Grant Lampson Dominates OKC Pro Am | Race Recap
May 31st - June 2nd, 2019 local Northwest Arkansas Advanced and Women’s cycling team, Breakaway Cycling Team, loaded up their bikes and Chamois Butter and started their road trip to Oklahoma City for the OKC Pro Am race. Advanced team member Grant Lampson, accompanied in the Men’s 4/5 field by his teammates Joel Boama and Jacob Smithpeters, dominated the field all weekend.
Friday
Grant found the Friday night criterium “interesting.” Local Oklahoma State Champion, CJ Morrison, went off the front on the first lap. According to Lampson, “I don’t think anybody knew if he was going to stay off.” On the last lap, Grant was able to pass about eight people on the downhill in order to lead the field sprint and finish 2nd step behind Morrison.
Saturday
Saturday’s course was high paced and featured one hill. Grant stated hills were not his strong point for him, so he implemented a strategy:
"I played it smart and stayed on someone’s wheel to follow them on attacks and get a draft"
While the hill on Saturday’s course was extreme, it was relatively short. Lampson didn’t mind the hill, since he knew how to race smart, implementing sag climbing and other energy-saving techniques. Riders may use “sag climbing” as a technique to reduce his or her efforts on a hill, especially if climbing is not his or her strong suit. What is sag climbing?
“Sag climbing” is when a rider positions them self at the base of a climb near the front of the peloton. They slowly drift to the back over the course of the climb. This is a great way to crest the climb with the group, but with a lower power output. Unless there is a time bonus or mountaintop finish, riders only need to remain in the group, not at the front of it. “Sag climbing” is best done on shorter, narrower climbs in larger groups.
Saving his energy over the course of the race, he was ready to throw down some watts. Collectively, the peloton must approach the corners slower than a solo rider can, since each rider must be cognizant of others’ lines and not take the fastest line. Grant planned to use this to his advantage. After cresting the climb on the last lap, he sprung forward, soloing the last three corners, which was especially effective, since he could take the corners faster than the other riders. This technique put him well ahead of the group, and it got Lampson the win for the day.
Sunday
Grant’s performance during the Sunday race displayed his raw power and smart riding style. He claimed 2nd place. We asked him how the race went for him and how he performed. This is what he had to say:
"Sunday was a very fun course with tight corners and short straightaways. With seven laps to go, they had a prime for some carbon bars, so I followed a wheel up and passed them at the start/finish line. I got the bars and a gap, and I heard some guys around the corner say to stick with it, so I sent it. It was a risky move with only seven laps to go, so I had to work very hard and pace myself. About three laps to go, I really felt the pain but had to keep pushing. On the second to last straight away, one person passed me, but I knew the finish was right around the corner. I gave everything in my legs and was able to finish 2nd".
Grant Lampson consistently put on an impressive display of dominance over the Men’s 4/5 field all weekend. Friday night he was able to finish 2nd place. Then he goes ahead and finishes top step Saturday. To finish the weekend out, he created a solo break with an impressive number of laps to go that results in another 2nd place finish. The OKC Pro Am served as a great stepping stone for Grant Lampson and the rest of Breakaway Cycling Team to transition into the road racing season and start their summer criterium racing schedule.