Fabulous Finishes

So today is our order deadline. In the cycling metaphors in which I am wont to speak, it's the bell lap. If you're getting yourself a Wheelhouse, a Wheelhouse Max Perkins, or some FSW or RFSW wheels, today is your last chance.

We've been working towards this finish line for months now, and the bell lap cycling metaphor is entirely appropriate since the intensity in which we've attacked Year 1 is not unlike the same way we ride a really hard crit. There were countless hours of training before the whistle blew, followed by a mad scramble to stage, and then a huge effort to accelerate and maintain position for the early laps. We thought things would settle down after the early laps, but the pace stayed hot - so hot that we started to wonder if we weren't in the wrong category. The intensity simply never wavered - at least, not until the last couple of weeks, when the speed lifted further. We dug deep and matched it, and here we are sitting 4th wheel going into the bell lap. Regardless of how we finish, it's gratifying to know that we're right in the hunt at the red kite, and can already start thinking about how we're going to win the next one. That's what's great about racing - even while you're competing, you're training for next time around.

But what we're doing only a metaphor. Real racing is more fun to watch. Here's some of my favorite fabulous finishes from the past few years:

Eric Barlevav crashing as he wins the 2008 Harlem Skycraper Criterium:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0Nwsd6a_2s&fs=1&hl=en_US]

Philippe Gilbert just walks away from the 2010 Amstel Gold field:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vH8YHKGnp0g&fs=1&hl=en_US] 

Fabian Cancellara teaches the sprinters a lesson in Stage 3 of the 2007 Tour de France:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJNLMYpr2TM&fs=1&hl=en_US]

Cadel Evans times the 2010 Fleche Wallone finish exactly right:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujUbOPDou4g&fs=1&hl=en_US]