Univest Grand Prix, 9-20-2003

by Tim Henry

The Univest Grand Prix is a huge race for up and coming riders. It takes place in Souderton, PN and the whole community comes out to cheer the racers on. The race is put on by cycling big wig John Eustice and he runs a good show. This is one of the most organized races I do all year and it really is a joy to do. The night before the race there is an athlete dinner where I met up with the rest of my team. Scottie would be our strong man along with Mike Jones while Robbie, Dave Wenger, and I would be there to help them out when possible. At the dinner we also found out there would be a French team, two Belgian teams, and a Dutch team present so we knew the race would be tough. The course is a great one that starts out with a 60 mile loop around the hills and valleys of the area. For the last 40 miles it heads back into town for 14 three-mile laps in Souderton with a nasty climb every lap. The large loop travels on small country roads that wind and twist and there are countless short steep climbs that break up the pack. To finish this is an accomplishment and less than half the field usually do finish. Last year Scottie got in a breakaway in the first two miles but got popped at the end of the race so I wanted to keep 
him from wearing himself out so early this year. My form is the best it has been all year and I felt great the day of the race. After introductions for almost every team at the race we were off. I started this race last year but was forced to drop out after mechanical problems so I had something to prove this year. The attacks came early on and Scottie and I were in a small split in the first two miles but we were brought back quickly. My teammate Dave then got in a three man group that got away 
right before the first intermediate sprint. The group came back together and some Europeans began trying to get away. I went with two riders and we got a small gap. After diving through a downhill righthand turn we were suddenly stopped by the motorcycle officials. After the pack caught up to us, they moved everyone over to the right side of the road and they let one 
official vehicle and one neutral support vehicle past the pack. Apparently these cars were supposed to be in front of us and somebody messed up at the start. Once we started again the race went on with more attacks and counters. Scottie got away with six or seven other riders and I bridged up with two Euros. I realized this was the winning break so I drove the pace 
while I could for Scottie. Unfortunately a few miles later we hit the first King of the Mountain climb and I went straight off the back of the break. I tried to get off the front for a few more miles but then decided to sit in and save energy for the laps around town. Scottie was up the road and that was what mattered. Things were uneventful until we hit the laps and I got in a breakaway with my teammate Mike Jones. Nobody was working because everyone had a man up the road so we were brought back. I then started to feel the effort of the first 60 miles and went to the back of the pack for a while. With four to go I made the split on the climb but started cramping. Everyone was worn out by this point and the pack let us roll away. Then with two to go our group blew apart on the climb. Three riders got away and I could not follow but I latched onto two others just behind. Unfortunately just behind is where we stayed. The three riders just in front were sitting in 29th, 30th, and 31st so we wanted to catch them but we could not. I was beaten by one rider in my group so I came in 33rd place. This was an incredibly difficult event and I am proud of my finish. Hopefully next year I can stay in the break and finish a lot better. Scottie ended up 21st and he won the sprinters competition. 

This was my last big goal for the year and now comes the politics of cycling as everyone looks for a better deal for next year. There are a lot of pros out of jobs this winter so pickings will be slim. I have two more races to show well at, Murphy, NC this weekend and Michelin two weeks after. Beyond that I will have three weeks to live like a real person. This includes not leaving every weekend, staying out late, and hanging out with friends. After three weeks of that I will be ready to return to the 
monk's lifestyle that is my cycling career. For all the sacrifices and suffering this sport takes, it's those few days out of the year when you do well and really feel like you accomplished something that makes it all worth while. 

Thanks for reading, 
Tim 


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