championnats provincial de cyclocross

Day one in Quebec City, 'cross provincials! Drove up Friday night after work crashed at the HoJo for a good sleep, then up in the morning to head over to the race venue. It would have been nice to check it out the day before, but work beckoned, and hey, my mantra has always been - First lap is a warmup!
I got parked, registered, changed, situated, sort of warmed up and so on.. made my way over towards the start, pitted the spare and looked for the start. I'd gotten a chance to ride some of the course, but not very much. Mostly the grassy stuff. So I was going to go into it a bit blind. Not a good plan for a big race. I had a poor start, missing the jump. We'd fly into a set of barriers really early, catching the tail end of the Elite race, so I got wedged in, fell back a few more spots and before you know it, I'm in about 5-6th place 15+ seconds off the lead. Not the best scenario, but it is just the first lap. I decided to remain calm, and play the hand as given.
By the second lap I was able to work up to 3rd, and managed to dump off a few riders leaving a cleared contact to the leader, but was now 20-25 seconds off the lead, but calm. Lap three, I'd regained a few seconds to the lead, but was contently sitting in second place, feeling good. I though it best to start a move, as we were nearing the halfway mark, so I gave a good push through the start/finish, cleared the rock steps nicely, and gassed it on the backside gravel climb. By the top I'd worked my way up to the leader and was within 5 seconds. We'd come through together with 3 to go. From here out it was looking too familiar, with thoughts of Laval setting in. Michel and I rode away in Laval, and were doing an even better job this time. The lead was traded off a couple of times a lap. We had a good chance to feel each other out, I felt he was weakening, but whenever I put in a dig, he was always right there. With two to go, pretty much the same as previous, although I was having a tough time on the steep grass climb. Michel was clearing it, I had to dismount, he'd get around to lead through the start/finish. This was looking all too key for the final lap. After the hill there was a fast open section, into a narrow down/up, across an impossibly narrow bridge, followed by a right turn onto a paved section for the final 150m, of course with a (bigger than) 90degress left turn with about 75m to go. So, first man onto the bridge would be likely winner.
I started the final lap on Michel's wheel, passing him on the rock run up. Over on the gravel climb I went full gas to the top, he would hang in as we descended down into the slick switchbacks. I cleared the sand hill (another narrow section, slightly sandy steep climb) and notice Michel was off, so went for broke. He caught back on down by the flat section (through the straights and grassy turns) and I would lead into the super steep hill. Deja-vu, I was usually in first, but he was getting me every time. It was a do or die moment, I grunted myself over the hill, and cleared it for the first time of the day, got to the top, and again full gas. We hit the narrows, then crossed the bridge. As soon as we hit the pavement I began the set up for the corner and sprint. It can be sketchy railing a paved corner on a cross bike. We rolled through and instantly sprinted out of the corner.
I had no problem holding the lead out to the line, clinching my third consecutive provincial title! An excellent race. It was the toughest of the three to win, but will likely be the most remembered! (so cliche LOL) One day down, one more to go, the next day would be the series finale. I'm not in for the series, as I'd only done one other race in Quebec this year, so I'll get some good rest, then enjoy another day in the blue and white!

(photos thanks to sharron harrison)

