Chris and I arrived at 11:30 AM to the race course. Walking up to the course, we immediately saw FedEx and Race Support Crew BigH. BigH was pinning FedEx's race number on his jersey. Here is a photo I snapped of these two teammates.
Photo - FedEx and Race Support Crew BigH
Photo - FedEx Relaxing Before the Race
The race before the Master 35+ was the Ladies Pro 1-3, and I caught the end of this race. Ladies of the Helen's Team seemed to be everywhere afterwards as I wandered abround. I even met the gorgeous Stella Tong, one of Kristy's teammate. Stella was super friendly and nice, and I got a photo with her. Check them out below.
Photo - Helen's Racers Warming Down After Their Race
Photo - Helen's Racer and Support Fan
Photo - Stella Tong of Helen's Racing Team
I have never been to a crit race and these sights were new to me. Everyone seemed to be either on rollers warming up, riding about to warm down, or carrying their race wheels somewhere. This was like cycling heaven!
Photo - Sights from the Race
Photo - Sights from the Race
Photo - Sights from the Race
The Master 35+ race is about to start. Our VeloViet Camera Crew sets up and prepare for the photo frenzy.
Photo - VeloViet Camera Crew Hard at Work
Photo - FedEx Focus Before the Race
And the race starts! I thought I had seen fast, but nothing before seemed to compare to the speed of watching a crit race close up! These guys were going well over 30 mph and they had to sustain this close to an hour! Yikes!
While I was watching the race, I did not quite understand the tactic, but now I think I do. Most teams had 4 or 5 guys in the same race, and these guys were helping each other out. Since FedEx was by himself, he did not have anyone protecting him from the other teams so he had to employed a different race strategy.
FedEx initially hang in the back of the pack, and for the first half of the race, he was on the outside, where there was less bump and grind, but actually is more into the wind. Then the last half of the race, he moved inside, get shoved around a bit, but was more sheltered.
Photo - Pack Rounding the Curve
Photo - FedEx on the Outer Edge of the Pack
Photo - FedEx on the Inner Edge of the Pack
The race was pretty exciting. There was one rider that broke away and stayed away for most of the race. He had a pretty good gap going, but was spending so much energy on the front alone. I think the pack was just letting him dangle in the front to expend all of his energy.
With about 4 or so laps to go, I saw FedEx started to move up. At this point to teh pace of teh pack picked up. I started screaming out loud to FedEx and he was actually smiling at one point when he passed by.
The move happened with 2 laps to go. Three riders sprinted to bridge up to the breakaway riders. FedEx saw and also made the move to go after the three riders. He almost made it but ran out of juice and rejoin the pack. The race ended with a sprint and I think one of the three rider who bridge up won.
Photo - FedEx Moving Up on the Remaining Laps
Photo - FedEx Trying to Bridge Up to the Lead Breakaway Rider
Photo - Sights from the Race
FedEx still wasn't finish as he immediately got ready for the Cat4 race. I have no idea how he can race back-to-back! I had to leave to take Chris home at this time, but will definitely go watch a future crit race and cheer on my teammates again!
Out,
Phong
I love every moment I spent at the race. I will be there time and time again for our racers! (Hope that will not be on Sunday all the time!).
ReplyDeleteJOB WELL DONE, Hung FedEx! We do NOT care if you were win or not...You have bringing the whole new spirit into VV Team, RACING! Thanks bro...
Ride on...
The ease at which Hung Fedex jockeying within the claustrophobic swarm of aggressive racers is a spectacular display of fierce confidence and skill. What looks easy on the surface is actually the accumulation of years in honing the art of hammering on slick tarmac and cutting treacherous corners. Racing crits is never about winning first place or to capture a spot on the podium. But rather, it's a heroic testament to steely nerves in accepting the inherent risk of grave bodily injuries and competing at the highest level of athleticism. No one better personifies these rare attributes than Hung Fedex. And, Velo Viet never appears more poised than when Fedex graces its distinctive colors in the competitive arena of the best of the best.
ReplyDeleteCongrat to you Hung Fed Ex, as Phong discribe the race, you have to work alone and did a great race. Your compitition spirit will bring more strong V V into Crit race, thank you for represent our club, way to go Fed Ex.
ReplyDeleteNgoc.
Well done FedEx! You’re such an inspiration to our club in general and racing team in particular. Hang in there. There will be more racers joining to provide you with the support that you needed. Have fun and good luck with the races.
ReplyDeleteNice recap with great photos.