Our First Green Bank sponsored cyclist, Steven Perezluha, won the Florida State Cat 3 Time Trial Championship on October 8th – his first major competition since the Race Across America in July. “Cat 3” is short for Category 3, and it is a very competitive division, so this is another quite remarkable and respectable achievement for Steven, and brings him another step closer to his ultimate goal of being a professional cyclist and racing the Tour de France.
“1st Place in the Cat 3 State Time Trial. This after doubting myself and 2 weeks out from my painful crash on the pavement while training. I was a little hesitant but then I thought, “hey this is your thing, just go out there and leave no regrets, be confident -- you got this, there's no one on your wheel, just look straight ahead, don't look back.” 53:13 and 28.0 average for the 40 KM. Congrats to 2nd place Jack Gonzalez.” –Steven Perezluha
To view professional photos of Steven riding in this race please visit the following website: http://www.martinmccroryphotography.com/Events/2011-10-08-Florida-State-TT/19419821_g4rLkg#1518913636_M2mGhV7-A-LB.
Steven also won another Cat 3 road race in Brooksville, Florida on October 16, 2011.
“Felt strong today in the 68 mile Brooksville Road Race, won the Cat 3 and 4th overall (Cat 1-2-3). 68 miles and little hills are right up my alley for a decent race. I was the only Cat 3 competitor in the 10+ man break that lasted until the last lap where it split apart. Congrats to Pedro Medina on the overall victory who got ahead of what dwindled down to a 6-man break with some 5<miles to go. I attacked the 2 guys I was with and soloed to the finish. Learning more each race! Every Cat 1-2-3 race I have been in the break has succeeded. I hate getting stuck in the pack, the tempo is much more consistent in the break. Note to self: don't float ahead on the little hills and when ready to lay the GaGa down, go full throttle! When I'm hammering it after a break away, solo, or just a time trial I really do not think much about who's behind me, it’s almost like 90% a song or beat running through my mind and 10% about the other guys. If you have the competition on your mind too much you may lose sight of dominating the road ahead. "Laying the GaGa down" means going all out and spilling my guts out through a hard effort or attack, leaving nothing behind.” –Steven Perezluha
Steven also won the Cat 3 Florida State road race on Saturday, October 29, 2011 near Sugarloaf Mountain.
“Won the Cat 3 State Road Race Today. Had to be very patient and had some unfinished business to unleash after getting 2nd in the 19-23 age group, and 6th in the combined 19-34 group. In that race, I attacked 3-4 times and on the 4th time soloed it to the final road and got caught. After getting 8th place last year in the Cat 4 state road race by making the same mistake, I was out today to unleash my attack at the right time. I waited to the last lap, and right after the demolished break away got caught I attacked on Bruce Hunt Road, the place where everyone seemed to by falling apart into a headwind and uphill. I attacked hard and soloed it 6.5 miles to the finish winning by 1 minute and 15 seconds. Not to get caught this time...” –Steven Perezluha
