Cycling Champion (3 page)

“Don't get me wrong, winning is great,” Matt said. “But we play basketball and football and everything else because we love to play. Not because we want a trophy.”

“If you say so,” Austin said. “I'm going to go get cleaned up for dinner.”

I don't care what they say
, he thought as he headed upstairs to shower.
I'm going to win the race and the trophy. And then I'm finally going to prove I'm as good as my brothers.

Over the next few weeks, Austin spent every free minute he had training with Dylan and the River City Racers. The River City Criterium was getting closer and closer.

“A good criterium racer needs experience,” Coach Brady told the group at practice one morning. “Being fast and fit is only part of it. You need a good strategy, patience, pack positioning, and bike handling.”

Coach Brady had them practice riding in a pack over the course. That would help the riders get used to the pushing and jostling that would take place during the race.

Riding with all the other cyclists so close together, especially around the corners, was scary at first. Austin knew that riding in a pack could be dangerous. Concentration was important to make sure none of the riders rode into each other. If one cyclist went down, the whole group could go down.

But Austin knew he had to get used to the tough conditions if he wanted to win. As Coach Brady had explained, a criterium meant riding close together and bumping throughout the race. Riders had to learn to hold their lines and go with the pack, keeping the distance between riders equal even through the turns.

When they weren't practicing with the River City Racers, Austin and Dylan rode together to build up strength and work on their speed. Racing in a criterium required speed right from the start. The race was only a few miles long. If a rider fell behind, there often wasn't enough time to catch up.

With all their training, Austin knew he was getting faster. Still, there was so much to remember. Focus on your breathing so you don't get winded too soon. Bend lower over the handlebars so you'll be more aerodynamic. Remember to glide with the pedals — don't pump them so hard. You'll tire your muscles out way more than you need to.

He and Dylan were doing some practice laps one afternoon when Austin realized he was actually in the lead.

He was about to congratulate himself. But then suddenly, he heard the hum of Dylan's tires on the pavement right behind him. Before Austin knew what was happening, Dylan shot past him on the inside, hugging the corner tightly.

When they reached the end of the course, Dylan was waiting for him. Austin slumped on the seat, his lungs burning.

“How did you do that?” Austin asked. “I thought I had you back there! I was pedaling as hard as I could!”

“But you didn't have to,” Dylan explained. “It's not about being the strongest rider. It's about being the smartest.”

“What do you mean?” Austin asked. “The fastest rider is going to win the race, no matter what.”

“You have to be fast, but in a criterium, it's all about where and how you use your energy,” Dylan told him. “Knowing when to coast will help save your energy so you can use it when you really need it. You need to save something to make your break and sprint at the finish.”

Austin nodded. It was one more thing to remember, but it would help. With all this practice he was starting to feel like a real racer. He might have a shot at winning the trophy after all.

Austin woke up early the day of the River City Criterium. The morning dawned cool and clear. It was the perfect weather for a bike race.

Austin knew he was as ready as he could be for the race. When he thought back over the past month he'd spent training with Dylan and the rest of the cycling team, he couldn't believe how much he'd learned in such a short time.

Austin made sure to get down to the course early so he would have plenty of time to get registered. There was already a crowd gathered near the starting line when Austin arrived.

He signed in and moved off to the side to stretch. The criterium would get to full speed within the first lap, so he needed to be warmed up and ready to sprint right off the line. He'd have to get in position early.

Austin looked out over the roped-off course. He knew what he was in for. He felt used to the course after riding with the team.

Cyclists stood all around him checking over their bikes and making last-minute adjustments. Everyone was decked out in tight cycling gear and helmets. The riders all had numbers on their racing shirts.

Everyone seemed anxious for the race to start. Austin was busy checking and re-checking his racing bike from gears to tires. Everything had to be perfect.

Suddenly he felt someone nudge his shoulder. Austin turned around and saw his brothers standing there.

“Josh! Matt!” Austin exclaimed. “I thought you guys had basketball practice this morning!”

“We couldn't miss your first big race,” Matt said with a smile.

“You've seen all our games,” Josh added. “Besides, we've never been to a real cycling race before. This is really cool.”

“Thanks, guys,” Austin said. “I'm glad you'll be here to see me finally bring home a trophy.”

Matt and Josh glanced at each other. “Remember what we told you before,” Josh said. “It's great that you want to win, but have fun out there, too. That's more important than some trophy.”

