Team Quad

Andy is new to the team but not new to racing and contributed this report from the Cat 4 field at last weekend’s Nutmeg Criterium down in Connecticut.

Nutmeg Criterium Cat4 Race Report 6/13/09
Andy Tucker

The Nutmeg Criterium was my second race with my new QuadCycles team. The course was a 1 mile or so loop on a wide paved pedestrian path in Walnut Hill Park, in New Britain CT. The course was smooth with several gentle turns, a slight uphill on the back stretch, and a sharper turn before the finish. The course was made a bit more interesting with the bumpers of several parked cars jutting out into the path of the field, and the occasional fitness walker making use of the multi-use path.

Quad was represented in the cat4 race by myself, Nessim Mezrahi, John Buchheit, Kenton Eash, and Jim Gomez. We rolled off at a moderate pace, with nothing special happening for the first few laps – everyone just getting a feel for the course. After that the pace picked up a bit with folks testing their legs out, but nothing more than that. There were no significant attacks at all for the entire race. I took a turn pulling around the course for a lap and tried for a few primes, with Nessim helping me out for one. Unfortunately, my competitors had a bit more umph and were able to just snatch the primes from me.

With a few laps to go John B came around me and I stuck on his wheel. He brought us up towards the front and kept the pace high. On the last lap I was able to stay up near the front, before I got engulfed on the back stretch. I thought that was it for me when a hole opened up and I shot through it to jump on a line. We barreled around the last corner and I came around the wheel in front of me to sprint for a third place finish.

Overall the race was fun and safe. Thanks to my new team for the lead outs – especially John for sacrificing himself on the last few laps. Well done! And to Nessim – it was great racing with you and I wish we could have done more! Good luck in DC!

Results:
Andy T 3
Nessim M 50
Jim G 54
Kenton E 56
John B 62