June 27, 2004 - INTERVIEW
Name: Don Pagano
City: Carlisle
State/Province: PA
Country: USA
Age: 42
Place: 1st
Category: Sport
Class or Age Group: Vet II
Team: Yellow Breeches Racing
Race Bike: Santa Cruz Blur
Tires: Specialized Roll X with Stan's
Conditions: Dry, sandy, FAST!
Email: hd383@comcast.net
How was your fitness level going into this race?
I'm never satisfied with my fitness, and I was really tired all week, but
the weather was so perfect that I felt energized for the race. I was carrying
too much beer weight.
Were you happy with your position going into the
singletrack?
Yes. These guys start really fast, so being 4th or 5th at the top of the
big hill was a pleasant surprise. A minute or two later I had a close
encounter with a big stump that caused me to drop my chain. I re-grouped, and
caught back up, but I expended way too much energy in the process. I never
learn!
Were you strong from start to finish?
No! I faded pretty badly at the end of the second lap, and Kevin Dillard
closed on me in a hurry - he was riding smooth and strong the entire
race.
When did you put the hammer down?
A bunch of times! This course is so fast and tight, that any kind of lead
evaporates as soon as you let up. Kevin Dillard's relentless presure
made me expend a lot of energy. Somehow, with the finish close, I had just
enough in the tank to make a late charge and finish just 15 seconds in front
of Kevin.
Did you have any unusual problems?
Minor stuff. Some shifting issues, losing the chain right after the start,
nothing like Hershey - I had nasty mechanical issues, then hit a tree
hard enough to bend my fork at Hershey!
Were you happy with the way the
race was run?
Absolutely. The crew was great, the course was tight and fun, and the weather
was perfect. It was great to finally race on a dry course! Really great
people - I was most impressed by that.
Did you have any interesting
experiences during your race (exchanges with competitors/spectators)?
Even though everybody was racing hard, sportsmanship was excellent. There
was a lot of interesting conversation going back and forth. Oh yeah, on
the last lap I was so exhausted from trying to keep Kevin in my sights that
I almost fell off the mandatory dismount bridge!
Anything you would like
to add?
A great, well run event! This was my first time here, and I really enjoyed
the event. Kevin Dillard rode a heck of a race - he was the victim of
traffic on the very last climb that enabled me to squirt by and get the lead
back. How 'bout those Clydesdales?! Great job YBR! Go Fish!