tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19455159.post-1147716058695057342006-05-15T10:04:00.000-07:002006-05-15T11:01:01.813-07:00The Joe Martin Stage Race has always been one of the best bike races in the region. The race, however, has a history of problems with results that they really need to get a handle on. After this year's race, and a VeloNews article that gives precious props to a rider who wasn't even there, I would say the Joe Martin folks need to invest some real PR effort into letting everyone know that getting the results right will be a major focus for them next year--and then really do that.<br /><br />Luke Musselman made the classic gut-check bike racer move jumping into a suicide break on day one. It was the classic balls-out move that every bike racer dreams of. You fire all your guns in an 80-mile break knowing you're probably committing suicide, but what the hell, maybe you'll get your sponsor's jersey into the bike mags or get a mention in an article alongside the famous names of your famous breakmates--you can live large for a while rather than not at all if you just sat in the pack and tried to finish anonymously.<br /><br />It was the kind of classic bike racing move we don't see enough of. All too many times, people just want to finish with the pack, or worse, they sit in the pack all day and then sprint wildly for something very near dead fucking last.<br /><br />So Luke pulled it off. He didn't stay out there for just a jump and a few pedal strokes, he was away in a freaking balls-out, Euro-style throw down with guys who spoke with foreign accents. Then the article in VeloNews credits a guys who wasn't even there. Honestly, that makes me want to puke.<br /><br />The worst part is that the guy they credit is also the kind of a guy who would take a courageous chance like that, and he's a friend of mine. If he had really done that and I was reading the VeloNews blurb it would have been so cool. But he wasn't even fucking there. That's not even funny. That just fucking sucks.<br /><br />In years past, I can remember standing around for hours at Joe Martin waiting for results that were hopelessly screwed up. I've long realized that you really needed to keep your own time and make sure they have it right, but that only brings me to another problem, which is a certain loss of dignity.<br /><br />Every stage of every category of Joe Martin is tough. There are no gimme's. And when you've invested that kind of energy, the last thing you should have to do is hang around for the undignified pushing and shoving at the feeding frenzy around the posting of the results. But if you don't, you risk being listed wrong or being completely missed. And the only thing more undignified than taking part in the results hog trough would be having to chase down an official and whine that you got screwed in the results.<br /><br />This year I flatted in the RR, but then rode myself back into the money in the TT and crit, only to fall out again when a rider who no one remembers being anywhere near the front got scored higher in the crit. I heard many similar stories of messed up TT results, incorrectly scored RR finishes, minute-by-minute changes in GC, etc.<br /><br />Joe Martin is a great event. The weather is usually wonderful. The scenery is absolutely beautiful. Every stage is a natural selection venue that rewards the fittest, and toughest, riders. Dickson Street is a great place to party. Joe Martin is one of the coolest races of the season, but they really need to get their shit together with the results. Later.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/19455159-114771605869505734?l=secondchurchofgravity.blogspot.com'/></div>JimmyMchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10671187171115476076noreply@blogger.com0