Race Report: 2023 Livermore Criterium - Women’s P123

Race: 2023 Livermore Crit - Womens P123
Date: February 12, 2023
AVRT racers: Skyler Espinoza, Alana O'Mara
Top Result: Skyler 1/14
Course: 60 minutes of a flat .94 mile, 4 corner crit course
Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/8551442066

This was Alana's first P123 race since upgrading to a cat 3 (she was a lil nervous) but I know how strong she is and I was sure she could execute in the race (even if she wasn't sure) so I was really excited to race with her since there were some strong women’s teams represented in the race and it was going to be impossible to win alone. Our plan was for Alana to try to neutralize strong attacks off the front and have me try the same tactics I employed in the earlier race of staying towards the front of the field and riding strong wheels.

During the first 15ish min of the race Alana was still getting comfy and I was covering some early attacks. After the first 10 minutes there were attacks all throughout the race! Alana really started to come through once she was able to maneuver towards the pointy end of the field we were able to be in constant communication, and decide what breaks to chase, what attacks to make others chase, good wheels to get on etc. When Alana got to the front to bring back moves she was unstoppable! It was so awesome!! With 5-6 to go I knew we could keep it to a field sprint and I would have a good shot for the win. With 1 to go I asked Alana to try to get to the front between turns 2-3 and drive up the pace but another rider did that so I got on her wheel and wheel surfed a bit between turns 2-3 and then attacked midway through the stretch between 3-4 to control my line around turn 4. This sprint was much closer than earlier because I chose way too big a gear and was grinding, and was being gained on by the field. It was really fun to be able to to get the win and convert on the great work from Alana! Alana had a super strong finish coming in 9th, and overall just crushed it throughout!