Race Report: 2025 Cal Aggie Crit - Men’s Cat 4

Race: Cal Aggie Crit - Men’s Cat 4

Date: February 1, 2025

AVRT Racers: Clark Penado, Michael Matthews

AV Club Guests: Daniel Choi

Top Result: Michael Matthews - 4/45

Report Author: Clark Penado

Course: 40 minutes of a fast paced oval with a chicane section including a mild hairpin and a few additional turns

Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/13513291238

Nutrition: 

[Clark] 1 caffeine gel before, 1 bottle of 30g of carb mix (probably didn’t touch it)

[Michael] 1 bottle with 140g of carbs in it, got ½ way through between pre and during

Event Recap: This was a flat and fast paced course, with winds blowing mostly in the north direction, creating a headwind through the finish line. There was also consistent rain, keeping the entirety of the course soaked.

Off the start Clark was able to get a good clip in, and opted to try and sit into the group as much as possible. While letting the group shuffle around him, Clark saw Michael move up to take control of the race with a few others early on. 

Our plan was to keep the pace high and stay safe by staying near the front of the pack.The first time through the chicane section was definitely a major test of braking ability in the wet. There were clear energy savings to being in the top 5 -10 riders through the first real corner. The group continued the pace from here to the finish line, and eased up after  a sweeping turn, resulting in a tailwind. This section of the road also contained a slight s-shape to it, which the bulk of the group was following closely on the rightmost side of the road. During this Clark noticed that it was possible to take a straighter line, which allowed him to move up quite a few positions while taking advantage of the tailwind here. Michael noticed that this was where moves were being made. But every move was tested once the group turned onto the start-finish straight and into the headwind.

This pattern of managing the chicane, pushing hard through the end of the lap, and utilizing the tailwind became a consistent pattern up until about 20 minutes to go where Clark opted to try an attack during the tailwind section. Clark was able to enter the sharp turn section first, but not long after was caught by the group. Michael promptly launched a counterattack, which he was able to leverage into a breakaway with 3 other riders. 

For the remainder of the race, Clark tried to stay within the front section of the race and cover any potential bridges to the break. Michael and the other escapees quickly got to working together to form and maintain the gap. This helped secure the breakaway sticking to the end of the race, allowing Michael to come across for a 4th place finish for the day. In the sprint, having been aggressive and active since early on, Michael didn’t have the legs to compete for the podium.

Although the weather conditions were far from ideal, this was definitely a type 2 fun situation where everyone was able to stay upright, while still moving briskly along the loop for the duration of the race.