M.F.G. Series Finals/Woodland Park

Woodland Park might go down as one of the best cyclo-cross courses/venues that we have seen yet in the Northwest. With huge evergreen cedars and many deciduous trees to provide cover, the course weaved in an around and included some grass meadows as well. With all of the recent rain, many corners were greasy and slippery and provided plenty of entertainment to the onlookers and fans.
The Bicycle Centers/Collision 1 Team had a plan to work for T.M.T. as he was sitting in 2nd place overall behind "Gallagher". The thought was that if he could beat him and Dr. Phil and myself and others getting ahead of Gallagher, this would be taking possible points away from him and enable TMT to get a point spread. On the start, TMT looked good and Dr. Phil and myself had our work cut out for us. With little points in the MFG series, we didn't get ideal start row positions. After the first lap, we were sitting around 13th place with TMT in 1st. We continued to move up as the race wore on in the attempt to catch and pass Gallagher for our team leader. At the halfway point, Phil and I began to turn up the heat, go get Gallagher. We continued to bring down what was at one point a 40 second gap. Every lap we were catching up to him. Unfortunately, I only got within 8 seconds or so of him and TMT faded to 3rd. There wasn't enough of a point spread so TMT finished the series in 2nd. Still very respectable.
I myself finished the race in 6th place. Considering that I left everything out on the course the day before at the State Championships, I was happy with my result. I only wished that I could have helped TMT a little more. However at one point during the race, I did offer an unknown rider $10.00 and a 6 pack of beer if he beat Gallagher. He said OK, but soon faded behind Dr. Phil and myself. Well, it was worth a shot!
Way to go Kristi for a great well deserved win. She came from behind and won the race on the last lap to beat the series overall winner from Idaho! What a great win, and how exciting of a race to watch.
Next week "Hilly Cross" in Bellingham on Saturday, and SCX #7 at Sedro Woolley (Woolley Cross)on Sunday. I'm looking forward to this race and feel good about it. Hell, it's MY neck of the woods.
Thanks for reading.