Calling The Perfect Race

As the self proclaimed World's Greatest Bicycle Race Announcer, I had the honor to call the Perfect Bike Race at the Capitol Criterium, Minnesota State Criterium Championships last summer. The said event was the Masters 50 Plus. The strongest rider in the race that day was Silver Cycling's Dave Pramann. He had another strong rider helping him out in Dave Herbert. The only other team with strength that day was Grand Performance SPBRC. Among their strongest were Mark Kowaliw, Charlie Townsend (Pete's brother), Steve Hunter and Bob Mairs. The GP guys worked over Pramann and Herbert to perfection. I think the first one off the front was Kowaliw. He went on a flyer forcing Pramann and Herbert to chase it down. Once back in the pack, Hunter took off, forcing Pramann and Herbert to chase again. Back together again, Mairs had a go. Was this the decisive move? Pramann had to chase. Back together again, Townsend took over. This pattern kept repeating until Mairs went the second time. Pramann and Herbert were toast after chasing down the various GP boys. Mairs was the benefactor as he got out front for good and cruised in for the win and the State Championship. Most people don't understand bike racing tactics. That race was like a year's worth of classroom training...