Wausau was my first ever Pro/Elite race. I was no longer playing with the boys I was going to work with the men and with it being over 100 degrees in the direct sun at race start it had the potential to be a very hard day at work.
The course was not well suited to my strengths. It had 50% two track road and 50% single track. The only thing that really slanted in my favor was the two kickers about half way in the race, typically I like to see those hills with some more single track and accelerations. With it being so wide open I knew it would be fast, tempo group riding and I had to make every effort to be close to front when groups formed. I've learned to calm myself this year in races and keep my energy low but being in with these guys spiked my HR to an amazing 152 before the race even started. I was either really nervous or really ready to go. The countdown started and I through all thoughts out of my mind. The start was blazing, as they always are in MTB races and it was so dry the dirt cloud formed to the point where the guy in front of you disappeared in the haze. Like the race wasn't hard enough I now had to work at keeping my eyes and throat clear of dust. A line formed and I worked hard to pick my spots one at at time. By about 1/4 way into the race I felt comfortable (in mind) with my position at about 20 spots back but was not comfortable (in body.) The heat was extreme and the pace was fast and I was doubting that 4 laps were possible. The first of the 2 hills approached and they were directly into the sun making even hotter but I knew I had to take advantage. I made up a few more spots and settled in for the 1st lap.
The 2nd lap was pretty uneventful. There were groups that formed and everyone pretty much settled with that. The biggest thing for me on the 2nd lap was I regained some confidence. I had recovered from the fast pace of the 1st lap and had a fresh cold bottle to feed on. At the start of the 3rd lap I found myself at the front of our group with Tyler Jenema right behind. I had a another cold bottle hand off and this one must of had some extra electrolytes because I found my 2nd wind. I started some tempo hoping we could slowly bring the next group in while also putting some stress on the guys behind. About 1/4 way into the lap I handed the duties off to Tyler J. and he continued the pressure and sure enough we pulled two guys in. We got to the hills and I continued with the pressure with a solid effort up both hills and noticed on each one I was spreading the group out. I sat up just a bit on the open flat to bring the group back together as I didn't feel that was the time to make a move. The group reformed with all except for the one guy I really wished was there, Tyler J, he flatted at the top of the second hill and his race ended just like that. (He fixed his flat and his brake, which was on most of the race, and finished the race like a true competitor.) I let a Polska guy set pace in the single track for the rest of the 3rd lap until the last small section where I jumped back to the front of the group. I put on a little faster pace through this section and noticed coming out of it I had put on a small gap. I grabbed another cold water hand off and figured as long as I felt good I would keep the pressure on.
At the start of the 4th lap I felt really good. Good enough where I was comfortable not being with the group and wanted to make them work to catch me. I managed to slowly put time on them and then the hills came again and I put in two monster attacks up them. When I got the straight stretch I didn't want to look back so I kept the pressure on. When I finally decided to look back I had noticed they were no longer in sight. This gave me another boost of energy and my mind changed modes to wheres the next group. In the distance I could tell there was a solo rider with a two digit number meaning it was a Pro/Elite rider. I was now on a mission to catch him. Right before the half way point there is a longer gradual hill and I stood the whole thing trying to put as much time on as I could. Coming into the last 1/4 of the lap I still could not see him. Then with about 2 miles to go I had caught him. He exchanged some encouraging words, (Thank Michael, it was nice to meet you and I look forward to racing with you again.) I briefly passed him and never looked back. Come to find out that was my most significant move of the whole race because it put me in the top 10. Coming down the straight stretch I had some adrenaline from seeing my family and friends and I finished with a monster sprint. My first Pro/Elite finish! I was physically toast but I was on a mental high. At the time I wasn't quite sure of my finish but I knew it would be top 15 which was completely acceptable to me. Soon after spectators and family confirmed it was a 10th place finish.
I could not of asked for any better of a day. From the excitement at the start, to the fun single track, to my fitness feeling great, to sharing the moment with friends and family at the end. It was a great day.
More action pictures to come from Straight A Photography.
Thank you to my wife, family, friends, and all my sponsors.
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