Castle Rock, Colo. Road Race July 11,1992 Masters 45+
NEMRT's Derek Williams was in Colorado for some altitude training prior to the National Championships. After riding the tour of Derango Derek felt he needed a tough tune-up race for his championship effort the following weekend. The race was 20 miles south of Denver on a course similar to Marlboro but with a severe climb every lap (and at altitude). Derek a notoriously slow starter didn't chase the early break attempts. The third time up the hill Derek, not knowing the names and faces, chose to go with an attack that seemed to have possibilities. At the top of the climb he looked back to see a fading pack and hammered away with the Colorado climber. The two built up a minute and a half lead and were not to be seen by the field again. Near the top on the final time up the hill Derek shifted to his 42-23 for the final push over the top only to find that his breakaway partner didn't shift and flew away. A surprised Derek tried but couldn't catch Bill Mcklintock, the Colorado district champion. Derek soloed in for a well earned second place. After the race the Colorado racers elevated Derek to hero status for just staying with Bill. "Bill is not use to that," said one of the racers "someone from the East shouldn't be able to do that." Derek seems to be ready, although his final strong training ride before Spokane was over Mount Evans at 14,000 ft. If he's not ready now he never will be. Good luck at the Nationals.