Race Report: 2025 Winchester Circuit Race - 4/5 Men

Race: Winchester Circuit Race - 4/5 Men

Date: May 10, 2025

AVRT racers: Jack Lund, Joe Garcia

Top Result: Jack (3/22)

Course: 4 laps of a roughly 4.5-mile circuit with about 350 feet of elevation gain each lap. The main features are a safe but very fast descent and an undulating punchy climb to the finish that includes two sections above 15% grade.  The pavement is butter and the course is incredibly fun!

Strava https://www.strava.com/activities/14437553169

Nutrition: One bottle with 60g carbs

Race Recap: 

I was really excited going in, as the course looked super fun and well-suited for puncheurs. 

The race was only four laps so I took a big warm-up and was on the lookout for anyone that wanted to blow up the race in the first lap.  Halfway through the first big climb, I was surprised there were no willing volunteers.  I made my way to the front and set a harder tempo as we crested the hill.  I usually like to save matches and stay in the pack… but I felt there would be minimal draft-benefit up the steep section and everyone else would have to match my pace too.

This continued for the next two laps.  I tried to push the pace on the climb, but I never seriously considered trying for a solo breakaway.  I think this was a fine strategy … It put me in the front of the pack for the rolling terrain section, and it made the race a little harder for the 200 lb pure-sprinters (who did indeed win anyway).

Going into the final lap, the descent dumps us directly into the final climb for the finish.  We all dump our remaining power for a two and half minute climb, and I’m edged out at the line by a VeloTrap rider for third.  This was a super fun race and I highly recommend it.  I also highly recommend taking hydration more seriously if you race again later in the day 👀