Gateway Cup
Giro della Montagna
P/1/2
St. Loius, MO
9/2/2007

Joseph LaFico

This evening we raced at The Hill. We had 133 starters:)

The Hill is an Italian neighborhood and there is most definitely a hill on the course. the gun went off and I didnt have that much warm-up so after the first 2 laps I thought I'd get in a little opener in the legs and take a flyer. I lead the race for about a half lap and was sucked up pretty quickly. this time there was no hanging out in good position and I pretty much went straight to the back to assume by tailguning duties for the evening.

Considering my massive hangover and sour stomach from last nights debauchery I had a great race. The course was pretty stinking tight and there were a couple wrecks but I was fortunate enough to stay out of harms way. That said the tailguning was a little more nerve racking as the leader of the field were sometimes hitting the the next corner just a few second after I was coming out of the last one. The hill was definitely taking the toll on folks today. Again just punched tickets as folks went off the back.

i definitely made my move too late this evening. that accompanied by the fact that the pace and the competition is stinking strong in comparison to what I'm used to. I was not in contact with the front 20-25 guys as they went into the second to last turn. most people who had lost contact with the front folks quickly realized that the day was over and sat up....again I should have made the move earlier and made contact with that front group. I just have this thing about finishing hard....I knew I was about 30 people back ...maybe more, but I still wanted to finish hard. I think it is a mental habit that I need to move up in these races.

Lesson learned after tonight's race

1) I am not as strong as I continually think I am and moving up in the last couple laps from the back of the field takes a huge toll especially when you need it for the finishing blast

2) Position is everything!

3) don't drink so much on a big weekend of race.....NOT!