11 Jun Missoula Pro UCI Race 2021
Missoula Pro UCI Race
(6/11/21) Short Track
U23 Team
Montana was sick! The short track was a super short loop that started on a gravel strip then went up to the top of a dual slalom track and then circle back around through a nice, wooded section. I started near the back of the group since it was my first UCI level race, but right off the start I shot into the middle of the pack. The laps were fast and hard, there was nowhere to rest on the course, my legs were frying. I got pulled after about 11 minutes finishing somewhere around 40th.
Taj Krieger
(6/12/21) XC
U23 Team
This course started in the same spot as the short track but dove straight into the forest and up a long fire road/single track climb. This course suited me better because it had about 800 feet of climbing per lap and it was steep and consistent. I decided to pace my start so I could pass people on the climb, that worked out well as I made up a lot of positions on the first lap. By the time we got to the single track I was sitting at around 35th. As the laps got knocked off, people began to get pulled but I kept going. I did all six of the laps and tried to keep the pressure on the group that I was with on the climbs. I ended up staying in the same position going back and forth with a few riders until the finish, eventually coming in 37th on the day.
Taj Krieger