Waffle House Super Powers?

March 11, 2010 17:03 by Steve Baker

Hincapie Development Rider Michael Stone brought us our first victory of the season this past weekend.  I thought it would be fun to get Michael's account of his first Pro,1,2 victory.  Here's what he had to say about Sunday. (Disclaimer: Michael's words, but Baker's images...ha ha.)

Coming into the day, I wasnt feeling too good.  I felt a liitle run down and tired for some reason. Before the race, Neil suggested Waffle house. "Jet fuel" I thought!

Michael had Waffle House Super Powers on Sunday...ha ha!

As I arrived at the race course, the weather got cloudy, cold..and windy.  Knowing this would change the race, I knew I had to stay near the front. At 1:00 everyone lined up (the most nervous part of the race for me).  The rules were announced and we were off.

Nothing really happeded for the first couple laps. Christian Parrett got away early and no one chased.His lead grew to over 3 mins, then the pace picked up with attacks and teams working at the front. Throughout the day moves went and a Hincapie Devo rider covered every one.  The team worked flawlesly. Amazingly, Christian's lead was gone in almost one lap!  Then the usaual counter attacks started going on the crosswind section, this is when Rich looked at me and said, "the feild is gonna split, we need to move up quick."  Rich was right, we ended up having to bridge a gap across the split field.

On the front side everything was back together and all the action stopped, until two laps to go. Coming up to the finish line, a move went, and no one chased.  Thinking this was the one, I bridged. Behind me Thad Dulin was quickly on his way too.  The break was 4 strong and quickly gaining time.  Everyone was working great. Rotation was perfect and coming up to one to go, the peleton was out of sight. I was confident the break would win.

We worked together to hold our gap until about 1.5 k to go. Let the games begin!  The four of us just looked at each other and waited for the first move. Geri Mewett of Hincapie/Gary Fisher made the first move, kinda leading us out.  I was sitting second wheel and waited to hear the sound of sprinting wheels behind me. Lanham opened up the sprint with about 300m to go. I jumped hard and gave it everything I had. He was starting to come back and I knew with about 50m to go that I had it. I came by and threw my hands up! the feeling of victory is unlike any other.  The team worked well together, and I am really looking forward to what the rest of the year holds.
 
Michael Stone