The ‘El Luchador delivery device’

For the first time, the team tactics and their execution played a major role in the outcome of the race. We were 5 strong including the Neighbor, El Luchador, Ryan, and Andrew. At over 50 riders, the field was large. The only other team with a presence was BBC with large contingent of juniors and a few adult riders.

The course ran clockwise with a brisk headwind waiting for us in the final straight. The race was pretty quiet really with some attacks that were quickly reeled in. All the Hammer Velo boys had a go off the front at some point but nothing stuck. Soon we were into our final lap. I followed Ryan out of the finish straight taking the inside lane and close to the front. The Neighbor was nearby and El Luch. hovering thereabouts. With half a lap to go with some strong riding, Ryan found himself at the front of the pack directly ahead of the Neighbor, myself and El Luch in a paceline – HV was leading the charge like a big ugly hair sticking out of a mole. Ryan kept on going and passed the lone rider off the front. Then Neighbor took over and with a few words of encouragement really stepped on the gas. The pack, off El Luch’s left shoulder, was under a lot of pressure and no other riders could join us. As we rounded the final bend, the Neighbor pulled out of the way, gassed. I then took off, legs a pasty blur, and I think was in the lead for a short while. Exact details are lost in an oxygen-deprived fog. Then El Luch rounded me and took off with about 200ft to go only to be beaten on the line by another rider.

We had timed the ‘El Luchador delivery device’ to perfection and had got him in good shape to contest the finish. In my opinion, the Neighbor’s long, strong pull was the decisive one and took us a long way towards securing second place. I was beaten into 5th place by a BBC rider. Although delighted by such a high finish, my giddiness was tempered by the realization that the BBC rider was 12 years old! I had been ‘tweened’.

It was a good day on the track for us – everyone did their part. It was the best example of teamwork I have experienced so far with this team.