David is currently 3 wins in the last 3 starts. The latest “W” coming last night in the Ring of Fire criterium series in Asheville, NC. Raced on Asheville’s “Mellow-drome” the race consists of a 60 lap race contested in a points race format. Sprints are every 5 laps for points, the winner is the rider with the most points at the end. The mellodrome is fun, an old motor-speedway that is now marked like a velodrome and consists of a 500 semi-oval with 3-4 degree banked turns. It is flat out fast!
My duty for the race was to keep things together to ensure a group sprint each time and to lead out David for the sprints. Our plan worked well. I was able to control the breaks effectively and had some left over for the leadouts. The best effort we had was for the final sprint - worth double points. For the laps leading up to the sprint, David was on my wheel as we slowly worked out way up in the group. We timed it about perfectly, ending up near the front with one lap to go. I hadn’t expended much energy getting us there, so I was able to unleash a big effort for the leadout. When we heard the bell, I ramped it up on the front of the group with David in tow. I accelerated smoothly but kept ramping it up. I maxed out around 38mph, just in time for David to slingshot around for the win. The speed robbed everyone else the chance of even moving up.
So, finally we’re getting this leadout thing dialed. Now we need to do it in some big races.
Josh
