6 Sep 2014 USA Cycling Criterium Nationals

For 2014, High Point, North Carolina, played host to the Smart Choice USA Cycling Criterium National Championships. As the "Home Furnishing Capital of the World", High Point features a twenty foot tall chest of drawers. The building, originally the local bureau of information, now houses the humanitarian organization, the High Point Jaycees.

High Point's gigantic chest of drawers.

Mere blocks from the chest, in the heart of downtown High Point, the sound-funnelling, covered corridor along Commerce St. served as the start-finish straight, forming part of one of the best race venues I’ve experienced. The fast, flowing, six-corner course coupled with a competitive, high-class field made this animated, high-energy race one of my favorites of the season, accentuated all the more by the voice of Chicago-based announcer Todd Busteed on the mic. The field was dominated by strong teams from United Health Care (UHC), Colavita, Pepper Palace, FCS Cycling, and Fearless Femme, each fielding five or six-rider teams. Not wanting to miss out on the excitement, teammate Tiffany Pezzulo and I joined forces to form a two-some against the more sizable powerhouses.

Power-packed field. Photo by On the Rivet

With positioning off the line being no doubt an important factor in conserving energy in the initial stages of the 90-minute race, I lined up early to ensure a spot just behind the call-ups, allowing me unencumbered progress through the corners and rapid response to early moves.

Awaiting call-ups, ready to grab a good spot on the start line. Photo by On the Rivet

Within a few laps, Mary Zider (Colavita) attacked, establishing a good gap on the bunch. UHC quickly took control of the chase effort, establishing, over the course of the ensuing three laps, the entire team of six at the front of the bunch to reel in the escaped rider. Positioning ourselves just behind the train, Tiff and I awaited the catch. 

United Health Care with all hands on deck for the chase. Photo by On the Rivet

As UHC ever so slowly closed the gap to bring the break back in sight, a second rider leapt out of the bunch to join Zider. Progress unhindered, UHC continued to draw in the now two riders. As we neared the catch, I readied for the counter. With brilliant execution, UHC launched 2013 US Criterium Champion Alison Powers while the remaining five teammates spread clear across the road, blocking the response of any rider in the peloton. Zider, being in front of the blue and white barricade, was able to latch onto Powers’ wheel.

Mary Zider (Colavita) in the sites of the UHC chase. Photo by On the Rivet

The barricade caused but a moment of delay in the response from the field, but that was enough to allow Powers to escape from the bunch. Amy Phillips (Pepper Palace) was the first to extricate herself from behind the obstruction, me on her wheel, Debbie Milne (Finish Strong) in tow. After a lap on the front chasing hard, Phillips realized that Debbie and I were unlikely to help with the chase, being as we were from small teams, and gave up the effort. Powers and Zider disappeared from view. 
Eventually Zider dislodged from Powers’ wheel, no doubt spent from her gargantuan efforts thus far in the race. Powers, being the incredibly powerful rider that she is, took a bit longer to reel in. But eventually, she was brought into the fold. All further attempts to initiate breaks were thwarted and, with ten laps to go, the field was all together.

Tiffany driving hard. Photo by On the Rivet

Two laps later, the announcers rang the bell to announce a $500 prime. Sitting about mid-pack at this point, I found some clear road along the left side of the bunch and moved up swiftly on the back side of the course, thinking all the while that it would be really dumb to try for the prime given the number of strong teams in attendance. Approaching the final corner, UHC in control at the front, I threw caution to the wind. Not feeling any response from the field, I launched off the front and sprinted my heart out along the now seemingly endless start-finish straight.

UHC on my wheel. Photo by On the Rivet

I think perhaps surprise at my audacity gave me enough room off the front to prove triumphant over the line. But by corner one I had a UHC rider latched on my wheel, keeping me in check – which was, to be honest, probably unnecessary since I didn’t have the ability to go anywhere after that effort!

Checking out what's behind me. Photo by On the Rivet

I drifted to the back, concentrating on minimizing my efforts to effect a rapid recovery in the few laps remaining before the finish. Four laps to go and teams began to organize at the front, setting up their designated sprinter for the win. Three laps, a crash on corner one took down four riders, including top contenders Alison Powers (UHC) and Tina Pic (Fearless Femme). Tiff, her momentum disrupted by the chaos, found my wheel as I came past and we re-established good position amongst the jostle at the front of the race. One lap to go, I lost position and ran out of steam in the chase effort on the exposed back stretch, and limped in for twentieth. Tiff, fighting hard, managed to keep in amongst the finishing foray, sprinting to twelfth.

Tiffany keeping god company. Photo by On the Rivet

Claiming the championship jersey was the speedy Coryn Rivera (UHC) – absolutely well-deserved considering the amazing season from this young rider – followed by Erica Allar (Colavita) in second, and the extremely talented Sam Schneider (TIBCO) in third, Sam’s accomplishment accentuated by the fact that she was riding solo, without support from teammates.    

Coryn Rivers (UHC) claiming the win in front of Erica Allar (Colavita) and Sam Schneider (TIBCO).

To make the race extra special, Tiff and I were joined on the start line by Vanderkitten VIP rider Mollie Brewer who, being a High Point resident, was the local favourite. The race was exceptional for her, having upgraded to a Cat 2 rider barely a week ago and being only her second Pro/1/2 race.

I am grateful to Dave Schneider (TIBCO) for providing transport to North Carolina – driving 12 hours through the night to get us to High Point; Jimmy Campbell from On the Rivet Photography for amazing photographs of the race; Michael and Mary Brewer for wonderful host housing; Daryl at High Point Bicycle and Hobby for excellent attention to my bike, including straightening my rear derailleur which, as it turns out, was the cause of my sluggish riding at Gateway; and Mollie Brewer for being a fabulous tour guide, chauffeur, host, and teammate.