Saint Louis University Cycling Team

Howdy Followers of SLU Cycling, as I know there are many, near and far. First of all, this is not Matt. This is Austin. So deal with it.

This weekend, SLU Cycling embarked upon it’s first Collegiate Cycling Weekend of the new 2009 season. Race weekend #1, Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky. Things started out well early in the week, as forecasts were calling for low 50’s to high 40’s. As the team’s resident meteorologist, I knew not much stock could be placed in that forecast. How quickly things began to change. As Thursday approached, things were looking grim. We arrived in Murray, KY, on Friday evening to brisk temperatures in the high 30’s with windy conditions. A storm was brewing.

Saturday morning broke with dreary conditions out the hotel window, a luxurious Super 8. Clouds blanketed the sky and the flags were flapping wildly. The vans got packed and we headed out towards the course. To Murray State’s credit, everything went smoothly. Registration was a breeze. The Men’s C, Women’s B, and Men’s D were the first races off. SLU had a representative in each. I, Austin Gibbons, toed the line in the C’s. Aimee Warnke, our new freshman triathlete (Woo Triathletes!), stepped up in the Women’s B in her first road race. And Peter Ehrhard lined up in the Men’s D. Conditions were not ideal. As the first three races went off the skies opened with a light drizzle that picked up to a steady rain throughout the early races. The rain, in concert with, the temperatures, which were holding steady in the low 30’s made for some very serious Hard Man conditions.  I can say, due to my past crashing reputation, I began the season racing quite scared. I sat off the back of the pack, as there was much yo-yo’ing in the pack. This was not wise, as with a rolling opening few miles, I got popped off the back on a longer descent. I dangled off the back for most of the first lap staying within the field’s sights, but never able to pull it back. Sadly, I felt great, and ended up TT’ing (my specialty) through half the field that had also gotten popped off, to finish middle of the pack. Aimee, also new to mass start racing, started out a bit uncomfortably, but hung tough with the lead pack for the entire 2 lap, 32 mile race, which had a couple good climbing efforts in there. She was however, unaware the finish line was where it was, understandably, and didn’t sprint, but garnered a very solid 9th. Peter hung in there in a tough race in the Men’s D, as the Wisconsin team held to tradition and gunned it from the start. He finished strong and quickly changed into dry clothes.

The second grouping contained the Men’s A, Women’s A, and Men’s B fields. SLU had two representatives in the Men’s B field, in Matt Favoino and Rory King. This was not a spectator’s course, thus the details will be limited, but it sounds like it was quite a race. The first lap went pretty according to plan, and the field passed by the first lap intact. The fireworks began on lap 2, as the course meandered north into a very strong 25-30 mph headwind. Near the end of the northward trek into the wind, a fairly taxing climb, about 1/4 mile long layed in front. This time around, a couple riders made it off the front. Matt, however, was poorly positioned and had to really fire it up the climb. He weaved through a few riders and pushed to the front and the break was under way. The break was very well organized and very well represented. It contained a Marian, Indiana, Depaul, Southern Illinois, and SLU rider. They pace-lined to a substantial lead after the remainder of lap 2. They came through the finish line with 1 to go with a substantial margin of near 2 minutes. As the field came through, Rory was working well with Indiana at blocking the field, allowing the break to build its advantage. As they came through lap 2, the weather started to turn for the worse. Now we had a fine mix of precipitation coming down. Rain, Sleet, and Snow pelted the riders along with dropping temperatures to the upper 2o’s. Epic conditions they were. Finally (I was cold), they came through and the break of attrition was left to who had something left, after dropping the Marian rider well back, the four breakers assaulted the line. Matt came in a bike length of the lead and tire width ahead of third for a solid 2nd place showing. Rory came in with the field and sprinted to a mid-pack finish. All in all, an epic day of racing.

Sunday came around full swing. The threat of snow overnight left the team wondering what Sunday would hold. We awoke to an inch or so on the ground, but the road surfaces did not accumulate any snow and had actually dried out from the high winds. Thus, the criterium was on. We arrived at the course. It was, interesting, to say the least. A parking lot crit was on the menu, with 12 turns in a 0.5 mile lap. Needless to say, it was technical and had ice and salt on the course, leading to wet conditions as it melted. Marian actually protested the course and took all of its riders home.

The races nonetheless went forward. Men’s D started off and Peter had some bad luck and flatted on the first lap. He didn’t have a backup rear wheel, thus his race was over. Crashes galore ensued as rider after rider went down on the technical turns. Things were looking ominous for the day. A Wisconsin rider then preceded to eliminate basically the entire field by lapping them one by one, and on the final lap, only 6 other riders remained of 30 starters. Aimee had another solid showing, holding on for a 10th place finish in the crit. She also got a flat, but luckily this was her front tire, and we throw on a spare wheel and she got back into the race and fought back in for a couple spots. She raced hard for her first crit, and held up well, rubber side down for the whole race.

The Men’s B came upon us and Matt and Rory toed the line. The field was smaller, about only 15-20 riders started. But Rory was feeling aggressive and he and a SIU rider went off the front, and built a good lead while working well together. Matt tried to quell any chasers, but on the technical course, it didn’t work to well. Rory and his break companion held a steady lead about 1o minutes into the race until he hit a wet patch on a 180 degree turn and slid out. He took his free lap and jumped back into the break, but a lap later, with his rear wheel out of true and rubbing the break, his day was over. Matt had to get on the attack and moved to the front. A Depaul rider went off the front and built a lead, and Matt followed trying to get on his wheel. He dangled off his wheel for 10-15 minutes before officially bridging up. They worked together to pull away from the field. The last lap came through with Matt on the front. He attacked into the wind on the hardest part of the course, built a small gap and kicked it into the final turns. Coming out of the last corner, Matt was out front, but at the line the Depaul rider came around and pipped him by about half a wheel. Another day, another second place for Matt. However, two second places on the weekend in the Men’s B was a quality start to the season.

A quick stop into Tom’s Pizza for 3 14″ pizzas, and a fuel up, and the first weekend was over. No serious incidents, and some good success. Next up comes Depauw University. And with trips to Indiana and I-70 come dinner stops to El Rancherito. Oh yes, nothing like an irritable bowel the morning of race. Stay tuned for more SLU Cycling results.