Greetings Team Active Racing Fans:

Team Active racers Joe Kucharski and Devin Winton competed in the first Toru de Mont Pleasant this past weekend and enjoyed beautiful weather and some exciting racing.

Joe competed in the Cat 5 division and finished 3rd in the Criterium and 11th in the Road Race.

I competed in the Cat 4 division and finished 8th in the Criterium and 14th in the Road Race.
The Cat 4 Criterium was the last race Saturday night and the streets of downtown Mt. Pleasant were pretty hot after a full day of racing. We started with a field of 32 and right from the start we were flying. The only problem area was the second to last turn where we went from a wide full road to the right lane on a separated boulevard. It was the second lap that two racers went down right in front of me. I endo'd and after getting my chain straightened out, took a free lap and continued on. There were several crashes in that corner, and the only recommendation for next year is that they extend the course one block to avoid that corner. There was never any let up, as we continued to push the pace with surges coming from the left and right. The countdown started with 9 laps to go. Always near the front but not leading, I tried to position myself so as not to crash again. Coming out of the final turn on the final lap, I just avoided a crash in front of me and came across the line 8th. Average speed was 26 mph, and my ave hr was 178.

After a night's rest, I returned for the 33 mile road race. After the pros departed on their 105 mile race, each of the successive categories departed approximately 5 minutes apart. We had the largest field (about 50 riders) in the Cat 4s, and despite some early surges, it was relatively calm. I chased two breaks and caught on, but pulled the rest of the peloton along the way; so after burning those matches, I still wanted to have something left for the finish. About a mile and a half from the finish, a lone rider broke away and was never caught. In the field sprint, I came in 14th, and happy that I didn't crash, as there was a crash in that last mile. The Seven did great during the Crit, and the Super Six performed superbly in the Road Race.

It was a special treat to see Frankie Andreau again, as he had come to Battle Creek for a Team Active End of Winter party several years ago. I mentioned it to him and he remembered the event.

For some reason, the results were delayed for over 2 hours, but as a result, I got to see the finish of the pro race. What an incredible experience to feel the wind generated by these riders as they sprint for the finish.

All in all, a very enjoyable weekend in Mt. Pleasant.

Devin

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