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Hagarstown Breast Cancer Awareness CX.

By Marc and Darren
Stop 3 in the dusty, sweltering MABRA cross series took us to Hagerstown
for the breast cancer awareness CX.
http://www.midatlanticcross.info/Results/2007/BCA.htm
The fields sizes were a bit more manageable but still healthy in the 3rd
of 7 MABRA races. The course had a number of 180 deg turns, a lot of
off-camber, and a rideable sandy section.

Marc and Chris stepped up and raced the elite 1,2 race

With Darren doing his second ever cross race, the CAT 4 race

Marc did very really well, and actually paced himself on target to pass some really fast guys that he doesn’t usually beat. Marc was thriving in the heat better then others. All the racers looked haggard, Marc seemed not to get slower as the race progressed, but kept a consistent pace. Marc ended up finishing in 10th place, that being 1st for the masters’ A class. Chris was hanging strong and gave a couple of smiles so he was at least enjoying himself out there. Chris was able to pass a couple of folks as to get 7th in 35+ , 11th in 35/45.
From Marc’s Prospective during the race:

“as Randy approached I thought: “the inevitable”- randy is super strong, but also
famous for a weak start, so I am used to him passing me once the race
settles down. I made some effort to keep up with randy, but conscious of
the 60 minute duration don’t want to overdo it. We changed the lead a
few times and found ourselves moving up on Gunnar, who seemed to pick it
up when we caught him. I made a commitment to try to stay with those
guys. at first i wasn’t sure if I’d be able to hang, but I got the sense
I was stronger at a couple power sections- in particular the steep
ride up, where they were slow to re-accelerate after the hill; and the
uphill barrier run. With about 3 laps to go I was able to work past my
riding mates. First on the road, randy dropped of Gunnar’s wheel, and
rather than risk getting gapped, I went around and hung with Gunnar.
Then when Gunnar and I hit the running section together I was able to
accelerate past him, and Gunnar cheered me on with “way to go, Joel’s
Brother!”.

Darren did his second cross race and proved that he still had some late season form from all the biking he has done this year. He had the City bikes name get called over the speaker system multiple times, and even had rival team members cheering for him. Darren started fast, and was able to hang on for a fourth place finish.

From Darren’s Prospective during the race:

I think after one lap I was in 3rd place. I got on to Matt’s wheel who rides for capital hill bikes I have ridden with him before so I know his ability. I am riding with him and I find out we are 1,2 so I was pretty stoked. We get on this fast downhill section, and his tire came flying off his wheel. So then I was in 1st place, this was short lived, I then started loosing ground to the other guys and was passed by several people. I then rode in no man’s land for the rest of the race, and was able to pull off a 4th place. I was happy with the result considering it was my second cross race, and my pre-race predictions was to finish in the top 1/3 and my goal was a top 10 finish.

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