i came up a little short.. about 12 places short : ) finishing 13th. that´s not bad for a uci 1.2 race but still.. i really wanted to step up on the podium. things just didn´t go my way.. that´s racing. i CAN say that i´ve never ridden with a much heart and determination as i did yesterday.. for that, i am proud. the course didn´t favor me at all.. it was basically up a big hill for 1.5km and then back down.. at, about, 55mph. early on, i realized that i didn´t really have any friends so i decided to stay rested and pray for a miracle. for the most part, i took a page from the master himself, stephen cate, and tail-gunned for 80% of the race. the final three laps i was stuck out in the wind.. this way i could stay near the front. coming into the final turn, with 6oo meters to go, i was fifth. maybe a little too far up but i thought i could handle it. coming out of the turn, i was abruptly taken to the curb.. i should have anticipated it but didn´t. with two feet to spare.. i had no choice but to jump. it was still 500m to go and all uphill. as i stomped on the pedals i noticed a rider attacking up the right hand side of the road. i dug deep but all i could do is watch the guy, who eventually won, rafael andriatto, ride away. i kept a small gap on the rest of the field until the final 100 meters.. and then i ran out of gas : ( even more disappointing was watching the other 11 riders rage past me as i was gasping for air. i rode 110%.. i guess that´s all i could do. here´s a few pics.. on the attack.. a few laps to go.. my friends, and brazil´s top team, memorial-santos i have lots of other pictures.. but my camera has to be charged. i´ll post them when i get back. i better run.. surFy