Rutgers Day 2, 3/7/2010

Look at that sweet sunglassess on Garrett: Oakley Jawbone Glasses- premium eyewear technology from our valued sponsor, Oakley.

Day 2 of Rutgers started early at the Edison Diner- 2 eggs, hashbrowns, toast and coffee are the racing fuel of champions. We needed a good breakfast to help us navigate Rutgers' circuit race, an almost 3 mile loop around the Rutgers Athletic Center, pockmarked by potholes worsened by the epic New Jersey winter of 2009-2010. Hopefully that is over- these 50 degree days are a welcome relief from the doldrums of winter roller training.

Saturday Results Update (courtesy of John Frey, Velocity Results)

D TT:

Mark: 34th, 7:32

Robby: 46th, 7:41

C TT:

Rob 3rd, 6:35

Justin 9th, 6:46

B TT:

James 13th, 6:35 (holy crap I earned points in a TT!!!!)

Garrett 23rd, 6:43

D Crit:

Mark: 41st

Robby: 47th

C Crit:

Rob: 5th

Justin: 20th

B Crit:

James: 12th

Garrett: 20th

Sunday Races:

D: Mark flew around the course with a strong performance, staying in position in the peleton throughout the race. He navigated the course spectacularly, making friends in the D class. Unfortunately, he was swallowed up by one of the gaping potholes on the backstretch on the last lap, and took a rough fall. He bounced back quickly, and with no broken bones, he'll be back out with the team soon.

C: Rob Abramo and Justin Yeash. Both of our C riders are adjusting nicely to the rigors of ECCC competition! Rob and Justin held strategic positions in the peleton duringthe race, working together with other riders. Rob was unfortunately bitten by the potholes, flatting mid-race. With no free lap to change tires under circuit race rules, Rob unfortunately had to take a DNF. That hasn't discouraged him, and Garrett and I look forward to his upgrade to B's next week! Justin raced to an impressive 16th place finish in only his second time seeing the racers of the ECCC.

Noooo, not a flat! Snakebite....

B: Garrett and I refined our team tactics, navigating the peleton of the speedy B class. Making friends across the class, I'm developing a feel for having teammates in a race to work with, something that has only happened perhaps twice in my ECCC career. Chalk one up for Villanova Cycling! As many B races do, this one finished with an all out field sprint, everyone jockeying for position coming into the last corner. Garrett and I ended up racing up the sides of the peleton during the last lap and catching onto the front. Garrett was leading the pack coming through the last turn, and I caught onto a Dartmouth train- is an alliance in order as we soon will have 3 riders in B's? Our finishes were spectacular; myself in 8th place (aaugh, another 8th place!?!?) and Garrett in 18th in his first weekend in the B's.

Up next: Columbia and Stevens next weekend. Looking forward to some sweet accommodations in Harlem, a perfect race course at Grant's Tomb, some delicious Belgian Waffles, and a new Stevens course on Sunday at FDR park.