Race Report: 2010 Iron Horse Bicycle Classic Omnium
By Oxygen4Energy Elite Cyclist, Tiffany Pezzulo
Marisa and I both used the oxygen during the road race on Saturday. The 50 mile race climbs 5700 ft and goes over 2 mountain passes above 10,000 feet. I was able to get away from the field with another woman in the peloton. Road races generally aren't my strength, but I felt good and was able to gain a little distance on the 1st climb before being caught by a group of women including teammate Marisa. I turned myself inside out on the flats to try to minimize the gap to Mara Abbott who had gotten a gap on the rest of us, so that Marisa could sit in. I buried myself to the base of the next steep climb and then Marisa and the 3 other girls took off up the hill.
I was hurting really bad at this point and took about 6 shots of oxygen. I was able to manage only getting passed by 2 other girls in the rest of the race to finish 8th (my best finish ever at this race!). Marisa also used the oxygen during the race and was able to drop the other girls to finish 2nd behind Mara Abbott (one of the world's best female cyclists). The local paper covered it here:
After the road race I was totally destroyed. I used up the rest of the oxygen and got some recovery drink. My legs were totally dead and I wasn't even sure how I'd do in the next day's race. Though I woke up Sunday morning feeling pretty tired, the legs felt a little better. I took 10 shots of oxygen before the afternoon crit. Alison Testroete, Canadian National Champion attacked and got a gap on the field that she was able to hold for the win. However, I felt good in the race and was able to win the field sprint for 2nd place. Marisa finished 4th after giving me a great leadout. I had another 10 shots for recovery right after the crit along with a recovery drink. Crit results:
Monday's time trial was tough. After 2 days of racing, its hard to get motivated for the 14 mile challenging course (which is just you against the clock--not a mass start event). Marisa and I both used the oxygen right before the time trial. Marisa crushed the time trial in 36:14 winning the day which also moved her into 1st place in the omnium (overall). I finished 4th place behind Peanut Butter & Co's Alisha Welsh and Vera Bradley Foundation's Alison Testroete. It was a great result for me and it was the 1st time I'd even ridden my time trial bike this year! Time trial and overall results:
