Race Report: 2023 Livermore Criterium - Men’s E3
Race: 2023 Livermore Criterium - Men’s E3
Date: 2/12/23
AVRT Racers: Conor Austin, Josh Worley
Top Results: Conor (3rd/33), Josh (8/33)
Course: Flat 3-ish corner biz park crit with heavy winds.
Nutrition: Gu salted lime gel w/ 35mg caffeine about 10 mins before the start and used one small half-full bottle of water during the race.
Race Recep: This was Josh and I’s first race as teammates. After racing for a year and a half solo, we were finally able to convince Josh he’ll have more fun with a team, and what an addition he has been so far! Check out Nico’s Pine Flat E3 race report to see what kind of engine he’s got. American Muscle at its finest.
Livermore is probably as straightforward a course as we’ll have all year. Three wide 90 degree turns with a long bend many consider to be the 4th corner. Other teams were well represented and we had identified who their protected riders would be as well as who strong solo riders were. Our plan for the day was to sit in near the front and follow any solid moves that form but never be the ones to chase, close gaps, or initiate moves. We wanted a bunch finish where we could go for a win from a sprint taking advantage of another team’s leadout.
After going in circles for 30ish minutes with no moves sticking, it became clear that the well represented teams would just chase each other and their own teammates to bring the race to a sprint finish. Josh won a prime lap for himself and from there we were fine with sitting in and making sure we were well positioned for the finish.
The finish was a bit more hectic than we expected given how wide the road was. As we came into the bell lap there were 3 or 4 different lead outs forming across the road. Josh and I lost each other in that moment and were not able to lead each other out. We found ourselves on the back end of two different team lead outs. With three turns to go a group of three riders found themselves up the road with a gap. I snuck across the gap quickly without allowing anyone to find my draft and latched onto the small group. We hit the headwind with one turn to go and the field made its way back to us but was stretched out enough that I felt comfortable making a go at it from where I was. A lone rider made his way up from the middle of the field taking an outside line through the final turn and found himself right next to me before launching his winning sprint. I hopped onto his wheel in the hopes that he would bring me all the way past the two riders in front of me with enough room to spare for me to sneak past him at the line. It was not to be and I came across the line 3rd.
I should have hit the gas pedal earlier and gone for it on my own without relying on the drafts of others. I certainly had the power for it at that point and my sprint is in good form despite it being early season. Hopefully I can still find myself at the pointy end of things as I make my way up to the P/1/2’s!
Best,
Conor