May 22, 2006

S 1/2 - Niagara Classic Race Report by Eric Robertson So Sunday was the Niagara Classic, the King of all Ontario races.

Batty, Hunt and I were the Team R.A.C.E line up for it. Although we didn't have the numbers we still were making the moves like we had 10 guys.

I tried to get things going early after a suggestion from Buck to hit it hard from the gun after a bunch of attempts I finally got into a group of 5 or so that established about 45seconds on the 2nd lap.

Our group started having problems when guys couldn't take the pace off the front and started to sit on and then the bunch caught us about half way through the 4th lap.

Batty quickly jumped into the counter attack with two other riders. From what I heard after the race, Batty was putting the hurt on the other riders in the group...nice.

A group of 4 jumped on the climb to bridge to Battys group, I was positioned poorly but made a strong surge, crossed my eyes and tried to get across to the chasers. I was caught in no mans land for a couple km's before the shattered pack caught me. I guess there was some confusion when the chasers caught Battys group while they were catching another race and he was left out. So now we were in a tough spot. Hunt was popped when the pack split, Mark and I had some get up and go in the legs but we were now forced to chase.

Coming into the climb on the next lap I attacked hard out of the pack and caught my fellow Brantfordian Matt Kings, we hit the climb together but I dropped him fairly quickly. A group of 5 caught me on the downhill after the climb and we started to put time into the leaders who were shedding some guys. Our group started to fall apart after about a lap once the Spin12 ladys started sitting on.

Once we were brought back to the pack Batty and I had a little conference and we decided to for Batty chill out a bit and I would help him for a last effort up Effingham. The pack was still aggressive as guys who clearly missed the move started to attack to put up desperate final fight. A group got away on the last crosswind section, I got Batty on my wheel and hammered the gap closed with everything I had as soon as the gap was shut, Batty attacked and got away with a couple other guys on the rollers going into the finish. I'm not sure how he ended up in that group because the little stars were circling my head as I zigged and zagged my way up the climb on the back of the pack.

All in all it was a strong race for us and we represented the Team R.A.C.E jersey well with Batty and I really riding strong, the result wasn't there in the end but we put up one hell of a fight trying to get it. Mark Batty finished 12th and I (Eric Robertson) finished 37th.

I think I speak for Mark when I say we're on some good form and looking forward to Syracuse this weekend with the rest of the guys.

Eric Robertson