edgar soto - stage 1

Stage one was a seven-mile time trial over moderately hilly terrain. Last year I finished in 17:24, which was good enough for 11th place in the Cat 4 field. My goal was to shave a minute off that time today.

And I got a minute nineteen.

I pulled in today with a time of 16:05. Forty-three and one half seconds off the Cat 3 leader and good enough for sixth place. My time would have put me in the leader's jersey had I been racing Cat 4; 17th (of 98) in the masters field; 42nd (of 96) in the P/1/2/3 field.

I feel great about the ride, but there's a tight bunch right behind me. Fifth through ninth place are separated by less than two seconds, and I beat the three riders behind me by less than a second. That's close stuff.

Which makes you wonder... My coach was nice enough to loan me a rear disc wheel, a deep section carbon front wheel, and a TT helmet. How much time is all that stuff worth? Ten seconds? Thirty seconds? Had I rode 30 seconds slower I'd be in 28th place. It may all be worth the money... Thanks, Coach.