No better way to end our last “away” race this season than the Gran Fondo Maryland! Last year, we had a great time racing through beautiful scenery and tackling grueling hills. This year, I was eligible to compete in the 14–16 category for the National Championship, aiming to win a third national title.
Timing chip, start position, national anthem – and we were off for 110km of riding with more than 2,000m of climbing! The start positions for the National Championship were set by age category, and my group was second to last. My only goal leading up to the first segment was to move up so I wouldn’t get held up by slower riders.
I ultimately entered time segment #1 third wheel. I hung with the front group until halfway, where the climb got steeper. I finished the climb in 3rd place for my age group, with a time of 20 minutes and 32 seconds, which was just over 2 minutes behind the leader, Bennett Rose (18 minutes and 19 seconds).
Afterwards I joined Nate Beaver, who was sitting in second, and we chatted until time segment #2. We stayed mostly together until he pulled away on the final kicker with 200m to go.
On segment #3, the roads were narrow and passing was tough. Nate and a few others from different categories slipped through a gap that I couldn’t follow. I finished the climb a few seconds back, but still in 3rd place. Meanwhile, Bennett and his dad worked together and gained even more time on us.
For the final segment, Liam Winn, Nate, and I worked together to try to close the gap to Bennett. But Bennett caught us, and we started attacking each other. Ultimately, I finished 3rd out of 8 riders, which I was happy with — especially since I am at the bottom of the 14–16 age group.
Following the last segment (which ended at the Frederick overlook with its stunning view), Nate, Liam, and I descended back to downtown Frederick, chatting and analyzing our efforts.
Max is too young to compete for the Gran Fondo national title since he’s just 12 (you have to be at least 14), so he rode the 140km Gran route with 2,500m of climbing! That meant 30km more than me, 500m more climbing, and an extra timed segment. This route is NOT for the faint-hearted! His field started 30 minutes later, and he finished in just over 6 hours, including rest stop breaks (which Max particularly likes). He was the only U19 rider in the Gran route — so he won it! Well, you have to be in it to win it. Overall, Max finished 93rd out of 232 riders who started the Gran route. He also won a $125 bottle of balsamic vinegar in the raffle and, for winning his age group, a Gran Fondo Maryland shirt and bib.
Can’t wait to be back next year — with a sharp eye on chasing the national championship!
