6th Annual Anger
Management Criterium - CBR BAR series #2
Race Report by Mark Campaigne
February 18, 2007
“This
could work”… At least that’s what I thought I heard Chan say
just two laps into the race.
Looking back I saw that six of us, sure enough, had a good gap on the
rest of the Cat-3/4 field. I also
noticed Phillip Gray and another Celo Pacific rider sitting at the front of the
peloton – obviously blocking for Chan, Blair, and I who were among that
lead group of six. We dug deep and
stayed out front for a couple more laps but ultimately the flat non-technical
course favored the chase group.
Having discussed it before the race, we had decided our
“strategy” would include swarming the front on the last two
laps. So it was now time to play a
waiting game. Blair did an
excellent job of showing the Celo Pacific colors by staying at or near the
front almost the entire race. As
the rest of us hung in the middle recovering from the early efforts, Stefan and
David decided to take the initiative with three to go and surged ahead up into
the sweet spot about ten riders back.
The move also helped pull me forward. Now one lap to go, I was in good
position for a hard effort, with Phillip not far behind me. Coming out of turn one I took the lead,
put my head down and decided to give it full gas for as long as I could. “Come on Mark” Phillip said
as he and two others came around me near turn three. I was toast. Phillip was gapped just after turn four,
but kicked it hard and was able to cross the line in tenth place. A great finish for the team in a race
where all Celo Pacific riders contributed to the cause.
Mark Campaigne (center), David Bales & Chan (far
right) - Photo by
Blair Burton (center), Mark (
David and Chan - Photo by
Mark (#343) and Chan (#378) - Photo by
Phillip Gray - Photo by
