This is worth a little more blogging.

Crashing at Athens! I was racing the amateur race, because I think there's less likelihood that assholes like Sundt will purposefully knock me down, which has become my perception of the pro race.

had a great crash, epic. Came out real banged up, real cut. I'm made of rubber i guess, because I have no broken bones.

The race is 20 laps of 1km=really fast with a big field of amateurs who've qualified earlier in the day from their respective category races. A cool format (race, qualify, race final infront of crowds prior to the pro races) allthough the day was crappy with on and off rain. I was totally on for the final, and spent the entire race at the front avoiding the big field, feeling strong and comfortable.

2 laps to go, got swarmed so I moved up on the outside going into the 4th turn. Too far outside and I was TIGHT against those metal fence barriers they use at big races. I knocked some  knuckles on the fence (my pinky looks like a black/blue sausage now), controlled that enough to come away from the fence. Of course its about 10 guys wide and I pull myself away from the fence right into some handlebars. We lock, lean and I use the fence  to shred myself. There seemed nothing I could do--I just made a mistake being on the outside with too many guys shoulder to shoulder at the end of the race.

Shoulder gash, about 2.5" long, 15 stitches. NASTY.

 

My knuckles look as if I shredded cheese with too much vigor.
My forehead wailed on the fence or ground, not really sure. = 5 stitches

 

The doc said I can sit model, though.

Its such a big race, thousands of spectators and an amazing event. I'm super thankful to the nice people in the beer tent adjacent to my crash that pulled me off the course, warmed me up and applied pressure to my wounds.

Love it!