2023 National Racing Block
I’m back from a successful two-month national race block, my first time racing on that circuit. What a learning experience. I visited many new places and am honing my racing skills against some of the best racers in the country.
The following are the races I competed in, results, and highlights:
3/31-4/2 US Pro Cup - Vail Lake, CA.
Short Track (P4) - (See my 4/3 post)
Cross Country Olympic (P2) - (See my 4/3 post)
4/14-4/16 US Pro Cup - Fayetteville, AR.
2023 US Pro Cup, AR. - Short Track Podium
2023 US Pro Cup, AR. - XCO
Short Track (P5) - I didn’t wake up feeling too hot and felt bad during warmup. I had a bad start but managed to fight back. The race was painful but happy to get on the podium.
Cross Country Olympic (P4) - I woke up feeling back to normal. The course was a bit technical, with several rock gardens and jumps. And it was super windy.
Once again, I had a bad start and found myself in 15th, even though I was on the front row. Halfway through the first lap, I was back with the top guys. On the third and fourth laps, I attacked the front guys by taking long pulls in the front, which, in hindsight, wasn’t the best tactic with the wind.
Near the finish, my friend Michael Ziomek from Bear came from fourth position with big power, followed by Tristan Tailefer from Canada. I was in third until the final corner when Ben Bravman made a nice pass and took third away from me.
5/13 MBAA State Championship - Prescott AZ.
2023 MBAA AZ, State Championship
Cross Country Olympic (P1) - The championship was at Emmanuel Pines in Prescott, one of my favorite venues. The course is alpine, with nice single track and long climbs.
I felt good about my fitness entering the race, but I wasn’t sure what to expect since I hadn’t raced against the Arizona guys in a while. My friend, Isaac Cole from Flagstaff, had won all the local races, so he seemed the most significant threat.
This event was much smaller than the national races I’ve been doing. The start wasn’t nearly as hectic. Isaac and I pulled away from the group halfway through the first lap and rode together. At the beginning of the second lap, I got on the front and upped the tempo. Isaac dropped off, and I rode the remaining laps alone.
I am so happy to be the AZ State Champion in my age group finally!
6/10-11 Missoula Bike Fest, Mt.
2023 Missoula Bike Fest - River Valdez
Short Track (P5) - The circuit was short with minimal climbing and included a large road section. A new team with bright yellow kits called the Boise Young Rider Development Squad, or "the BYRDS" was there. For most of the race, I was in a group of five in the front with a large gap. Two BYRD guys (Oliver Welcker, and Rowan Nistal) controlled the entire race. At times, they road bar-to-bar and blocked the trail. They came in first and second.
Cross Country Olympic (P2) - I was excited to race the long course. There was a long, steep climb right from the start. Each lap had over 1K ft. of climbing, which was great for me.
The race was three laps in total. On the final lap, it was me, Ben, and the two BYRD guys. I attacked on the final climb and had a large gap. It felt large enough for the win. I pushed hard but ran into some traffic on the downhill from the category in front. It slowed me up. Once able to get around the slower riders, one of the BYRD guys, Rowan, was back. We rode together. Then, on a wide section of trail, he sprinted by me. I latched on to his wheel but couldn't pass him before the finish. I was heartbroken. I thought I had the win.
6/25 So Ho Bike Fest - Midway, UT.
2023 So Ho Bike Fest Podium
Cross Country Olympic (P3) - This was my first time racing at Soldier Hollow. I was happy to see the BYRD guys from Idaho again. Oliver Welcker, and Rowan Nistal have been moving up the rankings fast.
Like all these races, it was full gas from the start. The course felt like a short track because we stayed close to the start/finish for the entire race. We did four laps.
It was me, the two BYRD riders, and Ben Bravman on the front all race long. A few guys would bridge when we sat up but dropped once we gassed it again. The BYRD guys were controlling, riding first and second, like at Missoula. Ben and I were constantly battling each other for positions. Near the end of the final lap, we were still together when Ben’s chain snapped, and he was out.
I tried to get to the front to avoid sprinting to the line against the powerful BYRD riders, but Rowan Nistal in P2 was able to kill my speed by stalling on a technical feature near the finish, ending my chance. I finished in third.
After this block of races I’ve moved to fourth overall on the USAC ranking for my age group. I have a week home, then I will be heading to Pennsylvania for Nationals! I should have a front row call-up which was the goal at the start of the season. I can’t believe Nationals is already here?!?
