So some of the team decided to take a little breather following a tough Nationals and the rest headed to Ottawa for the OBC Grand Prix and the Ontario Crit. Provincials. Myself, Mark W, Mark B, Andrew and Joel made up the squad. Keir also raced on Saturday but was still recovering from some illlness and was on the sidelines for the crit. The Saturday race has one of the best courses around, held in Gatineau Park, it is a 21km lap with lots of rollers and as well as a more substantial climb at the beginning of the lap. Many breaks formed throughout, but none gained enough time to be decisive until the last time up the climb. Up to that point a strong break that looked to be the one was getting established. I was confident as we had Mark Walters up there and wasn’t worried if it stuck.
I was however ready to try and jump across if the opportunity came up. It turns out the EVA-Devinci team put in a good chase and brought it all back at the base of the climb as Patrique Azevado of the Garneau-Crocs team shot away from the break. I was a little hesitant to give everything trying to bridge and risk blowing at the top of the hill, so I kept things steady, gradually reeling him in by the top. We rolled the last 15km or so together nicely, but with about 1.5km to go I stopped working hoping for an advantage in the sprint. The slight slowing allowed for the bunch to come within seconds of catching us. Azevado lead out the sprint and I didn’t have enough to come around the speedy Brazilian, giving me 4, 2nd places in the last 5 races.
The next day we lined up on the National Reseach Council grounds for the Ontario Crit Champs. The field was a bit reduced, but still competitive as we rolled out for the 90min race. I was feeling pretty comfortable in the bunch early on trying to decide what the best tactic would be. A head wind on the back stretch made life tough for breaks to succeed as a similar scenario to the day before emerged.  A dangerous break containing Mark Walters was up the road, but this time it was the Garneau team leading the chase. Things were all back together with about 20min remaining. A bunch of aggression lead to a break of 6 chaisng 1 man. It was Azevado again and we had to chase with everything to finally get him back with about 3 laps to go. Garneau had the advantage with 3 men in the break but they weren’t too keen on attacking us. (what I would have done in their position) Again the pack was coming up fast, but fell short as JS Perron of EVA (and Quebec) took a very close sprint over Azevado with myself in 3rd. Not the way I would have preferred to be Ontario Crit champ, but it will have to do. Mark Batty was well up in the field sprint to take the U23 Championship.
Lastly, I would like to add a huge (delayed)Â thanks to Mark Walters parents for taking me, Bucker and Mark in their personal plane, from Peterborough to St. Georges for Nationals. What an amazing experience and by far the best way to Beauce.
