It was a classic day for a classic race. The wind was howling at a steady 25 mph and gusting well over 30 mph and the planned roads were rough, wet, and dirty. Tom Mahaney had set up what was sure to be a true April Classic.
The team entered the Ronde to give the legs an early season test and analyze areas that would need work for the upcoming races. We wanted to be aggressive and be happy with the effort rather than worrying about placing. After the 25 mi or so roll out the race started abruptly and we had noticed we missed the start throwing out our early plan of sending me (Tyler) on an early attack. Two ACE riders shot off the front and started the breakaway. Realizing this quick I wanted to stick to the plan so I went to the front immediately and threw an attack in hopes to gap to the ACE riders. It didn't take me long to realize I had 2 ACE guys tagged on me like I was the donkey and they were the pin. I was pulling them to the front and I realized this would not be such a good plan especially if I reached the 2 out front as it would of been 4 ACE riders vs. me. I settled back in for 30 seconds and attacked again trying to ride away alone, another failed attempt. I even tried a 3rd time with no avail. We now noticed ACE was ready and it was going to be a tough day.
In a short version recap, Ron, Carp, Glen, Justin, and I were in the first chase group when we realized that one of the breakaways had a flat, it was quickly answered by an attack from a Houghton rider and followed by Matt Culligan. We now had 3 riders up the road. The chase group broke into two leaving it at about 10 guys. Nor long after Culligan rejoined the group and not far after that the Houghton rider joined up also when he came to a turn in the road and didn't know where to go. Come to find out at the end the 3rd rider in the break took a wrong turn so the chase group was now the lead group. Coming up to Spoily Road Grant attacked and the tempo was increased all the way to the top. At the top the group shrunk down to 7 guys, 3 ACE (Wes, Matt, Grant), 2 Culvers (Tyler and Ron), 1 SISU (Jesse), and unattached Houghton rider. At the top of Spoily, although gaps were created, all guys regrouped. At this point I took my chance at a flyer and attacked. I was able to create a gap and stayed way for about 30 min until I hit 94 and a dead 30 mph head wind. I realized fast it was near impossible to manage the wind by myself and dropped back.
The final stretch was brutal as the 7 of us fought to keep 14-15 mph. Ron jumped to the front of the group and rode tempo trying to thin the group and was able to cut it down to 6. Not knowing exactly where the finish was Ron and I had no choice but to be aggressive and aggressive we were. We threw countless attacks countering each other each time. The smart riding of ACE never let us get too much room and they all failed pretty quickly. With each attack failing and not knowing where the finish was we figured we would wait for an ACE attack and follow it home. Culligan did just that and I jumped second wheel followed by Grant and then Ron. Culligan had great legs and I could not match his acceleration. At the last second Grant rolled around giving ACE a 1-2 finish and I came in 3rd with Ron rolling in 4th.
We had nothing to be ashamed about as Ron and I were super aggressive all day and attacking at every opportunity showing positive early season form. ACE rode a smart race and Culligan deserved the win with the legs he had. Glen and Justin rolled in shortly after followed by Danny and Glen. Tim still in early season form rolled in at an easy pace in order to save fitness. All in all Culvers had a great day and we have a lot of information to work with to make us each better individually and as a team.
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