Berk Clare at the Copperas Cove Road Race

OutRival Racing Cat 5 Cyclist Berk Clare made his 2011 Racing debut at the Copperas Cove Road Race last weekend.  Racing with the Woodlands Cycling Club Racing Team (WCCRT), Berk was able to contribute to the team and finish mid-pack in the 54-mile race.  

The race started out a little harried for Berk.  Lacking time to warmup (not recommended, btw), Berk had to line up at the back of the field and then work through the pack at the start of the race.  When the front of the pack split, all four WCCRT cyclists (John Hertel, Berk Clare, John Scott Wilmeth, and Lee Allen) got stuck on the wrong side of the split.  Berk was able to help bridge the gap back up to the front pack, bringing with him formerly ORR-coached cyclist, John Scott with him.  John Scott went on to win the race!

Here is a short race report from Berk:

"Lots of self-inflicted issues.  We got there at the last minute, did not have a chance to warm up, had to line up at the very back of the field.  Could not get around people for the first 30 miles.  Then the field split and all 4 WCC guys were on the wrong side of the split.  John Scott grabbed onto my wheel and I bridged across to the front pack.  Took about 3 minutes of redlined effort to get him there and I then popped and faded.  On the bright side, John Scott went on to win the race.  Anyway, it took me a solid 5 miles to recover afterwards, during which time almost everyone else passed me.  I eventually recovered and started treating it as a time trial.  Picked up a couple other guys and started rotating through.  Slowly re-passed people, making sure to grab Lee Allen and JJ when we went by them.  Ended up with a convoy of about 7.  Told Lee that I would be his lead-out guy for the final sprint and pulled him from about 2K out until 200 meters out and he then sprinted around… not that it mattered; only one other guy in our convoy even made an effort at the sprint."

Next up for Berk is the Tour of New Braunfels next weekend.  Let's hope the race isn't cancelled due to a 'predicted snow storm'. :-)

Congrats to both Berk and John Scott! Good luck in the Tour of New Braunfels!