Stage 2 was a 50 mile road race. The course was a very challenging out and back with a little loop at the far end. The race had six 1 mile climbs (three on the way out and the same three on the way back) plus a horrific 1 mile, steep, nightmare climb at the far end of the course. In between the climbs was plenty of rolling, open terrain with wind. Today we had the added bonus of a steady hard rain to add to the mix.
Since we had such a small group and the race was fairly long and challenging I figured we would have a nice easy time of it for a while and let attrition take its toll later in the race. I was totally wrong. Honeywell/Road Dogs started attacks right from the start with Team Bloomington/Bacardi marking and counter attacking. Eventually a 2 man group got away with a 3 man chase following shortly. With all the teams represented up the road there was little attempt to chase. But once the break was away the team tactics continued with the various teams attacking each other, letting gaps open up, and trying to break more guys off the front.
In the end, 3 of the 5 in the break stayed away. Everyone but Team Bloomington/Bacardi had their GC guy in the break. I'm not sure if they didn't pay attention to the standings, or what but the Bacardi boys decided to mark the break with a domestique who eventually was dropped. Their GC guy finished in the field.
As for me, my legs were absolute trash today. I felt like I was pushing two rubber noodles around. It was a complete change from how I felt yesterday so hopefully I'll be able to snap out of it tomorrow.
