Sea Otter 2014

Often times, among teams, there is always a standout rider, a leader, a strongest rider. What I love so much about my new team Hot Tubes, is that we don't have one rider that is stronger than the other. We are all equals. We all excel in different areas, some are better climbers, some are better sprinters, and some are better time-trialists. Also what I love, is that we can all sacrifice for each other, we always race forward, we race together.

The Sea Otter circuit race, my favorite race of the year, was a fast one. All out from the beginning, like Mikey Hernandez attacking in the first two minutes. We were all racing aggressively, attacking one after another. Finally a break stuck, with my teammate Phil, Eric Oien and a Byrds rider. Now our job was simple, cover the attacks, and try to bridge to the break... Easier said than done, lol. Coming on one lap to go, I followed a move initiated by Jason Saltzman, and we exchanged little pulls, I then accelerated over the hill, with my teammate Phil and his breakaway companions in sight. I managed to catch them, around a kilometer to go until the finish, as I made it to the break, Phil looked back at me, and we exchanged a devious smile. I heard the sounds of of gears shifting down, and watched as Phil turned into a blue blur, flying away from the breakaway at unrelenting speed. I then attacked, ten seconds behind Phil, and we finished first and second. A little background, I have been in the breakaway, every single year at Sea Otter, but have never won..but this was a  win for me. It  was 100% team effort. Some made comments, "First loser, eh?", I replied, "Not technically, I'd rather say I was the second winner", because Phil won, and it felt just as good as winning.

Phil & I on the podium

The road race was also a display of teamwork just like the circuit race. We were in all the early moves, although each was reeled in, but Mikey followed the right move and ended up being in the winning breakaway. Again, our job was simple, cover the attacks, and take opportunities to bridge to Mikey. It was very negative, which worked to our advantage, because Mikey's gap to the field grew, and grew, and grew. It was short race, thirty-three miles, and before we knew it we were already on the finishing hill. We floated wheels, and rode hard to the finish. Ethan Reynolds won the bunch sprint. As we finished, we got the  word from Mikey, that he beat out his breakaway companion and took the win. Another win for the team.

A celebratory hug. Photo credit: TRU Cycling

Mikey and Ethan on the podium.

What I love so much, is that we have such a variety of riders, we have diversity. The circuit race, Phil and I go first and second, taking two podium spots, and in the road race, Mikey and Ethan take first and third. We all saw the podium, and Ian worked his arse off in each race to help us. This is why I love this team. We are all equally willing to sacrifice for each other. Thanks for a great weekend of racing boys, and also, a huge thanks to the Tolleson's for opening their home to us.

Love you guys.

Jack Maddux