Snelling Road Race

Zachary Hilton
Snelling RR 35 +4's

Snelling, CA 
Place: 50
Field: 70
Teammates: George Bonanto, Peter Cathcart, Alexander Komlik, Paul Young, Phil Tercero, Phil Malaspina

Weather:  50 no wind, no rain, no sun...but who cares no wind at Snelling!!
Start Time:  12:40 pm

Total Time: 02:12:00
Power: 200 W avg, 819 W max, 194 W NP  

Average Speed: 22.20 MPH, Top Speed 33.84 MPH

Average HR: 165 Max HR: 189

Elevation Ascent: 1,785 ft

Training Peaks Data

I'm riding my new 2015 Specialized Tarmac with Ultegra 6800 11 speed group set.  I ride a 53/39 11/28 for most races.  I am also racing with my Race Rim 46's Carbon Tubulars, and Vittoria Corsa EVO CX Tubulars.  I arrived early and warmed up on the trainer for around 50 minutes.  I don't really warm up until 45-50 minutes.  It was a long ride in the car again.  This time I brought a tennis ball for some in seat massage and stretching.  I didn't want any cramping.  I allowed extra time to stretch after I arrived.  I carried two bottles of Hammer Nutrition with me.  No need for a feed this race.  We did 4 laps.

I wanted to get to the start line early.  It gets really crowded there and if you aren't up from for the neutral start it gets sketchy in the back of the group.  We had 70 people register.  I had 8 SJBC guys and 7 were signed up for Revs Road.  The next biggest team was Rio Strada.  The neutral start went perfect.  Moto set the tempo and we were controlling the front.  Once the moto peeled off the wide open road the race was on full gas up the first roller.  There was no organization behind us, and SJBC took control in the front.  Several other teams were taking turns as we approached the feed zone for lap 1.  Of course the feed zone at Snelling is always an attack for the 35 4's.  Maybe because we do 4 laps and 2 bottles work out just fine.  No one was attacking the first lap and we all did a great job sitting in and watching the field.  The roads were a grinder as usual on Figueroa and Fields.  Make sure that everything is strapped and tightened!  Lap 1 completed.   In lap 2 after the feed zone a team named Genesolve came to the front several times and launched one of there riders up the road.  The first few times the field caught the solo attempt.      I think there was 4 of them, and they all looked like powerful crib riders.  Some counter attacks would happen as we brought Genesolve back in, but nothing would stick.  Several attempted to come around the front and attack but the group itself always pulled them back in.  This group was really strong and truly wasn't letting anyone get away.  Unless they were buy themselves.  On lap 3 a VSRT racer (not sure which one) launched an attack after the feed zone and I followed 2 others who were chasing him.  We got a bit of a gap and then they let up.  The VSRT guy was really strong, and maybe he was just testing the field.  He was itching to do something.  As we approached the rollers before Olsen Rd VSRT and a few others tried a break again and we had two guys to follow it.  They got a bit of a lead again but fizzled out and wouldn't work to keep it up. I thought it was going to be a great move away from the group with 1 lap to go but clearly it wasn't going to work.  Gene solve came up to the front again as we approached Figueroa and send sent one of there guys off.  This time he had around a 1:30 lead on us as we approached the feed zone for the last time.  SJBC and others kept the tempo high to finally reel him back in, and then Revs Road counter attacked sending one guy off the front.  He was able to get a good lead but was brought in as we turned onto Fields for the finish.  As we turned the 45 1/2/3's were screaming up to the line behind us.  I picked a wheel to hold onto and kept my head down as everyone swarmed all over and off the road up to the finish line.  I got boxed in a couldn't get around the wheel in front of me.  I slowly drifted back for an upright finish.  Congrats to my friend Tim Vickroy of Wells Fargo on winning Snelling RR this year.  We were teammates when Taleo Racing was around.  Looking strong bro!

I was happy with my performance.  My power numbers are up and I'm feeling great.  Each year I get closer to staying and competing for a top position at Snelling.  It's a great course.  I'm getting smarter about my positioning and saving my energy.  I might have had a bit more at the end if I hadn't spent time in the race chasing down some attacks.  This is a good block of training right now, and it's going to send me into our Team Training Camp in Paso Robles next month feeling strong!  Our Team Training Camp is pretty much a 3 day stage race :)

I used two bottles of Hammer Heed , an Oatmeal/Apple Hammer Bar, and two Hammer gels.

I've been taking Race Caps Supreme from Hammer Nutrition for a year now and I am hooked on the benefits.  On the longer distance races I used to get burnt out from the racing after two hours, but the race was for three hours.  I added some longer days of training, and with Race Caps Supreme I am now able to compete for an entire 3 hour road race.  I am also still a believer on a scoop of Hammer Nutrition Whey Protein mixed with water 30 minutes before bedtime.  I can wake up the next morning after a hard day, and do the same workout or race.

My next race is Chico Stage Race on February 28.


Thanks for reading!

Thanks to Race Rim Wheels!

Thanks to Hammer Nutrition!

Thanks to Voler!
Thanks to Vittoria Tires!

Thanks to SJBC Race Team!