Winner's Notebook: Tom Soladay on the MP Murad Road Race

[This Winner's Notebook comes from Tom Soladay, formerly of Lateral Stress Velo and now racing professionally with Team Mountain Khakis. Tom won at Murad in 2007.]

Winner's Notebook: MP Murad Road Race
Tom Soladay, Team Mountain Khakis

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!