Race Report: 2024 University Road Race - Men’s P/1/2

Race: University Road Race - Men’s P/1/2

Date: 8/18/24

AVRT Racers: Andrea Cloarec, Nathan Martin, Flo Costa, Cam O’reilly, Andrew Ernst

Top Result: 3rd - Nathan, 4th - Andrea

Course: Many laps of this. Features include a climb and a descent, with not much in-between.

Nutrition: 2 bottles of mix and 2 gels.

Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/12181800640

Race Recep (written by Nathan): 

This race is always a tough one, basically being a battle of attrition for 2.5 hours to see who can do the most sweetspot-threshold intervals. This year was going to be tough, Mikes’ Bikes had Sean Bennett, Cam Piper, and Mattheus all lined up for them. Quinn Felton from Aevolo was there and Erik Levinsohn for Dolce Vita were people to watch.

The first seven or so laps were pretty tame, mostly just going up the main climb at a decent clip with a couple early attacks, but nothing super substantial. On lap 8 there was a dangerous move with Quinn and a couple others which we closed down on the descent. It’s often hard to get a move going early in the race as everyone is fresh enough to close any gaps on the descent, but that won’t be the case later in the race.

After they were brought back, Cam countered and had a bit of a gap for a couple laps before being chased by some Mikes riders. We then stayed together for a few more laps until on lap 13 Sean, Cam Piper, and Quinn all put in a dig and got off the front together. We didn’t follow them, so me, Cam, and Andrea had to do some work for two laps to catch onto them, with Cam turning himself inside out to bring them back.

When we caught them it was me, Andrea, Sean, Quinn, and Cam Piper in the lead group. We had five laps to go, and people would try moves here and there, but nothing serious happened until with two laps to go Quinn put in a big move at the top of the climb, but we were able to close down the gap. With that it became clear, this would be a sprint.

Coming to the bottom of the hill the final time, I wasn’t in a great position being on the front, but I wanted to try to keep a decent pace so attacks couldn’t go. Despite this, Sean would attack and the whole group surged to follow. Now with the finish line in sight, I was moved to the back and Andrea 4th wheel. When the sprint started, it was basically whoever had the freshest legs. Sean and Quinn jumped ahead pretty quick, with Andrea and I fighting and me finishing 3rd, him 4th.

Overall, another fun edition of University RR. It’s always really tough and there are so many point where you think your legs are about to give, but somehow finding just a little bit to keep going is always really rewarding.