National Road Race & T T July 19/21,1992 Masters 45-49
After the thin air of Colorado Derek headed west to Spokane, Wash. for the national championships. The road race was contested on what was described as one of the toughest road courses in the country. The race started at 1 PM with an air temperature of 105 degrees, some 20 degrees hotter than normal for Spokane. The temperature and the course took its toll early in the race with a very fast pace. Derek was a very prominate factor in the group that broke away eight miles into the race. As the race progressed the group dwindled from twelve to ten riders. Through the toughest part of the course John Howard and another California rider hammered over the top of a long climb and were gone. "The heat was so bad the officials shut down the feed zone and handed-up water from the officials car," said a near heat stroked Derek after the race "It's been a while since I stressed my self like to that degree". After a hard afternoons work and with the finish minutes away Derek, sitting with a chance form 5th or 6th, had the heat get the better of him. "I locked-up coming up to the finish and lost several places to riders we had dropped earlier. This was the hardest race I've ever done" added Derek. John Howard went on to win the race easily with Derek a very respectable 8th.

Sunday was to rest before the Time Trial. It seemed easier with the temperature a cool 85 degrees but the time trial is an hour of agony. Derek feeling the effects of the road race gingerly mounted the bike for another challenge. When the bell sounded Derek answered the challenge riding with another fantastic 8th place finish.