Watching Keirin races in Japan, I didn't know the riders' backgrounds, talents, or even their moods of that day. So it was very difficult to make an educated bet on who would win, place, and show. Might as well go by which jersey color strikes you best. But at Blaine, it's a slightly different scene. And in this race, I knew one of the riders pretty well. He tends to cycle for the health of it these days, looking to hang out with other healthy types and enjoy the atmosphere. So when I found myself in the state finals, I knew it was something to savor.
The prelim went down to the line, with a bike throw punching my ticket to the finals. From then on, my luck kept getting better. As I read later, at least one competitor chose too small a gear for a keirin final, and another favorite drew the spot behind the motor. I drew third position, and felt very focused on the two riders in front of me, Tainter and Ferris. Tainter is known for sweeping back and forth, discouraging anyone from inching too close to his wheel. Ferris tends to change speeds to his advantage. I was staying far enough back to minimize the effects of their stunts, yet close enough to be there for the finish. Luckily, no one chose to try and box me in, since the pace stayed high. On the home straight, my gear felt perfect, and Ferris had found his extra gear as he pulled up and away. As I eked past Tainter, I measured the distance to Ferris, wondering what might have been. But second is just fine, especially now that I know who to bet on. Thanks, Tim!
