Race Report: Cat’s Hill Classic Criterium - Women’s P/1/2/3

Race: Cat's Hill Classic Criterium Women’s P/1/2/3

Date: March 23, 2024

AVRT racers: Louise Thomas, Niky Taylor, Rachel Hwang, Robin Betz, Whitney Post

Top Result: Rachel 8th/20, Niky 11th, Louise 12th, Whitney 13th, Robin 14th

Course: 60 minutes around a 0.90mi crit course.  L shape with 6 corners and a punchy 0.05mi, 35ft at avg 11.8% hill max 20% (Strava), and a gradual descent to the finish

Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/11024423538

Race Recap (written by Rachel):

The starting line up included some very strong racers, including NCL team Denver Disruptors, Terun, Fount, Monarch, and others including Alto Velo.  I'm not sure what our strategy was going into this race.  We thought about marking different people throughout the race, and if there was an attack, to have at least one member in the break.  Beyond that, it was to have fun.  My personal goal, as always in a 123 field, was to survive.

I'm still trying to figure out how to keep my spot and how not to drop to the back or in the wind on the side in P123 races.  This race quickly proved that as there were a couple times I had to break so hard going into that uphill corner that I almost stopped, so following that, I gave myself 10 ft of space between the pack and me before going into the uphill corner.  I also think I chased down one or two attacks.  At some point during the race, I started wheezing really badly, throat half closed, and had to focus on my breathing if I wanted to keep upright.  Most of that race was me trying to stay with the pack and breath.

With probably 2 laps to go, three people launched it off the front, which at that point the field got stretched.  At this point in the race, there was only Niky and me left in AV.  Within that lap, Niky said, "I guess it's our job to chase."  I gave an unenthusiastic yeah and kept riding, wheezing and thinking of the end. With about a lap and a half left, Niky started pulling. I got on her wheel and did my best to stay on.  When we got to the hill on the final lap, everyone who was still in the bunch gave it all they got, including me.  I gave it my best up that hill, but was burnt and couldn't keep up the watts over the false flat, and watched a bunch of people pass me.  While I tried to keep on their wheels, they were about 3 bike lengths ahead and I couldn't catch up, so we all rolled through the finish line in that order.

Nutrition: 1 Sweet Treat Chewy Marshmallow an hour before the race (this isn't necessarily bike food but is the most addicting rice crispy treat ever), 1 bottle liquid IV during the race