Race Report: Land Park Criterium - Men’s Masters 35+ Cat 3/4

Race: 2025 Land Park Criterium - Men’s Masters 35+ Cat 3/4 

Date: March 15, 2025

AVRT racers: Michael Matthews

Top Result: 3rd Place (of 29 starters)

Course: Flat oval course with a chicane and only one corner that cannot be pedaled through. Head wind on the start/finish straight. Tail wind on the back straight. Cool morning weather. No rain, but wet sections on course from prior day rains. 

Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/13891888713 

Nutrition: ~100g of carbs in a bottle for pre/during race nutrition. Typical breakfast eaten before leaving the Bay. 
Event Recap: Decided late to do this race. Saw that the weather was going to be good and had already done this course at Cal Aggie about a month ago. Not a race day I was targeting results for and I was solo, so my plan was to react to any real moves, but largely let the race play out and take an opportunity if it was presented. I knew the turny bits at the top of the course better than most so was in the front 10 heading into the chicane nearly every time. Started to realize that I was carrying more speed than anyone else and creating a small gap each time. The group seemed pretty lethargic. I was first into the chicane on the first prime lap and decided to ride it out, taking the prime and seeing another rider trying to bridge, I let him latch on and we went to work. Soon a third rider was bridging and we had a gap. Party time. We went to work for the last 20 mins or so and the gap continued to grow. Eyes on the lap board (this time). Last lap. First into the chicane, then some leadout games. I teased out a jump from the Titan rider so that he would take the wind. When I went to come around him I dropped my chain and coasted in for 3rd. Time to get ready for the Cat 4 race! Rear puncture.