[ed: Here's one more Winner's Notebook for Murad tomorrow. This tip comes from Tom Soladay, formerly of Lateral Stress Velo and now racing professionally with Time Pro Cycling. Tom will be in town this weekend, not to defend his Pro/1/2 title at Murad, but to lay down some heat at the CSC Invitational. He knows what he's talking about. Pay attention.]
Winner's Notebook: MP Murad Road Race
Tom Soladay, Time Pro Cycling
A general tip: The course itself is not challenging, so expect a lot of attacks. It is easy to sit in the field and can be hell to get off the front of it. Be near the front when the race turns off of River Road and onto Hughes. This is the road you finish on and there tends to be a cross-headwind, putting most riders in the gutter with no wheel to draft. It is often where breaks establish themselves and can be the hardest effort of each lap. Also, it is a long sprint where wind will play a big factor. Be sure not to open up your sprint too early. My advice is attack when the race is hard. If you wait till it eases up, half the field can follow your wheel. Don’t forget to pick your moments, have fun and most importantly... RELAX!
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Go get 'em Tom. Topple those giants.
Posted by: Matt Cooke | June 01, 2008 at 12:38 AM