Date: Monday, June 28, 1999 8:19 PM
Race: Junior Road Nationals
Location: Cinncinati, OH
Written By: Justin Thompson

      After a fun and relaxing weekend of mountain biking at Jim Thorpe Justin Thompson headed into the Ohio river valley for Road Natz. Mr. Compton was the director sportif and supplied Justin with tons of roadie info for his first big road experience of his career. Many said the 1999 Road Nationals were the worst natz ever. The Time Trial which was scheduled for Thursday was not approved by the USCF officials present and after sitting in the rain for the 2 hour delay it was finally canceled. Justin's road race was held at Northern Kentucky University on Friday.
      A race which started with almost 70 competitors in the Men 15-16 was broken down into a lead group with about 20 racers and all of the others left behind with there tungs hanging out. After 2 racers went off the front and put 30 seconds on the peleton Justin found himself working fairly hard in the main pack. This is how the whole race went until the last lap. With one lap to go it seemed like everyone in the pack was tired so I whispered to the dude next to me, "Yo dude, lets drop these punks." We took off and continued to put distance on the lead peleton. The adrenaline of getting away from the pack made us go faster. Once the finish was in sight I told the guy thanks for working with me and told him I would see him at the finish. I put some distance on him with a couple hundred yards to go and came in third place. I was fairly happy with my podium spot but until I get the national champ jersey watch out!!!
      On Sunday Thompson competed in the Criterium Nationals. The course was an insane 0.9 mile loop with 8 turns!!!!!! I was overjoyed that I didn't crash and had a lot of fun. I finished in the lead pack and was some where in the sprint. Justin Thompson will be home for a couple of days and will then be on his way to a stage race in Fitchburg, MA.