Greg Hall, 2001 35+ State Criterium Champion

Teammates: David Orr, John Schreffler

The 9:25 start time made for an early departure. Picked up David at 5am and rendezvoused with John on the way out Hwy 71. A new personal best of 2 hours, 45 minutes, including one stop, was set along the way. We arrived in time for the first of several brief rain showers that luckily abated before the start.

Alvin has hosted the Tour de Braz weekend for some time now and knows how to put on a great event including lots of cash prizes, free food, showers, etc. The course is basically flat with 4 corners plus an added chicane and dogleg leading to the finishing straight. Wind is always a factor on this open course and definitely had an effect this year as well. Two sides were crosswind gutter. The other two sides were a brutal headwind and a ripping tailwind.

Our team strategy was pretty simple in that we had to be present in any early breaks and then, if necessary, be prepared to set John up for a finishing sprint. Staging revealed the usual suspects and a few unknowns. Quannah was down on numbers as only Jeff and Rodney were there. Southern Elite had a full complement including Lamb, Chandler, A. Whaley, Quinn. Flying solo were L. Whaley (Hybrid), Bain (Matrix), Fisk (HnH), Erickson (Matrix), Seghi (Velocity) and some miscellaneous Altra, GCCA, NWCC. I'd estimate the field size around 30-35.

Our 40 minutes plus 5 lap race began with a neutral lap led by a sponsor's Hummer. The rolling start afforded us an immediate jump to race pace and soon the typical Jeff Austin gutter lining action commenced. The pressure continued with the first break of 6, including David, launching off the front. John rode a fast moving train up to the break and the rest of the pack merged soon thereafter. The attacks continued and when there was no response to a solo move by Brad Fisk, I popped off the front in pursuit and the two of us were out front just long enough to split a cash prime. Our recapture instigated an instant response and surprisingly it came from yours truly. Though not fully realized until later, it was a moment where opportunity met preparation (some would say, luck). A lap later there appeared a solo rider. And when Quinn came up he didn't sit on but actually pulled through. HalleluJAH! We set about to working a gap that steadily grew from 10 to 25 seconds thanks to our respective teammates. At long last, the lap cards came out and showed 5-to-go. Salvation was at hand if we could hang on. 4-to-go and word comes that the gap is closing. 3-to-go and I can see the Jeff lead pack is lined out and only a few seconds back. A fight and flight instinct takes hold and I bolt across the backstretch trying to reopen the gap. Quinn gets gapped in the process but claws back on the downwind. Approaching the start/finish and horror of horrors, 2-to-go is shown as 3-to-go. Deja vu disaster like the Stick crit? No! The official flips the lap card just as we pass. Only after negotiating the headwind stretch do I dare look back and joyously discover that we've distanced the pack again and barring a mishap, we'll be on the podium. The bell tolled for Quinn and the rest when the coup de gras was delivered on the backstretch. Coming down the finish straight, the required zip up was affected and very soon afterwards, there was much Violet Crown rejoicing.

Thank you David, John and the Paterson family for the race support. Also a big up to Phil for keeping the old bike in the game.

"Golden boy" Slim

PS. A partial finishing order:

1. Greg Hall (Violet Crown)
2. Jim Quinn (Southern Elite)
3. Richard Lamb (Southern Elite)
4. Paul Chandler (Southern Elite)
5. Tom Bain (Matrix)
6. Al Whaley (Southern Elite)
8. John Schreffler (Violet Crown)

In the words of the Mystery Writer (or was it the Myster Rider?), "We beat all ya'll".