D- Rock is state crit champ!

As the sun set on Saturday's state criterium championship in Cedar Rapids, our very own Derek Cassaday climbed on the top step of the podium to accept his gold medal.
Kevin and I contested the cat 3 precursor to the big show. The course was a quintessential criterium and the downtown setting drew a nice crowd. The cat 3 race strung out at first with high speed through the wide corners. The wind brought the group more together and from then on it was a flurry of attacks. The attacks were all brought back and the final laps heated up. Kevin came through the final corner in good position for the drag race for the line, and banked the silver medal! I nipped the last money spot for 10th.

As the sun dipped lower, the 1's and 2's lined up. Will, Bryan, Derek, and Lee were our cards in the race. Bryan took to the front right away and drew some other good riders up to him. All our guys kept starting moves and forcing the pace on every lap. There were several moves that looked like "the one." but there was strong firepower in the bunch to bring it back. This was a great race to spectate. The guys from World of Bikes including shop owner Ryan Baker made a loud support gallery near the finish.
The speed was incredible, and it kept ratcheting up as the laps counted down. Bryan was in a move near the end and was doing tons of work to keep it out but that was brought back as well. Then on the last lap D-Rock launched out of the pack, which was already at full bore, with our friend Adam Price following. Derek slammed through the first two corners to increase his advantage, drilled it on the far bridge with a tantalizing lead. With the churning pack threatening to swallow him up, Derek launched out of the final corner as if he had 2nd stage rocket boosters in his legs. This left him with enough time to raise his arms and savor the victory.
It was an awesome win for Derek and the team. The way in which he won was so impressive for the shear power and speed needed to get away and stay away from the pack at full tilt. After collecting his gold medal and the post race interview, the team gathered back in Iowa City for burgers and beers at Short's. I had the Dundee, the burger with an egg on top, for I would need all the energy I could get for Sunday's circuit race.