Neck and Neck

Going into tonight's 7th edition of the 2006 Boulder short track season I was in 2nd place in the overall standings, twelve points behind the leader, Rob Clark of Diamond Peaks out of Fort Collins.

I had a great start and was third wheel going into the hole shot. There were a lot of long straight sections in the course tonight that would provide an opportunity for drafting, so being out front was not the best place to be. I stayed third wheel for the entire first lap and tried to conserve energy as the pace was slower than normal.

Jon McClurg of Rocky Mounts got stuck out front for the first lap and started to fad into the next lap. The rider in second position made his move and passed Jon and I followed. The new leader proved to be too strong and created a gap that I couldn't fill. Eventually I was passed by two other riders and slipped down to fourth spot.

A quick glance over my shoulder and Rob Clark was hot on my tail. I dug deep, but with three laps to go he passed me. I jumped on his wheel and drafted as I was determined not to seed any more spots to him. Coming through with two laps to go, I decided I needed to try to take the fight to him. When we came into the long straight away I gave it everything I had and passed him. I gaped him and now had the number three guy in my sights. I pursued as hard as I could and kept getting closer, but couldn't muster enough energy to get on the wheel of the third place rider and finished in fourth place.

After the race I was chatting with Rob Clark and he said that after I passed him he blew and three or four other riders passed him before the finish. If true, that would put us neck and neck in the overall standings with next Wednesday's final race left to battle it out.

Good times as always.