Nationals

This year has really flown by. Junior nationals is my biggest targeted event every year. It is exciting as racers around the country pack up their bikes and converge into one town to race for glory.

The road race was on Tuesday followed by two days off and then the TT on Friday and the crit Saturday.

The road race course was really cool. It wasn't insanely hilly but it had a good climb in it. It started in a local high school parking lot and headed out to the 3.5 mi loop. The loop started by going up 1 mile to the feed zone. Then it was a quick descent, a sharp left, and up another little kicker. After that it was pretty much downhill to the next lap.

The field was a little different this year. There were some of the favorites but there were also alot of new faces.

I was stoked to race. At the start they called myself and 5 other riders to the line ahead of the field. I have seen it done it the tour de France or pro races but had never experienced it myself so that was cool.

It was a neutral rolling start for the first couple kilometers. The first lap was slow. We spun up the hills and everyone was just trying to feel out the race.

The race wasn't super fast. All of the favorites stayed together and there were only a few attacks. Roughly every other lap I got a cold bottle from my dad and a nice dousing of water from Mr. Eddie Braga.

As we came around to two laps to go Alexis Ryan began an attacking frenzy. I knew she was strong and followed every move she made. We made it safely around the right hand corner into the last 3k of the course. We all looked at each other and started jogging for position.

ATTACK!! someone went hard on the left but it was quickly chased down. The group swarmed as we reached 1k to go. I messed myself up and was tucked into the middle of the field. I came through the final corner around 9th but managed to move up to 5th. I made podium but knew I could do better.

My teammates also did well with Tommy Lucas 8th (10-12) Stanley Goto 24th, Ryan Grant 38th, and Phil Kinney 43rd (13-14) and John Piasta 18th and Christopher Flanagan 4th (15-16). Nate Geoffrion, Sam Basseti, and Nick Kinney race later and finished 11th, 7th, and 83rd.

All juniors 15-16 and under had 2 days off before the TT. My little sister was sick and I was resting up for my next races so we spent most of our time chilling at home.

The TT course was 12K up a hill and then 12K back down. I had gone out and pre rode the course the day before but had underestimated the distance and was surprised to find that the TT course went 2k down a hill to the turn around.

I had pretty good legs for the TT. I started near the end of our field and I was stoked to go. I had started out feeling pretty good. I caught a few riders but was also caught by 1 rider. I knew I wasn't going to win but I felt like my time would be decent.

The way back was super fast (30+ the entire way). I felt like I died a little on the way out but I really regained my legs on the way back in. My time was 44min and some second in change. My time was good enough for 5th but unfortunately it got messed up and I received a different time and officially 8th place.

Another good All Sport/Team Swift showing with high placing throughout all categories ( we had 11 swifties out at the TT!!!!!!)

I was out for vengeance in the crit. Coach and I both knew my previous races hadn't really shown the type of rider that I am and I was ready to get out and race the crit. With a good race plan and good legs I was ready to go. I was happily surprised to get called to the front of the field again at the line. I was in the zone.

The race was either going 5 or 30 miles per hour. I raced at the front and followed all the moves. I was feeling pretty good but I knew that these girls were fast. As we reached 5 laps to go I began to get antsy. I was ready to go. I took a deep breath and sat in for the ride.

1 to go, 1 to go, 1 lap to go! I could see some people coming up my left. I made sure to stay ahead of them through the first corner. Attack up the hill. Summersby Jenkins attacked hard on the right followed by Grace Alexander. I followed the train and was 5th wheel. I was able to pass 1 girl but we were flying. The entire last lap was around 34 mph.

As we came around to sprint I was tired but I kept hearing coach Laura "grab the bars and GO!" so I went. I finished 4th.

Team Swift went on to get several top 20es in the junior mens field that were 60+ riders strong.

All in all it wasn't my most impressive nationals on paper but I gained alot from it. I have come away super motivated and ready to go. I have my new goals set and within reach.

Not only was the racing experience great but so was the team experience. For the most part it was a group of total strangers to me yet they welcomed me in with open arm and it showed that All Sport/Team Swift really is a very special organization and it made me feel very blessed to be involved with Coach Laura and the team.

Also I want to acknowledge the sponsors who made everything possible (ALL Sport, BMC, Squadra, Sidi, and Mavic) along with my parents, family and friends who supported me through the entire season leading up to and during nationals.

Thanks to everyone!

The Florida fall season is right around the bend. I am looking forward to racing hard and getting my cat up points to reach category 2. I don't have any races for the rest of this month but my mom has body building shows and my little sister has gymnastics competitions. Competing is in our blood!

I'll have some pictures up soon!

ciao