Union City Time Trial
First: Jon Hart
Second: Jim Wueste
Third: Oscar Clark
After lunch and a few hours of lounging around the car, the crit began in the hottest part of the day at 2:15. The race was 45 minutes plus three laps, on a course that favored a breakaway. Oscar made his signature move off the line, attacking, to draw out the stronger riders. After a series of attacks from our team the race came back together for a few laps until Oscar attacked again drawing out a few riders. Thomas sensed that this was a dangerous move and bridged up to the break to offer Oscar some help. He might have pulled a little too hard causing Oscar and another rider to get gapped off eventually succumbing to the pack. Now it was up to Thomas and his breakaway companion to ward off the charging field as the rest of the team tried blocking for him. After a series of attacks from the team to try and bridge solo to Thomas, we eventually stopped trying because everyone marked our wheels. It was impossible for us to do anything without having the entire field chase us. As we watched Thomas' gap grow we started thinking about how to setup for third place. Joey nailed it perfectly by accelerating out of turn two on the last lap to hold off the charing field to the finish, once again we took first and third.
Union City Crit First: Thomas Brown
Second: James Holmes
Third: Joey Rosskopf
After a hearty breakfast the team headed back to Union City to tackle the road race, which was a new course this year. Due to the high temperature and humidity the officials decided to shorten the race from 91 miles to 68 miles which would alter the tactics. Oscar was on the hunt for the overall sitting 26 seconds out of first place, which meant the time bonuses from the KOMs would be critical for him. Joey, Thomas, and Jafer made sure nothing got away on the lead up to the KOMs and gave him a lead out for the bonuses. The first time up Joey went a little to hard and Oscar was not able to come around him in time and took second netting 10 seconds. The next time around Jafer lead Oscar up the climb but Oscar was unable to fend off the other riders and took second again. Oscar knew that he was still 6 seconds out of first place for the overall and was not content to sit in. A few miles after the KOM, Jafer attacked trying to establish a break but the right mix didn't form so he had to try a few more times until Artur Sagat bridged to him. Since the peleton was chasing after Jafer he decided to fade back and let Artur ride away. Oscar realized the potential of the move and countered when the pack absorbed Jafer. Once Oscar reached Artur they began to make time on the field and only one other rider was able to bridge up to them. Oscar's break gained about 15 seconds on the field but the break yo-yoed as the field chased then tired. With about 10 miles to go Ty Magner made a strong attack on a small roller desperately trying to bridge and Jafer sat on his wheel as Ty laid the hammer down. Now the break had grown to five riders with two riders dangling ahead of the field. The break waited for the riders to bridge before the pace picked up. Now, Oscar and Jafer drove the break to help establish a 50 second lead to the finish. In the final few kilometers, Oscar attacked trying to set Jafer up for the win but Jafer hesitated and Ty Magner took advantage launching about 500 meters to go. Unfortunately, the finish line came too soon and Ty held his gap by a fraction of a second.
Union City Road Race:
First: Ty Magner
Second: Jafer Beizer
Third: Chris Chotas
Union City Overall
First: Oscar Clark
Second: Justin Eppenbroc
Third: John Hart
Fourth: Joey Rosskopf
Eighth: Jafer Beizer
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