FSA grand prix

  

While I look like a total doofus in this picture, it represents what is likely my pinnacle of achievement this season.... Last weekend we travelled to Seattle and rode the FSA grand prix, Marymoor's stab at an Alpenrose Challenge type race. As this was one of the first national qualifying events, and a lot of money (for track racing) was on the line, a lot of heavy hitters showed up. We stayed with Craig and his roommate Adam in Eastlake, and envied them for their view of hydroplanes taking off in the morning. On friday I rode the pursuit, with slightly disappointing results. The weather was really cold and super windy, so my time was slower than my recent results at Alpenrose even though Marymoor is supposed to be about 10 seconds faster over this distance. This bummed me out no end, so when the Kilo rolled around I had half a mind to not even do it. However, I did, and with good results. My time was a 1.11.2 which put me solidly in the fifth position at the end of the day. And the interesting part was that the only people that beat me were pros (Brad Huff and Mike Friedman of TIAA-CREF, canadian national team member Matt Chater, and masters world champion Kenny Williams). Not too shabby! Results were celebrated with beer in the Marymoor beer garden, and with Craig and his friend Angelina at the neighborhood bar. Good times! As a side effect of this result I can now theoretically compete at elite track nationals in the sprint events. Muhahaha. Fools!