Race Report: 2024 San Ardo Road Race - Men's Cat 3
Race: San Ardo Road Race - Men's Cat 3
Date: August 17, 2024
AVRT racers: George Wehner, Henry Mallon
Top Result: Henry 5th
Course: Three laps of a 22-mile loop with a few small rollers in the first half, a pothole-ridden bridge in the middle, and a 3-5% uphill drag before the finish.
Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/12173365532
Nutrition: Two bottles of high-carb drink mix, one water bottle, and a few gels.
Race Recap:
Before every flat race this year, my goal has been to join a breakaway and hopefully stay away until the finish line. However, I’ve learned that the team dynamics in Category 3 races often make this strategy very challenging, and this race was no different.
There were a few solid attempts to form a break on the second lap, which resulted in a very hard 10-minute period. Unfortunately, George dropped his chain just before this action kicked off and couldn’t get back to the group on his own. The course features a short bridge with particularly rough pavement—especially on the right side—and a section with long cracks across the road that could easily cause flats or mechanical issues.
The finish was tricky, with a half-mile "climb" at an average gradient of about 3.5%, followed by a sharp, gravelly 90-degree turn and about 300 meters to the line. Knowing it would be a long sprint finish, I stayed patient at the base of the climb while others launched their sprints early. I was moving up to the front by the top of the hill, but a sizeable gap had already opened up to four riders ahead. I managed to break away from the rest of the field and started gaining on the leaders, but there wasn’t enough distance left to close the gap entirely.
Reflecting on the race, I realize I could have been in contention for a podium finish with better positioning and commitment in the final stretch. Every race is a learning experience, and this one reinforced the importance of quick decision-making and positioning in a chaotic sprint finish. Next time, I’ll aim for the breakaway just as hard, but I’ll also be better prepared if it comes down to a sprint.
Thanks for reading,
Henry Mallon