The Philly Phlyer circuit race marked the official start of the year for the Kelly Benefit Strategies Elite Team this past weekend, March 21st. A Team Time Trial in the morning began the festivities on a cold morning with snow lying around the entire course. Our main team was built around the four guys that will make up our team at TTT Nationals in April. The remaining 6 riders were split evenly between two teams. It was my first TTT and I had a great time working as a team over the 20K course. The race itself was uneventful and left our nationals TTT team with the victory and the remaining teams rounding out the top five in 3rd and 4th.
With the circuit race not until 3:00 in the afternoon we went back to the house grabbed some food and relaxed before heading back over to the course. Fielding a full team meant we wanted to control the race early on and see if we couldn't get numbers in a break. After a hard first lap we were able to get 3 up the road in a group of 6. From there the remaining members controlled the race. For the next 4 laps of the 7 lap race I sat back and watched my teammates completely shut down every move and ensure the break stayed away. There were times where I lacked faith but each time they would show up at the right time to force their will on the field. It was awesome to recognize what an effect riding for a team can have on the race. With 8 guys we were able to control exactly what happened, and rather than the frustration I held last year as an individual when I was shut down by a team I got to revel in its beauty.
While we were controlling the field the break was beginning to fall apart. A flat bettered our odds to 3/5 and and another break member was struggling as Ben Frederick created a gap around a corner forcing last member to chase. Chris Jones put the power down up the hill and then kept the pace high to ensure the rider couldn't chase back on the descent. With that it was all of a sudden a 3/4 Kelly break. In the field we didn't know this but those are some good odds. From what I heard it played out like this. Curtis attacked up the hill with 1/2 lap to go and just as he was brought in Ben Frederick attacked and was able to stay away for the win! The non-Kelly rider was forced to pull the remaining way in only to be hit with a double attack as Curtis and Chris got around to solidify the sweep.
With two laps to go I received the green light to attack out of the field. I had been waiting for the moment in case the original break got reeled back in. Jake Tremblay attacked on the flat prior to the backside hill and just as he was brought back in I hit the gas and got away clean. Just barely making it over the hill I reset on the defense and began a solo charge home. A lap and a half of hard riding later I completed the top 5 and shortly after Ben Fogle came in with a group of three and out sprinted them to complete the wave of kelly riders coming in. We finished the race taking 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, and 6th. Bring out the broom!
Team Presentation
After racing on Saturday the team came back together on Monday outside of Baltimore to be introduced to the greater Kelly Benefit Strategies club and pick up our awesome new kit for 2015. We had the opportunity to meet current club members and meet some of the great people and businesses that make this team possible. It was great to see the support that the club members have for the elite team. I hope we can live up to their expectations throughout the year. It won't be easy but if any team can make it happen I think this might be the one. Be on the lookout for more team photos and follow us on twitter, facebook, and instagram for more updates throughout the year.
Keep those pedals spinning,
BSlow
Keep those pedals spinning,
BSlow