Finally some race reports

Well the past month has been very eventful on the racing scene. Overall I am very pleased with the results from the majority of races I have done. I have seven top ten finishes thus far this year and I am only 5 points from upgrading to a Cat 3 (the goal for the year).
The highlights so far have been my 3rd place finish in the recently completed (this past Sunday) Sonoma Mountain Village Crit and my 5th place finish at the Butterfly Crit in Pacific Grove. The Pacific Grove race was a fantastic course in downtown PG and combined with being able to visit good friends Stephen and Kristen in Carmel made for a mini vacation for Ramona and I!
The race itself was tough with an uphill finish, I pretty much sat on moves at the front part of the field to insure no one would get away. The average speed was extremely quick (26mph) considering there was a decent uphill in the course. I was a little to far back coming into the last corner but ended up getting about 8 guys in the last straight to get up to 5th.

The Sonoma Mtn Village Crit was another great course hosted by my race team. The course was at the old Agilent Campus in Rohnert Park. A break got away early but was slowly pulled back in and we then settled in with few break attempts for the rest of the race. With one to go I was mid pack, not where I wanted to be, but with over a mile to go I was confident I could get to the front in time to contest the sprint. The final straight had a s-turn a slight uphill and then down to the finish, I came into that part of the course on the outside and passed nearly the entire field on the outside as everyone squeezed to one side of the course. As I got past the field there was 6 guys single file just off the front, a quick hard couple of reveloutions got me to the last wheel as we hit the bottom of the little hill. From there it was out of the saddle hard to the finish, I got past 3 guys and came to the line together with the other 2. I could not tell what place I got as we all crossed the line within less than half a wheel of each other. After they reviewed the tape I was third, a little disappointed initially but after a few minutes I was ecstatic!
I have not won a race this year but I will before the season is over!!! Thanks to Ramona, my team mates and friends for all of your support!!!
Next race is Benecia Crit on June 27th come out and enjoy the racing!!
c ya,
Paul