So, it is now officially finished. The 2012 cyclocross season for
Washington wrapped up this past Sunday with the State Championship races
in Arlington.
Using a new part of the airport than last year (and the race earlier this season), the course featured
plentiful s-curves, a short run-up, and tons of energy-sapping thick
mud. The rain from the week had collected to form a few deep mud puddles, and most of the back half of the course was a churned up, wheel grabbing mud-fest.
I was hoping to have a good placing in this race, however the week
of healing from my crash was thinking otherwise. I got a nice front-line start position and even had a decent start,
coming into the first corner in roughly 6th position, however a small
bobble over the tall log barrier in the next corner saw me fall back to about
12/13th spot. Not the best way to start a tough race.
I quickly got going and chased through the tight series of s-curves trying
to keep with the lead group. After finishing the first lap I had crawled
back up to 9th place and was within sight of the lead group. Over the next four tiring laps I managed to
climb up to 7th place, although in the last lap I fell back to 8th and
would hold that position through the finish. Not my best showing of the
season, but decent given that I was coming off of injury the previous
weekend. Still, I was really hoping to be part of the battle for the win. Maybe with the course change next year I can duke it out in the 1/2 race.
All-in-all I was very happy with my season this year and while
narrowly missing the overall win in the SCX series, I think that winning the MFG series
and almost winning the SCX series was a good sign that I am ready for
the challenge of the 1/2 field. For now it is time to get back into the
road mind-set and prepare for racing in 2013!
Congrats to everyone for their great results this year!
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