ontario cyclocross provincials

This Sunday was 'cross provincials in Ontario, and this year they were held in Ottawa, which made for a great second half of weekend racing close to home. The weather would be, again, spectacular for November, overcast, 12 degrees (or more?) very light breeze, just nice. The start list was much longer than Saturday's 'Anvil Race', and so there would be a few fresh legs starting up, and no doubt most were saving themselves for a good result. As appealing as the thought of two provincial championships are, it would however have to remain 'unofficially' appealing as I am a Quebec resident, and some rule says you can only be champ in one province... the one you live in... Sounds like an Ontario rule... HaHa!
We showed up as the first race of the morning was finishing, and Kelly would get ready for the second event of the day. She and Mel were racing the women's event, so Darren, Leiden and I would take on spectating/cheering and photog duties. Jr. men, Master B and C men were also out. All races were quite entertaining. Kelly had a decent day, and was quite content as usual to just be out competing. Mel looked a bit tired from Saturday's race, but would finish strong.
As they finished up, we headed back to prep for the final event of the day. Darren was in the Senior Men's race, Marc B. arrived, and the two of us were fresh off Saturday's podium and ready to go in the Master A group.
A couple of laps for warm up gave us a chance to see the course, it was typical Ottawa, long straights, sharp/steep climbs, several dismounts, and new this year a beautiful beach sand pit!! The course was nicely taped off and would keep everyone on track.
I was able to pick up a good spot on the start line and score the hole-shot off the gun to lead out the group. Peter Mogg (national champ) was second wheel, followed by Derek Harding and the rest. Peter fairly quickly found his way around, and then a small bobble on a corner let Derek around. I would hang on for most of the first lap. Near the start of the second lap, Derek crashed somehow(?) and I was able to slip back into second position. Peter was already beginning to slide away, and was putting in about 8-10 seconds faster per lap. So the race quickly became, a hold position game; try and keep up, and don't let the others move up either. By mid race I started to pull Peter back in a few seconds, but he unfortunately noticed, and it didn't last long. Derek was distantly back in third, so it was easy enough to focus ahead. We were also working our way deep into the Senior field at this point, so there was lots of good pacing going on.
One thing I have come to love over the years is the sand pit. Typically hated by all, which is often how I come to love things, it is hard to ride, never the same twice, and always a challenge. This one was no different, perpendicular to the beach, a 180 around a life guard shack and back up, ouch. Most were able to at least get to the shack, but not much beyond. My best go at it required only one 'dab', impressive even to me. The final lap I was determined to go all the way, but alas the elusive full beach ride never happened... Maybe next time, if it ever makes a re-appearance.
By the end of the race, everything was well settled in, and one final go to make up time would only solidify second place, which is pretty awesome none-the-less!
Great weekend, two podiums, including a win, some great November weather, lots of smiles, and one week closer to the end of the season.
Two more races in Eastern Ontario, with Upper Canada Village being next weekend, then a trip to Rhode Island the first week of December to cap it off. As always, looking forward to it!!

cyclocross provincials - sherbrooke quebec

One last cycling trip deep into Quebec this year. I only say that, because living in Gatineau (Western Quebec), everything east of Montreal seems like a big trip.. This time off to provincial championships in Sherbrooke, a big race on any calendar, this year would be a bit bigger on mine. It's not often I've had the opportunity to go to an event as "defending champion", so a bit of nervousness beforehand was expectable.
The weather was perfect for 'cross, but then any weather is.. Lots of rain had fallen the day before, so despite a beautiful sunny day, with temps around 10deg. it would turn into a bit of a mudfest. It was quite windy, but the course was well sheltered, so it wouldn't be much of a factor.
The start line was on pavement, and after some discussion they would eventually sort us out, separating the Elites from Masters, and starting the groups 10 seconds apart. I got into a good spot on the start grid, and made a jump to gain the holeshot lead than put four of us immediately off the front, and other than my slip up on the first corner, we immediately gained onto the back end of the elites. After a lap or two, Rob Orange was leading about 10-12 seconds up on myself, with three more 10-15 seconds back. By lap three, I was able to reel Rob back in and take the lead of the masters race. We rode 1-2 until finish, continually putting time into those behind us.
It was a great course, fast, technical with lots of turns, a couple of dismounts, a mud pit (from the rain), an excellent climb (happy me) and a wicked berm ride that looked and felt like riding the banks of a velodrome!! (Surprisingly a lot of people took it low, I'm not too sure why, 'cause riding it high was so fast, and smooth, it was just fun to hang it out). There was also a nice grassy flat switchback section that weaved back and forth, it was a bit greasy and would force a bit more caution. It was paved through the start/finish, into a nice six-foot drop-in back on course.
The final two laps went by pretty quick, Kelly, Leiden, Kona and lots of other friends were cheering along quite well for motivation, plus the legs were feeling great, unfortunately my back starting ache, so it was mental at that point to block it out and just keep pressure on the pedals. On the final lap I started to distance Rob, and would finish nearly 30 second up for the win, he would go on to take the win in the master B category (40+). Two championship jerseys for the Gatineau region! It was nice to race with him, good motivation for each other, and we were able to work very strongly together, to win our categories by over a minute and a half each! On top of that Keirnan Orange (Robs son) won the Junior race, and Sophie Matte won the women's race, to bring the total up to four wins for the Gatineau Region, awesome medal haul!
Next couple of weeks, we'll be home for some more Eastern Ontario racing.