Race Report: 2024 Santa Barbara Road Race - Men’s Category 4

Race: Santa Barbara Road Race - Men’s Category 4

Date: January 27, 2024

AVRT racers: Kyle Fronckowiak, Jack Larkin, Henry Mallon, Steven Pelas

Top Result: Kyle 3/62 (overall), Steven 19/62 (overall)

Course: A downhill neutral rollout leads to three laps of a 21-mile loop with approximately 2,000 feet of climbing over the entire race (43 mi, 2,000 ft.). Rolling country roads throughout, including a short climb of about 500 feet on the southern section of the course. The pavement is in good condition for all but the western road, about a five-mile stretch that is beat up and has sporadic shallow pot holes. The eastern side of the course is a bit more exposed and crosswinds could be felt over the road. After the three laps, the finish for the course is up the same hill that the neutral rollout began on. Despite being in winter, the weather was almost a bit too warm at 72 degrees fahrenheit.

Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/10643122227

Nutrition: I used two bottles of Nuun electrolyte mix and carried a bar but did not eat the bar. I drank about one and a half bottles of the electrolyte mix. The race began at about 1:00 p.m., so I had an early lunch around 11 a.m. with a sandwich and some nuts.

Race Recap (Jack): Overall, I felt this was a great reintroduction to racing after the offseason. The course location provided nice sunny weather and with multiple laps, we were able to learn the ins and outs of the course and adjust. This was the first time that Kyle, Henry, Steven and I were all racing together, so it was a good learning opportunity. In a completely full field of 62 racers, I immediately felt it was somewhat difficult to make moves up in the pack with how crowded the road was. The pace surged quite a bit at times, lurching forward before coasting and using brakes. Our primary chance to attack came after about half a lap, once we hit the slight uphill on the course. Here, the group stretched, allowing each of us to make moves forward and try to communicate with one another near the front of the peloton.

After about 1.5 laps, all four of us had made our way to the front of the race, had separated from the larger pack behind us, and were in a strong spot to make a push in the final 21 miles to the finish. Unfortunately, the race marshall stopped the category 4 race after two laps to allow the category 1 racers to pass. This removed the advantage we had gained and allowed the entire group to come back together, once again crowding the roads. The group took off again, much more congested than before, and the surges that had been common at the beginning of the race returned again as well. Because of the close quarters, on the final climb, my wheel was clipped by another racer, sending me to the ground along with Henry. Kyle and Steven were able to avoid crashing and stay in a competitive position to the finish. Steven helped maintain a strong spot for Kyle, who raced up the small climb to the finish line to claim third in the race.

While I was disappointed to crash, it was a great opportunity to get back out and race again. I had a great time competing with my teammates and I’m looking forward to the next one!