Maltese Race Report -- Heidi Wins!!
Report by Heidi Reijm
The Podium, Heidi Reijm, Deb Killmon, Xieyuo Fan. Photo by Anthony Skorochod.
The thing about the womens' 3/4 Maltese race is that it pretty much always comes down to the finishing sprint because riders either don't let any attacks get away or attackers don't work hard enough to get away. This was the case today as well. For the Kissena women's team, it was the first time we've really had an opportunity to race together with more than just a couple of teammates, and plan and execute some strategy. Since Stacey won this race last year, she practiced with us, giving us all kinds of tips and strategies for this race.
Brittlee and Heidi by Andy Shen/NYVelocity
The race started fairly mellow, making its way around the first lap. On the rollers on the west side, Michelle Hughes launched the first attack, helping pick up the race speed. As soon as she got caught, I attacked myself, trying to keep up the pace and make people keep working. A few people went with, but no one would arrange into a paceline to work together, we were bridged and picked back up. The rest of the race, teams alternated b/w attacking, bridging and then coming back together. There were a few gaps with one or two Kissenas in it, but for some reason the breaks never organize so each one got caught. Otherwise, the team did a great job of chasing attacks. Michelle H. and Kelsey did a lot of this work, often pushing the field's pace. I did my own share of chasing and bridging, but nothing that exciting.
Michelle Hughes by Andy Shen/NYVelocity
As expected, it came down to the final sprint. Near the Tavern on the 4th lap, the four of us worked on lining up and moving to the front. As we entered horsecrap alley, we were in pretty good position, thanks to the train. I stayed in the back, Kelsey pulled then pulled off, as did Michelle. Then it was just BrittLee who did an extra long pull. We were leading the pack. She was yelling to me that she couldn't go any faster and I thought she was saying she couldn't hear me, so I was yelling back, "just keep going a little more" please, (sorry BrittLee!) but really it was perfect. She pulled off about a 1/3 way up Cat's Paw hill and I sprinted the rest of the way. We were all the way on the left side, against the jogger's lane. After BrittLee pulled off to the left, we saw a MetroSanchez rider, Kristin Lotito, pull into the jogger's lane, go to the left of a jogger in the lane, and pass us and sprint ahead. She crossed the finish lane first, and I followed in 2nd place. But because Kristin went into and advanced in the rec lane (highly prohibited in park races) and several riders and witnesses protested, she got DQ'd and I was declared 1st place winner. Honestly, I felt bad that Kristin made such a mistake, as we are very friendly and she's a strong rider, but also feel like mistakes happen, and rules are rules.
As such, Kissena won the race! Thanks to the team for a great race and to everyone else for your support!
Kissena celebrates. Photo by Anthony Skorochod.
~Heidi
Aug 25, 09 | 8:10 am by Kissena #