Finally broke 5 w/kg (318w) and hit a new 1 minute pr by 16 watts (493w). Going into the first hill I had a perfect wheel behind the course KOM holder and I just held as long as I could; fell back a bit and rode with another fast climber and cracked about 8 minutes in. I would have done better had I not taken off at the start like that but I'm in this spot where I'm too fast for the second group, too slow for the leaders. So I just have to keep pushing until I can hold their wheel, maybe be a bit selfish and not take any pulls...
Definitely a good sign, that is if SoCal ever gets another road race with elevation...