Who said turning around in circles was boring ?

Racing the Charlotte Presbyterian Invitational last week end, I was quite nervous about my form comming into the event.

Two years ago, I was on good form when I participated and finished 34th, Then, I was also tired from the 4 crits I did the days before without recovery in between. 

I got a call up to the line, meaning I would start in the top position and would'nt have to battle my way to the front. With high excitment and febrility, their was about 50 000 cycling fans along the 1.6miles criterium ! The 80km race started pretty fast as anyone expected and on the second lap I almost crashed when a rider in front of me made a big wave. His back wheel touch my front and busted 3 spokes and somehow I manage to stay upright and change wheel in time for the next lap where I retook position at the front.

Mastering criteriums techniques takes time, but who better than my teammate Emile Abraham to teach me. He is one of the best specialist when it comes to criterium and how to move in a peloton. It turns out, my leg were better than I expected and I was able to stay in the top position all race long. In the end, I was pretty cooked for the sprint but still finished in 17th avoiding a crash in the last 400m...

The next day, we were racing the Noda Grand Prix, still in Charlotte. The course was short and technical and I went from the gun trying to split it up. The Exergy team did a great job controlling the race and all attempts were neutralized. Emile and I finished in 12 and 14 respectively...

Today, we are now racing in Anniston, Alabama the Sunny king weekend. Don't miss the live coverage !

http://www.sunnykingcriterium.com/

JM