The Last Lap

[J Gallo]

T-minus 2 minutes:

Final staging is about to be called. I know my gate assignment. I know my competition. I listen to the moto’s ahead of me and visualize my snap. I can feel the adrenaline start to flow. Nervous, but confident, I stare straight ahead.

T-minus 1 minute:

My moto is all set. Everyone is in place and thinking about what is to come. Only 1 moto in front of me to go. I can feel the nerves a little more. I stare at the racers in front of me as they balance in the gate. One last opportunity to time the gate before it’s my turn.

T-minus 30 seconds:

I roll up to the gate, making sure my front tire is centered. This is what I’ve been waiting for. It’s all come down to this. It’s why I live. It’s why I breathe. I visualize for the last time, my gate, my line, my strategy. I can hear the announcer calling the race in front of me, but I’m not listening. Though other racers are on the gate with me, I can’t think about them. It’s only me and the track.

Ok, let’s set ‘em up:

The hearts beating faster. I can feel the pressure of each thump. My legs want to shake but I keep them still as I stand up on the pedals. My arms want to shake, but I keep them steady, with only small moves to help keep my balance. I slowly lean back…..

On the gate:

Concentrate. My eyes are locked on the top of the gate. I hear nothing but the voice. I know what’s coming next, I have to be ready….

Riders Ready:

Remember to breathe. Remember the moves, get out of the gate fast, get the timing right, wait for the words…..

Watch the Li……:

Thrust forward. Hard on the front leg. Push the gate down. SNAP!!!!

0 Seconds:

The gate is down and I’m already hard on the 2nd pedal. 3rd pedal. 4th pedal. 5th pedal. I can see the 1st obstacle coming up fast. KEEP PEDALING! Get in one more pedal than everyone else.

3 seconds:

Lean back. Lift up. Up again. Lift up again and push those pedals around as I come over the top. Stay centered. I realize I haven’t even taken a breath yet, exhale as I come down the back side. Another quick pedal and I’m over the roller facing the big double. My brain says pedal but my body won’t respond. My legs are stuck and I come up to the face. I roll up as 3 riders come by, overtaking me. 2 jump, 1 manual’s as I roll onto the top and get back on the pedals. I push down the back side and look left into the turn.

8 seconds:

CRASH! The front 2 riders slide out and go down! The 3rd place rider stays high, and bunny hops a downed riders bike. I have no choice, stay low and hold on tight before I slide out too.

10 seconds:

I’m out of the turn in 2nd. My heart is thumping harder than ever. I can’t feel my legs, but they keep moving and turning over the pedals. For a split second I feel nothing under me as I jump the step up. A momentary split second of rest as I touch down and pump the backside. HAVE TO KEEP THE LEGS MOVING! PEDAL! PEDAL! I can’t. 3 doubles ahead and I roll and pump each one, while the rider ahead pulls away with each pedal of his own. I can see my target ahead of me, I’m so close, just 2 bike lengths.

23 seconds:

The rider in front dives low into the 2nd turn. I know he’ll come out high. I move to my left and stay high. My legs finally kick into gear and move, and I turn right and dive straight for the bottom of the turn. I can feel the quick burst of speed and look up to see I’ve gained a bike length on my opponent. GET CENTERED NOW! HERE COMES THE RHYTHM SEC….

25 Seconds:

Push.

Down.

Up.

Push.

Harder.

Still.

35 seconds:

My legs are on FIRE! The pain is intense. I want to pedal, they won’t move. Into the last turn, I’m now on the leader’s back tire. FIND A WAY TO PEDAL! RIGHT. LEFT. I dive into the last turn, begging my body for one last burst of speed to get me down the last straight. Up, over the step up, get those legs moving! I sneak in a pedal down the backside and I’m up on the double, pumping each peak to pick up speed. I’m running out of track. It’s now or never. The table top gives me my last good chance to get in a few more pedals. My legs are burning but I don’t care. I only see the finish line now. The pain of losing will be far worse then the temporary pain of burning muscles. We’re even as we roll up over the last double. I push hard one last time, I hope my legs are moving but I don’t dare look as the finish line comes up. I squeeze the last bit of energy and power I have as I cross the finish line…….

45 seconds:

First.