g_lev wrote:
I was "MOP" in M35-39 (as in I finished right in the middle of the AG at this race).
From my perspective I saw three draft packs over the last 20 miles. A good 20-30 people in each one all blow past me. It took actual effort on my part to fall off the back of those the draft was THAT strong. I wasn't moving slow either averaging over 23mph over the last 28 miles (after the descent) and those guys had to have been hauling over 30. Bunch of cheaters. Ugh.
I do have to pose one large gripe though with the Ironman motos. They had a media guy on Nassar the whole race, and when he passed my me around mile 18 or so his moto got IN MY WAY to get video on Nassar. Literally this moto was rolling along right next to the guy and holding up faster bike traffic, and eventually was holding up slower bike traffic as the road started climbing. I passed this "peloton" that the moto forced on us and when it passed again I told the guy he was straight up interfering with the race. He gave me some snotty comment about it being my job to tell him to get out of the way. Fuck that guy. He was driving dangerously and impeding the race. I plan to complain to Ironman about this one.
I knew this would be on here! I will also be complaining. I'm in your age group and we must have been riding by each other. Started right about mile 18-20 for me as well. Nassar and his camera crew were unacceptable. First of all, his highness does not pull to the right. If you want to go around him, you must go into traffic and try to dodge his camera moto, who is swerving at other cyclist to miss the traffic coming at him. A Georgia State trooper actually yelled at him for this. I was able to sprint around and drop him a few times. I'd be hammering to pull away (same as above, those of us trying to get away were just leading him out), and then about a mile down the road I'd hear his disc a comin' with moto and pack of guys trying to get around them. We'd fall back, he'd block and bunch us up. A marshal gave out penalties to a few guys but it wasn't their fault. I argued for a guy in front of me that was penalized and told the marshal what was going on. When he asked who it was I said "that Prince Nassar guy and his crew (he had a guy on his team always riding about 15-20 yards behind, I'm assuming security)", marshal didn't respond and just rode away. I really am glad he's putting so much money into our sport. I was actually excited to be riding with him at first. I know some guys ride like that and don't even realize it, but the actions of his camera moto were completely unsafe. We are very lucky none of us were seriously injured or worse by his reckless driving. I have to commend the other guys who had to deal with this for 30+ miles. I saw some great bike handling skills and sportsmanship as we dealt with the situation. Ironman should never allow that to happen again. Had something bad happened, they would have had a lawsuit on their hands with about 20 witnesses.
On a positive note- Fantastic experience! Great course, amazing crowd support, awesome town. Had a blast!