George Ganoung wrote Power-Tap
Fitchburg Classic Stage 2
Date: July 4th, 2008
Place: Ian 32nd @1:08, George 68th @ 3:23 , Bill 111th @ 10:43 (GC Ian 32nd @2:00, George 63rd @4:23, Bill 111th @ ~12:15)
Location: Fitchburg, MA
Course: 104 miles, 9 lap circuit race with several rollers and a long stair step climb each lap 60mph downhill, finish was on a 5km climb up to a ski lodge
The race: We decided that we were all riding for Ian today and the goal was to try to stay together for as long as possible and give him a hand where we could. Unfortunately, someone clipped his rear wheel on the first descent about 3 miles into the race and he went down. It was fairly close to the front of the field and I didn't see it, but Bill did and he was able to help Ian get back up to the front once he got things sorted out. The first 2 laps were really hard so we didn't get to do too much diagnostics at first, just tried to stay in. On lap 3 things let up enough, (still hard, but much steadier), that we could sort things out. He had a little road rash but the major issue was his shifting was messed up and he could only get a 19T cog on the rear and not every time. I rode behind him and tried to see if there was anything we could do, but it was clear the hanger was bent and we were concerned about messing it up more if we pulled over and had support fix it and there was nothing either Bill or I could do to help him (doing 70 miles on a wrong sized bike is not good). Ian decided to just roll with it and we toyed with trying to get in an early break to maybe get a little more "steady" ride up the hill each lap, but that didn't last long, I made one short lived move and Ian got in more promising one, but didn't work out and we opted for hanging in there. About lap 6 Ian had another mechanical and dropped his front chain, he couldn't get it back on so had to get off. Since he was already stopped he flagged down the neutral support and tried to get a spare bike, no dice but they did try to sort out his derailleur, but they couldn't do much. Ian didn't panic and worked back through the caravan and made it back in. On lap 7 and 8 they started to hit it harder at the front and Bill came off on the second to the last time up the hill and cruised in to finish well under the time cut. Ian and I both made it through to the base of the last climb, Ian with the main group, me in a chase group about 10 seconds behind. The race of course exploded at that point. Ian hung in tough for a very respectable finish considering what happened and the field quality. Overall this was an awesome day, I think we rode really well as a team with Bill and I trying to help Ian out as best we could and staying fairly close to each other, communicating well, keeping up with nutrition, and not doing anything stupid but keeping close together. I think Bill and I both gained a lot of confidence seeing we could ride at this level on such a tough course and to get a hard road race like that in. Honestly, I think my biggest issue at the end was mental and less physical and I kind of checked out at the base of the climb which may actually be good for tomorrow if I can recover. I have to give big props to Ian. I have ridden with him for 3 years now and this year he is at another level in terms of experience and fitness. ***