are coming but they do not are cannot stay on. I feel great and in control. We continue to eat people up and spit them out. But where are there coming from? Oh no I did it again. I am no longer thankful for the mountain bike skills. If only I would have hit the pavement, fence, or barricade softly or even spilled in the grass I would have gotten a free lap. That is twice I lost staying in the break because of adrenaline and inexperience. Take the free lap Mike. There is now a note on my bars. This cannot happen again. I was now mad because I thought I was racing well, and I was but just make a tactical mistake. Now it is no longer a race for 6th, it is a race against the man I had just been working with for the last six laps. I feel comfortable going into the turns at speed so I plan to take him just before the parking lot. It works. I beat him to the line and come across confident in my strength, ability to read and help control the race, and the effort I put out, but am discussed with my inexperience. I am ecstatic that we got another win. Dave Moyer you are looking strong. It was another great effort by xXx Racing/AlthetiCo. Everyone worked up front and we got the win. I am going to rest for a couple of days and then Evanston here I coming.