U of N CO Criterium

Greeley, CO
Sunday March 14, 2010
by: Missy Erickson

The first crash of the Women’s Collegiate A RMCCC Criterium, and i wasn’t in it. Now that is a change from last year. My big ring might have some metal shavings hanging from it, but i finished the race, taking 2nd place.

I expected this race to turn out just like Saturday’s: CU vs my solo FLC ride. And it did turn out that way, but this race was also very different. It almost seemed like no one wanted to race. Attacks weren’t coming, and if they did, they weren’t launched very hard. It came down to a group sprint at the last lap, and coming into the last lap, i was sitting third wheel. A CU rider launched hard coming into the first corner, but it was too hard. The CU rider made it out of the corner, but with the UNC rider following her, launching into the curb, i was pinned on the outside between the curb and the rider.

This is where my ‘cross skills came into great help. I curbed it and stayed upright, getting myself out of danger with a few slides and skids around barriers.

I was quite pleased with my ability to stay upright, but i still had a race to finish, at this point, the CU rider that led through the corner and made it safely was gone. She had taken the win and was making her way around the course. I then continued my ride, with a SCU rider following me, but i maintained my position and finished as the 2nd place rider.

After my ride, i talked with our FLC Coach Matt Shriver and discussed the tactics of the race. It was again, another learning experience.

Our team did well this weekend. As the only female rider for FLC, it was hard to chase things down, and to cover myself from attacks, but it was great for my fitness. It is still early in the season, and there is a lot of racing left.