2009 US Pro and Crew
Everyone knows Local Pro George Hincapie took the win at the US Pro Cycling Championships here in Greenville, however, he did need some help.
My day started early helping with pre-ride mechanicals for the P3 charity ride,then enjoy a lap on the the course. Then the plan was to spend the day with the family and watch the pro race. Well after i finished the lap. I checked my phone and i had a call from Rich Hincapie "hey, bro George and Craig need a mechanic for today's race" of course i call right back and say,sign me up (looks like I'm out of retirement on being a race mechanic for the day). Team Columbia supplied a car only, no driver, director or mechanic. Rich informed me Steve Baker was to drive, He to be director, Jeremiah will be in the feed zone and I as Mechanic.
"Too make a long story short"
In typical last minute fashion we all put it together. Now, it was time to see the race from the back seat of the team car. We were # 13 in line so not quite able to see much action, we had to listen on race radio. The opening laps were crazy and after some fender bumping (we heard some other cars screeching and banging around us)good thing Steve has had some BMW training.
My roll if needed, was to be ready with wheels for quick wheel changes, bike changes any thing that might go wrong with the bikes (we had no mechanicals, so no classic mech.out the window adjusting a der.,that would have been too cool) and to be ready for that situation was very stressful with US title on the line. then you had the water bottle hand ups, find what gels were needed, how many bottles we had left, at times i had one hand in the cooler for more bottles and the other in the feed bag grabbing gels.
As everyone saw the peloton got crushed on the last trip over Paris Mtn and a small group formed to lead into the final laps. That's when it got super exciting in the team car with Rich shouting encouragements to George, Steve maneuvering the car like a pro around the turns, me holding on for the ride. When it came to the last meters we were shouting attack George attack, attack you got this.
In the end it was a totally local win from rider to support crew. It was a awesome day and George won.
To give you an idea of the 4+ hour ride, like riding a rollercoaster, once done first thought is when can we go again.
I would like to compliment all the cycling fans for supporting the race out on the course it was great to see that lap after lap.
Thanks for reading.
Ric Ramos (retired race mechanic, till that next call)
