Spring Series Hendersonville Crit

The final stage of the Spring Series was a 60 minute four turn crit in downtown Hendersonville. Palmetto State Medical Elite Cycling Team fielded a strong team of Ben Renkema, Matt Moosa, Parker Kyzer, Justin Meade, Chris Meacham, and myself. We had Matt in second overall trailing Ben Wolfe of Jelly Belly by two points. We thought our best opportunity would be to neutralize the field and have a field sprint.

              Riding the front of the Hendersonville Crit. 

Thanks Shane Orr for the photo.

Immediately at the start of the race Ben Wolfe attacked. I quickly made my way to the front, and helped to peg back this move with Chris Meacham. Shortly after, Parker joined Meacham and me. From this point on Meacham, Parker, and I just set a steady tempo. Riders would go up the road, but we would claw everything back. Within the final ten laps of the race no riders were attacking as we set pace on the front. With 5 laps to go we had it lined out with Moosa on our wheels. Things were really looking great. With 1.5 laps to go Wolfe laid down a vicious attack. I immediately pulled off because I could not respond after setting pace all day, and Parker and the rest of the team began to chase. There was a moment's hesitation, and that was enough for Wolfe to take the win and the overall in the spring series with Moosa taking second in the race and in the Spring Series.

 Final podium from the Hincapie Spring Series (left to right: Matt Moosa, Ben Wolfe, Brendan Rhim)

It was a little tough to swallow the loss after yesterday's race. However, we learned a lot from our loss. Even though we were upset at first the start of the year has been very good for our team. We won three races of the 6 we have started, and we have podiumed in every race we have started. We will sort out our kinks, and will be winning some more races shortly. Next weekend we will race Tour of the Southern Highland Stage Race in Woodstock, GA.