Neil Shirley Diary Commerce Bank Triple Crown – Reading
6/6/08 - Reading, PA is host to the second round of the Triple Crown. The 10 lap 75-mile race is a mostly urban circuit taking the racers through Reading’s neighborhoods and finishes in the middle of downtown. It is a rolling course for the first 7 laps. Then it gets hard! For the last 3 laps of the race they throw in a 700-foot climb to shake things up. The climb isn’t that bad when you pre-ride the course, but then in the race when you go up it at 20 mph it gives it a whole new dimension.
This would be my third time racing in Reading. Last year I had a good ride and finished in the top-15. This is a race I had been really looking forward to, with such a tough finish I knew it suited my riding style and I felt a top-10 or better was realistic.
Well, my plans were derailed this morning when I woke up sick. I could barely force myself out of bed for our 10:30 departure time. During the drive to Reading I was feeling worse and worse. I was really wishing I was back at the hotel sleeping. I could have gotten out of starting the race but since I am the co-captain of the team and our captain Trent Wilson is out with a broken hand I felt that I needed to at least line up and then go from there.
The race started under beautiful sunny skies. The temperatures were warm again just like on Tuesday. I sat at the back of the field for the first couple of laps and then pulled out on the third lap. I really hate dropping out of races but this is one of those deals where I have to look at the bigger picture. With me not feeling good I could suffer through the race and probably not be a factor in the end and possibly make myself much worse going into Philly on Sunday and then Beauce next week. It’s never an easy decision to make but I think I made the right one.
One thing about dropping out of the race is that you actually get to watch the finish of the race. I forgot how exciting it is to watch a pro race! Oscar Sevilla of Rock Racing showed why he was hyped as a Grand Tour contender a few years back. He rode aggressively the last couple of laps and dropped his breakaway companions the last time up the climb to win solo. Highroad’s Boasson Hagen stayed away from the field to finish second and last years winner Eisel won a 30-up sprint for third. It was a tough day for Jittery Joe’s, with Trent and myself out it left a big hole to fill for the other guys.
I took a two hour nap as soon as we got back to the hotel and am feeling a little better now. I’ll jump on the bike for a couple of hours tomorrow and see how it goes. Cindy and Charlotte (my wife and six-month old daughter) fly into Philly tomorrow, I’m excited to see them. I’ll keep resting and hope to be on my A game this weekend. Last year at Philly I won the King of the Mountains award so I’m hoping to one-up that this year. Check back Sunday night for the Philly report.Thanks for reading,
