>>> 8.12.06 - Race 2 Replace - Indianapolis, IN

With Lance retiring the Discovery squad needed some new team members to shore up the talent pool. At least that's what we thought when we heard about the opportunity to make the team.

David Loignon coached me through my first race. It's a good thing David does not make a living as a coach. This was my first official cycling race. Normally a loaner, in 2006 I started participating more in group rides.

Douglas: When we began the rolling start, I wasn't sure what to expect, but I figured the pace would increase from the gun, since time was a big factor in who would eventually win. After going into turns one and two I looked down and saw that we were going 31 mph. I thought... DZAM! I tried to keep up with the lead group but their pace was stronger than I had experienced. I held on for one lap. On the second lap I was still doing 29 but thought... this ain't gonna last. Plus, I was alone into a headwind between the lead group and the second group. That's when I figured I'd take down the pace and sit comfortably in the second group. Once there I relaxed. We maintained about 25mph for the rest of the race, despite the nice headwind on the backstretch.

The highlight for me was the finish. On the last lap we were back up to about 30 and after we got on the front stretch I sprinted out of the group of about 18 at about 35 mph... nobody came around me and that was pretty cool.

Unfortunately because of the whole rules thing that the 'fastest' guy wins, Lance won't be able to benefit from my talents of winning meaningless, moral victory sprints.

Racing is fun. The experience of riding at the Brickyard was well worth it!

Click below for results:

Heat #2: 25-34 Yr Olds - Douglas O'Donnell (30th)
Heat #4: 35-49 Yr Olds - David Loignon (41st)