The MetLife boys once again braved the elements on Saturday for the 16^th Annual Sterling Road Race.  The drive out gave the team, represented by Brad, Andrew, Ryan, Peter, and Corey, a preview of the upcoming misery as stiff winds blew in thunderstorms with cold and torrential rain.

The difficult conditions meant that racing was aggressive from the start.  After a flurry of attacks Corey was able to secure a spot in a large split that had managed to pull away from the grasp of the peleton.  The group was too large to sustain itself, and ultimately the race was decided.  Dylan McNicholas (CCB/Wheelworks), Ryan Kelly (NorEast), Justin Spinelli (Svelte Cycles), and a handful of others managed to get away, and began to work well together.  Soon, Corey and the rest of his group were returned to the field and the chase was on.  While the remaining big names sat in the field relatively dormant, small groups tried in vain to get away.  Andrew put himself in a position to bridge several times as did Peter and Brad.  Brad’s last move with 5 laps successfully stuck him in that gap along with several others.  The next big move occurred with 3 to go when Will Dugan (Team Type I) and Jeremy Powers (Jelly Belly) launched a fierce move on the climb.  Peter was able to stick on the back of it, as they began to ride through the splinter groups that remained off the front.  Eventually, on the penultimate time up the climb, the interminable pace was too much for Peter, and he was forced to fall back from the hammering professionals.  Will and Jeremy were able to ride all the way up to the lead group, but failed to secure the victory between the two of them.  Peter managed to stay out of the clutches of the peleton for a respectable 12^th, while Brad remained similarly safe for 17^th.  With Bear Mountain and Sunapee coming up the difficult passage at Sterling should be an excellent set up for a season of success.