Nationals 2017
Nationals 2017
This year nationals took us to Grand Junction, Colorado. This was exciting because it was the first time I had a couple of fellow para-cyclist from Team PossAbilities make the trip.
Although it was May it felt like December outside. I got to experience my first major hail storm on my bike when went out for a preview of the course prior to the races.
Although the weather wasn’t ideal for a Californian, I managed to finish 4th in the TT. The road race was super hilly and I was itching to get on the podium. On what I thought was the second to the last lap I made quick work of the steepest switch back hill and was running in 2nd place. I then decided to try and save some energy and draft my fellow competitors, but as we approached the line I was drafting Tony Pedeferri when I heard someone yell, “Your finishing now”, By the time I figured out what was going on we crossed the finished line and I was in third place.
The final race of the weekend was the crit. I was having a great race until I got caught up in lap traffic and had to expend more energy than I planned on the second to last lap. I ended up on the podium in third place by about three seconds in a sprint finish.
As always, I learned a lot that weekend. My coach as well as I am very happy with my performance!
Thanks to Cotie and Pedro for their pit crew services. I would also like to congratulate Jenna, Brett and Chris on their very impressive racing.
Del Dunston
