Camaleonex 50k-the full story

The day started easy enough. The best crew a guy could have(my wife) and I made a quick trip over to Nuevo Laredo, MX for what is year 2 of the Camaleonex 50k . If there's one thing that will bring out a lot of riders it's cool weather, and plenty of cash to be had......if your fast enough and don't mind riding on the edge of loosing your breakfast. I don't eat a whole lot race mornings, so I didn't have much to lose, I was ready.

After all the anticipation, we we're finally off, and in fine fashion, like a bunch of Fox in a forest fire(that's fast if your from where I come). I'm on the inside of the corner in 5th at this point. The Turbo Team set a blistering pace(in yellow) from the start. I made the first group, so my first goal was met. We proceeded to tackle multiple jeep roads and creek crossings for the first few miles. First Turbo rider attacked, though I didn't see it, the dust was so bad in some spots it was all I could do to keep my line. As we hit the first single track section it was much easier for me to keep in contact( I've never been much of a wide open road power guy). I got up into 3rd for a bit, but lost contact with 2nd over a log section(kind of like a cyclocross dismount deal). Back out on to the jeep roads and back into 5th I went.

Back through the start/finish area and headed out for the second loop(the course was kind of a big figure 8) wifey had just enough time to play photographer and hand me another bottle of Infinit. At this point I'm about 10 seconds back of 3-4 place riders.

The second loop was more of the same, a lot of jeep road, a little single track and at least some smaller hills so I could make up some ground on the others. It was another case of yo-yo-ing back and forth. Whenever we got to some technical sections or hills I would close the gap, but on the wide open road the gap widened. Unfortunately, there was way more power areas than tech. sections. I have a plan to remedy this, but that will come in a couple days.

Made up some time on 4th place so as we're getting closer to the end I'm looking for places to get a gap on him. One last push into the wind and I suck his wheel for about a mile, which ended up working out good, there was only about 2 miles to the finish.

For the first time in my racing career, I had to plan out a sprint finish. I had the lead out and was able to keep it. Here's a pic from the finish, the Garmin had me at 30.2 mph at the line and in 4th.

One last post race pic with the race promoters . They did a good job getting the riders out there. There were 202 total riders, and most from out of town. I'm standing next to 2nd place, 1st and 3rd are over on the left. 1st paid $1,000, and for my measly 4th, took home $305.81. Not a bad days work.