In a matter of 24 hours, Travis McCabe (Holowesko Citadel p/b Hincapie Racing) went from being carried across the finish line in last place to flying through it in first.
A week later, he’ll test his legs Sunday at the Volkswagen USA Cycling Professional Criterium & Team Time Trial National Championships.
But McCabe said he and his team will treat it just like any other race.
“Going into crit nats isn’t really any different than any other race right now,” McCabe said.
But he probably hopes it will end better than last Saturday in California.
Redlands tumble
The Redlands Classic crit on Day 4 was shaping up to be a podium finish for McCabe as he kept a good position during the race and went into the last corner of the last lap third wheel.
But Kris Dahl (Silber Pro Cycling) went down right in front of McCabe, launching McCabe over the top of him and onto the pavement.
McCabe had this to say after the crash:
@TravisMcCabe @TeamHincapie post-race on crash – he was sitting 3rd wheel into the last corner! #RedlandsClassic pic.twitter.com/QW4oHWbVbN
— clippedin (@clippedin) April 10, 2016
Back in the saddle
His shoulder taped up, McCabe got back in the saddle for the final day of Redlands at the Sunset Road Race, a race he said he’s wanted to win since 2010.
“I remember only making it six laps that year and afterwards telling myself that one day I would win this stage,” McCabe posted on Instagram. “It feels pretty damn good to finally pull it off. Thanks everyone for the support and encouragement along the way.”
One day you’re crashing, the next day #winning. @travis_mccabe_yoga #RedlandsClassic
Photos by @cyclingillustrated posted by @quentin_sisco and reposted by Clipped In (@clipped_in) on
Photos by @cyclingillustrated posted by @quentin_sisco on Instagram and reposted by Clipped In (@clipped_in) on
Therapeutic recovery
McCabe had a few days to rest up before going from one U.S. coast to the other in Greenville, S.C. on a longer course with more corners than last year.
“I spent the week just trying to recover from this past weekend,” McCabe said. “The crash messed me up more than I initially thought but I’m feeling much better now.”
He even stopped in Tucson for some Chinese cupping therapy.
All eyes still on the blue train
And despite McCabe winning the Pro Road Tour’s first race, the Sunny King Crit in Alabama two weeks ago, he predicts crit nationals to be a bigger challenge.
“I think this one is going to be a hard race win because of the numbers and the strength [of] UHC, so I think we will be playing off them a bit more,” McCabe said.
Still, he has the support of former teammate and defending crit national champion Eric Marcotte (Team Jamis).
“Trav is my pick,” Marcotte said. “He’s got the teammates, and he has the finish.”