Mar. 20 , 2010
BARIANI ROAD RACE: FLAT WITH A BIG PACK ON NARROW FARM ROADS
Masters 1/2/3
Zenn Racing Team: Scott Fonseca, Chris Ott
Zamora, CA - The title: "FLAT WITH BIG PACK ON NARROW FARM ROADS" just about sums up the entire day at Bariani Road Race near Zamora, CA. Zenn Teammates lined up in a full field of 100 riders for 6 laps of approximately 10 miles on narrow country roads. With no full road closure in effect, riders were mandated to not cross the centerline, making this race all about positioning at the front. Several attacks were attempted early in the race and Scott followed the moves that included strong riders. However, with this, basically flat course, the peleton would not let any moves get any distance. Team Specialized used their horsepower in an attempt to break the field, but it was not to be. Nearly all of the 100 riders would remain in contact.
To make matters more nervous, on the penultimate lap, the race was neutralized through the only "climb", making the entire pack twitchy and anxious. With one lap to go, riders navigated for better positioning to contest the finish. In the congestion, several riders were relegated for purposely or even inadvertently crossing the centerline. Scott was one of the unfortunate riders to suffer this relegation demise. And out of frustration, he attacked hard over the final climb opening a gap. He was caught, and regardless would not have been eligible for the victory.
In the closing miles, Chris moved into good position to contest the sprint. However, at the last right hand turn, he was caught directly behind a crash of a rider from Vitamin Water/Folsom Bike, which caused the field to split, with 13 at the front. Chris desperately chased in the final Kilometer, but was still about 5 seconds behind at the finish as the rest of the main pack came roaring by at the line.
Morgan Stanley's Chris Baker earned the victory in a well-timed sprint. As for the Zenn Racing Team, 36th place on this day, was the result, in a relatively boring race that was all about positioning and adhering to the centerline rule.
We live to fight another day!
