A complete and utter disappointment. Everything started off well enough. I rode to the venue and felt nice and warmed up. I ate well all day and brought my new secret pre-race combination. My number ended in “9″ which put me right behind the called up folks. Everything was hunky dory. Even my start was good. I was well positioned in about 15th and considering the size of the field I felt good about that.
But then everything started to go horribly wrong. Normally on each corner I feel my tubulars grip and I feel one with the dirt, today my tire kept sliding out. Not a slip but a roll, my tire felt flat. I kept looking down but it seemed fine, maybe a bit low but not flat. This was lap one. For three more laps I’m uneasy, I’m losing position and feeling timid on the corners. Then on lap 4 it’s totally flat, rim to dirt flat. It’s a horrible feeling as the rim grinds over the rocks and bumps. I roll into the pit, change wheels and I’m off. I’m feeling a bit better despite losing so much ground.
I’m way off pace and can’t tell how far away I am. I do about two laps with my new tire when my front catches on a corner and rolls. I jump on and ride it with the tire going phumpf, phumpf, phumpf for every revolution. At the foot of the steps I decide it’s unsafe and stop to take another look. I roll it back on and head out. Timid once again I decide it’s best to not hit the pits but to just be careful on the corner. As I approach the pits I hear Dave yelling if I need a tire. What the hell, riding with the rolled tire sucks. I roll into the pit a second time, change the tire. (I need to file down those darn lawyer nipples because that along cost me two places)
Off again with probably 2 laps to go. At this point the race is a wash. Maybe I can gain one place. I see a guy and chase him down. I finish, tired but in no way exhausted. Just a downright lame ass race. Add to that the new pressure to not gain points for the overall team. Sorry guys, the technical crap today probably added a good 15 points to my place.
That’s bad luck! Hope it will be better next time. Chin up!