Erin and Sam Race RATL#4

The last RATL of 2009 was held in harsh windy conditions. Watch the video on the Mens report. The trees were bending and the water was choppy from the wind. The ladies Cat. 1-4 race started with a pretty talented group of girls. It started calmly with a few accelerations from the front but nothing that broke it up. With every prime came an attempt to break away.  Erin won the 3rd prime against Jane Evely of Summa then they kept the pressure on to get a gap with Sam quickly bridging. After getting caught by the efforts of the field Erin made a decision to sit for the sprint finish and possibly a solo attack if  she had the guts at that moment. With Sam in 3rd position on the final lap they came around the left turn on the straight shot to the finish when Erin dropped to the back and launched on the far left. She buried her head to get a gap when coming to the bridge noticed 2 riders cooling down. She hesitated for 3 pedal strokes and when they finally moved she got her speed back up, but saw the field. At that point we changed to plan B, to make the attack a lead out for Sam! It was perfect, Sam jumped andErin cheered “keep going, the rest of the break is still off.”  Sam had an awesome sprint and just missed 1st place and I got 6. Erin said it was fun to take a chance and for her teammate to grab 2nd. Good Day of racing.