“But if I don't have a trophy, I won't be as good as you guys,” Austin blurted out.

“It's not a competition,” Matt said. “It's about doing something you like.”

“Yeah,” Josh agreed. “Go out there and do your best. If you win, great, but if not, at least you know you tried your hardest and had fun doing it.”

“Good luck!” Matt said.

Austin was quiet as his brothers walked away.
Maybe they're right
, he thought.
Maybe the trophy doesn't matter as much as I thought
.

Across the crowd, Austin saw Dylan checking over his own bike. Even though they'd been training together for a month, Austin realized that Dylan had never said anything about needing to win the trophy. None of the River City Racers had. They all rode because it was fun.

A voice over the loudspeaker interrupted Austin's thoughts. “Attention, cyclists!” an announcer said. “The River City Criterium will be starting in five minutes. Please make your way to the starting line and get in position.”

Austin walked his bike over to the starting line and got in position next to Dylan.

“Good luck out there,” Dylan said. “See you at the finish line!”

“You too,” Austin said. “I'll be the one holding the trophy!”

Both boys crouched low over their handlebars. Then, with the sharp crack of the starting gun, they were off!

Instantly, the street was swarming with cyclists battling to get to the front of the pack. Austin got off the line quickly and fought his way to the front. He didn't want to get stuck in the middle of the group, jostling for position.

The River City Criterium was a three-mile race. Each lap of the race equaled one mile. It was a straight shot for the first couple blocks, and all the cyclists pedaled furiously, trying to hold their positions.

Going into the first turn, riders fought for position on the inside corner. Taking the inside corner meant the route was shorter. But Austin remembered what Dylan had told him.
Don't try to be faster
, Austin thought.
Be smarter.

Austin positioned his bike to the outside of the field of riders. It was easier to whip around the corners if you were on the outside of the pack. Riders on the inside of a turn had to brake more to make up for the riders on the outside coming closer around the turn.

As he went around the turn, Austin made sure to keep his inside pedal up and his weight firmly on the outside pedal. He knew his bike would lean to the inside going around the turn, and he didn't want the pedal to scrape the ground.

The pack of riders came out of the turn and headed into a straightaway. Austin straightened his bike and pedaled hard, powering the pedals with a smooth and easy motion. His leg muscles were nicely warmed up, and his breathing was strong and steady.

Austin tried to pace himself. He knew he couldn't exert too much energy too early. He had to save something for a sprint at the end. Out of the corner of his eye, Austin saw Dylan in the middle of the group, trying to fight his way free.

The second lap of the race flew by, and before Austin knew it they were heading into the third and final lap. Some of the riders were having trouble and starting to fall behind. Austin fought to stay near the front of the pack.

His leg muscles burned as he crouched down low over his handlebars and pedaled as hard as he could. He was grateful now for all the endurance training he'd been doing for the past few weeks. It was paying off.

Austin swung around the corner and headed into the final straightaway. He'd lost sight of Dylan in the tightly bunched group. The pack of riders was grouped so closely together that Austin could hear the others panting for breath. Everyone was pushing as hard as they could.

Austin dug down deep and gave it his all. He started to draw even with the leader. He could see the finish line looming up ahead.

I might actually win
, Austin thought.

Out of the corner of his eye, Austin saw a blur of movement. Then, at the last minute, Dylan sprinted past him and flew across the finish line.

A second later, Austin crossed the finish line in third place. He slowed his bike to a stop and then moved off of the course, out of the way of other cyclists, to catch up with Dylan. On the sidelines, Dylan was surrounded by other cyclists from the River City Racers. Everyone was celebrating.

“Where did you come from on that straightaway?” Austin asked. “How did you do that?”

“It's all about practice,” Dylan told him. “You can't expect to become an expert sprinter your first race out.”

“Yeah, I guess,” Austin said.

“You're not disappointed, are you?” Dylan asked. “You should be proud of yourself. A top-three finish in your first race is pretty impressive.”

“No, I'm not disappointed,” Austin said. It was true. “That was a blast! You have to show me how you came out of nowhere like that, though.”

“I'll give you some tips at practice next week,” Dylan promised. “You're still coming, right?”

“Definitely,” Austin said with a smile. “You still have a lot to teach me. Besides, there will be more races. I'm just getting started.”