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<div align="justify">Tower Racing did a phenomenal job of hosting the State Road Race. I heard horror stories that a few people were unable to race because they stood in registration for over an hour, and then registration closed -- but by all accounts this was the only blemish on an otherwise well-organized event.</div>
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There were marshals all the way around the 3.2 mile course, at every inlet. The City of Oak Brook lent quite a bit of support with official road signs and barricades. The course itself, while a bit short, turned out to be quite a good one. The two little hills on the back side weren't quite enough to drop the fat kids, though. Let's hope Tower Racing does the State Road Race again and keeps the same course!</div>
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For the race itself - it started off as most do: slow and chatty. There were a few speed-ups for primes (JK won the Saeco coffee maker - but he doesn't drink coffee, EG got the SRAM crankset, Nick got the Voler bike pants), and little break attempts that didn't really go anywhere.</div>
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Halfway through, we got a little rain cloud right over the tight corner at the bottom of the course. I was intending to go through first, nice and slow, but Dan from Mack came around me. "Take it easy," I offered. Tranquil, tranquil. He made it through the tight turn, but then gave a little kick and then looked back to see if it was strung out while he entered the left bend. Oops. He ran over the manhole cover and took himself out. As a very wise EG or JB said to me later in the race, "you can't win the race in that corner, but you sure can lose it." I saw Dan riding backwards towards the start/finish on our next lap.</div>
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Right about now, you're bored, and I apologize, but this is where the race got interesting. We must have been at five to go (because that's what Chris says), and Chris Padfield (Team Pegasus) attacked hard. Luke (xXx), Jeff, and an ABD rider covered the move, but perhaps a few seconds too late, because they all popped trying to bridge. If Chris would have allowed some help (including a vitaminwater-Trek rider) to get up to him, we would have had a completely different race. The break would have had the luxury of a BurnA Racin' stranglehold on the field. But as it was, when Jeff came back, we knew we had a big problem on our hands. Padfield does not stop, and he's ridden away solo to several victories this year in the Cat 4s.</div>
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What came next was the most awesome display of strength and organization I've ever seen in a 3s race. My whole team, less me, went to the front and chased Chris down CSC-style. A few other guys were interested in a bunch finish, and contributed teammates with a pull or two, but the lionshare of the pullback over the next nine miles was done by vitaminwater-Trek. Were it not for my teammates' organization and sacrifice, surely Padfield would have ridden away.</div>
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With one-to-go it was all together, and I knew I had to go for the win after all my team had done. Looking back, I don't think there was anything I could have done differently. I started my sprint clear at 150m, but Tim Henry (Project 5) was right on my wheel. The weather was oppressive that day, and I gave it my all, but Tim blew by with 50m for the win. I puked after the line. Nevertheless, it was a strong finish to a good season for the team, and enough to take the ICA Cup overall. </div>
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It's crazy to think that the Illinois road season is over. This weekend is the Gateway Cup, which I've been waiting all season for, and Fall Fling (ABR) after that. Maybe some cyclocross...but damn - summer is over! What the hell? It feels like only yesterday that I was wishing for 60-degree weather to race in...and now it's come full circle. This sucks.</div>
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