Dont stop pedaling!

...Or you might end up like this.



Weeell. That was no problem for me tonight. I kept pedalling and pedalling and it sure paid off. Track racing is pretty intense the whole time and you always have to stay on your toes. This is especially true during a miss and out race. This track racing event works in such a way that the last rider is pulled out of the race each lap until 3 riders remain. So, the nerves, aggression and speed build and build into the climactic 3 up sprint. I had never done this event, let alone watched it, so I decided to get to the track early for a miss and out clinic with Larry Nolan. This was very informative and I am thankful for the coaching before racing the night's omnium that featured 2 miss and out Events.

I was excited to see my younger brother, Jon, also racing 3/4's as we both love going off the front and racing aggressively. Last year we did a few 4/5's races and frequently found ourselves off the front together. We would typically fare pretty well...At least we'd stay away long enough for some sweet photos.




Enough background story. Now on to the racing...

First race was a 10 lap scratch race. One sprint, all or nothing on the last lap. I was not paying attention and found myself a bit caught out in the final sprint and came up with 5th.

The next race was the win and out. Basically, you race 5 laps sprint for the win and if you win you are out of the race. 2nd place is decided on the next lap and 3rd through the rest after that. Thankfully, the pace ramped up really well into the final lap and I had a good lead out into the sprint. Of course, it wasn't really a sprint (or I probably would've lost) but more like a "who can hold this pace the longest contest". I could! Sweet, a win. The guy who won the scratch race got second behind me though so I had my work cut out for me if I wanted the omnium.

On to the tempo race. 10 laps with 1st and 2nd get 2 and 1 point(s) respectively every lap. Umm why is there so much math? It's hard enough when your heart rate is normal. Track racing forces you to stay sharp. It's hard to make all these calculations once your heart rate hits the 180's. At that point you just try to win every lap and then you know you're good.

Jeff Galland attacked about 3 laps in and I followed with Bubba Melcher right behind. We got a gap and kept it. We rotated through and did not contest each other and it looked like Jeff took most of the points. Before 2 to go Jeff hit it hard as Bubba was pulling off and that was it for the big dog. Jeff was fading after that so I took advantage and won the last 2 laps. Not sure how it ended up. Could be a win for me or a win for Jeff.

The first of the 2 miss and outs went well. I was sure to never be last wheel all the way to the finish where I won the sprint. It's pretty cool as you hear the number of the last placed rider getting called each lap until there are only 3 left. At this point the pace has picked up pretty good and the tension is high.

After that race I felt like I had done too many hard intervals. Beside that, I knew the last miss and out would be treated like the last stand by all the racers who needed to place for omnium points or redeem themselves. This was the case and a bit more fighting for position ensued. This race was also very fast with attacks starting from the whistle. Jeff and I went again but the pace was too high for us to stay away for long. I was able to stay away from elimination and it came to a 2 up sprint between me and the rider I was fighting for the overall in the omnium. He drilled the last lap and still had a little kick at the end which was enough to hold me off.

I'm not sure if I won the omnium but I know there's a good chance I did.

If you've never given track racing a shot you should. there's a lot happening at once and even if you don't race you should at least watch a few races.