The race started out much slower than last year so I was able to stay towards the front for the first lap .The wind was brutal and the accelerations constant. I positioned myself well for the first trip into town up the hills and over the cobbles the group split and I was with the front group. The pace really started to pick up and the group split again in the crosswind as riders started to get spit out the back . I was with the lead group of 10 or so. Into town for the second time I knew the race would detonate on the climbs and cobbles so I stayed near the front . Up and over the climb I was in the top 5, now down the hill at 45 into the cobbles. That's when my rear wheel exploded, my rear brakes instantly locked up with the rim expansion, I was able to feather the front brake and stay upright into the corner. Even though the rim exploded my tire (Vittoria tubular) stayed inflated. So my day was over. I feel fortunate to stayed upright and come out unharmed,but... I was on a really GOOD day and was able to stay with the lead group through all hills, wind and accelerations. Sometimes its just not your day.
One note on the race. I think the wind and constant turns are the hardest part of this race. With a 20+ wind out of the SE, yu can never hide for long,crosswinds from the right become a headwind after a turn .Then it a crosswind from the left after the next turn, and after each turn(over 20 per lap) there is a crit like acceleration.
Here is picture of my rear wheel
Doug
