Started Stage 5 tired but, motivated to do something special.

I was 10 seconds down on a couple riders and really wanted to move up on GC from 9th place. The bulk of the field is tied for 7th and I want out of that scrum.

The race: an 11 mile loop around Antioch college! (go Liz Flyntz!) Windy and pretty much flat. A couple tiny, tiny rollers and one small ring 1/4 mile pitch a mile after the finish.

There was no where to make a move on todays course. The field would split right after the main climb but, it was 8 miles from the finish and through cross windy open flat roads.

I risked sitting in the chase group to conserve energy and sure enough, we would bring it all back together within a mile or two.

The run in to the finish started with one of those insignificant rollers, a sharp left into downtown Springfield and then another sharp left onto the long finish straight which could not be any flatter or exposed.

I figured I was screwed. I knew I could top 10 or 15 in a big field sprint but, my hopes of snatching the time bonus for 1-3 place were shot.

I told my teammate Akira I wanted to be a few wheels off the front going into town. he obliged, moving us up into the front but, we got split apart and ended up on opposite sides of the road.

A few elbows were thrown and I got through the first left hander ok but, there was traffic in the last turn and I missed the hood of a red sedan by centimeters!

I pulled an Abdoujaparov to snag the wheel of someone who was going WAY too early on the far side of the road. I found my 11, hesitate, find my 12 and glance over to see the whole field sitting on Hekman’s wheel.

This big Fiorda guy starts pulling ahead and I jump on my 11, desperately trying to get on his wheel but, he put it into over drive and took it by a bike length.

2nd place?!

I don’t know where the hell that came from.

Seems like everyone was playing “let’s suck the guy who we know can sprint’s wheel” today and I benefited by going with the little move that could.

Sweet! Got some cash money for the team and moved up to 5th on GC. Tied with 2 Ital-pasta riders.

Going for the win today, no shit.

Slept in this bed last night. It was amazing.