Booher Media Group release
Nat Ross (Subaru-Gary Fisher) executed an astonishing race at the 24 Hours of Temecula. Here's why. Up until this weekend Ross has been legally blind during every night lap through each of the 29 solo 24 hour races he's done. Earlier this year Ross underwent Lasik surgery to correct vision in his left eye. The right eye is scheduled for surgery in October. Today's race became a brand new event for Ross, who could actually see the race course clearly at night for the first time.
"It's given me so much more confidence and the ability to ride at night with speed," explained Ross. "I actually have definition and peripheral vision. More than ever I'm especially looking forward to this season. Being able to go into the night with extra confidence sure pays off."
By 10 p.m. Saturday night and with 14 hours left to go, Ross had crossed off ten laps--or half his stated goal of 20 laps. Ross could have called it a day by 8 a.m. Sunday, since second place in Men's Solo trailed by six laps. His next ambition then became one of toppling Tinker Juarez's course record for the most laps in the Men's Solo category. By 10:35 a.m. he matched the record with 19 completed laps. Even after almost a full day of riding, Ross easily had another lap in him. Despite the early morning downpour that brought on some chills, Ross neatly finished 20 laps in 24:06:11.
Expect Ross to do more damage to his competition this season. Not only because of his improved vision, but because--for the first time--Nate has been able to dedicate more time to training. Big things are up ahead!
REDEMPTION RIDE FOR TERRI WAHLBERG
Terri Wahlberg (Ellsworth) managed to right the wrongs that ultimately cost her a podium here last year. The attractively glib redhead from Santa Maria, California returned this year seeking redemption and got it by heaping on two more laps over second place. That the race was still in play by 2 a.m. on Sunday didn't keep Wahlberg from conning a rookie crew member into authorizing a sleep break.
"I decided to take advantage of the one pit crew member who knew nothing about the racing. So I came in and asked to sleep for a half hour. I slept outside until my husband, who was in the camper, found out. Of course that was it, the race was back on, and I had to leave."
So far this season Wahlberg has collected a second and now a first place. Today's win scored a double victory since she also won back the confidence lost during last year's race. Wahlberg circled the 10.2 mile course 13 times in 24:03:43.
A NEW WOMAN'S FASTEST LAP RECORD
Before the start, Alex Fabro (Velo Bella-Kona) confessed to begging the four man expert Team Mammoth to let her race with them. They added her to the roster and switched to the five person coed category. This proved to be an excellent decision by Team Mammoth. Fabro ended up turning a new, fastest lap record time for a female at the 24 Hours of Temecula.
"The first lap went perfectly, as a team we rode the course yesterday. A couple of the guys had done this race last year so they gave the rest of us tips on where we could really push it and where we needed to be cautious," said Fabro. "The ridge line descent was where you had to know if it was better to play it safe, or to keep momentum up to clear the next little pop up. Conservation of momentum is key here in Temecula."
Fabro lowered the existing record, set last year by Abigail Hippely (Maverick), by 1:55 with a new record time of 56:34. Without letting up, Fabro continued to push hard on the pedals even after her rear derailleur refused to work during lap number four. While cyclocross season is a long way off, Fabro put in some preseason training by running much of the course with her bike slung over her shoulder. Even with the cyclocross effort, Fabro clocked a lap of 1:10:49.
In the end, Team Mammoth outdistanced every other team by one lap. They came, they cycled and they claimed the overall title with 25 laps. Or 255 miles with 37,450 feet of climbing divvied up between Alex Fabro, Tom Mazaitis, Richard Price, Jason Senior and Percy Stevens. |