This was my final race for the Masters Nationals and the one I had the most reserves for, especially coming off the road race sketchiness and the road conditions but to my surprise neither presented a problem. As usual I had a hard time clipping, a rocky mistake. I got thrown to the back right off the start! it was a fast start and it endured for the first 25 minutes at a blustering pace. Oh I did get back on the pack it was no easy fate. At this time the lap counter came up saying 9 laps to go, when we came back around it said 15 laps! When we got around the first turn the pace almost came to a stand still. I guess it threw off the race leaders, I was putting out rageous watts keeping up way above my FTP I was in TT mode. I was happy that the pace came down but that didn't last long as different races would launch an attack. The front would hesitate then it would be game on. I got sleeping and got dropped from the lead pack like a hot potato! So now I had to go back into the red zone to catch up! You would think I would learn from this, hell no I'm stubborn,,, this happened 2 more times on the time I did think I would get back on terms but I did there were 6 laps to go when I got back to them. I think the only reason I was able to come back was racing the TT, the effort I had to put out was similar to that. At 3 claps to go I was expecting an attack but nothing then on the start of 2nd lap to go would be the start of and all out push to the start, the pace did pick up. On the last lap was an all out push and and coming off the 2nd to last turn it was an all out sprint to the finish. If you weren't in the right position forget it! I wasn't nor was all the racers behind of which there many but they couldn't get around those a head. With all of us coming in together it was a mad house. Oh what I forgot to mention, another major issue that happened to me during the race about 10 laps in my handle bar became 25° twisted to the left, This caused my left arm to become super sore and steering around the corners super tough as well maneuvering around the other racers and not making excuses could be part of the reason I had so much issues stayin the wake of the lead racers. on turn one I almost took my self out as I was on the inside and to make the sharper turn radius I had to really lean into the turn, not realizing the barrier stuck straight out and not on an angle like all the other turns. I had upright myself and go wider then back into the lean after barely missing the barrier I stayed far away from it. This was a brutal 45 minutes of racing but full of thrills, danger, pain, pleasure, speed and a monumental adventure! Be safe out there, enjoy your ride!!! PS the Dura Ace rear wheel I used from Elite Racing Bike Shop was phenomenal, I would highly recommend them if you are looking for wheels, it may become my next choice too!