Dropped...?

Having trained with Alex Boyd over the summer, Jacob had learned all about tactics dealing with crits and lapped riders. It was considering this that he set forth on a ballsy and selfless enterprise. Knowing that feisty Italian strongman Jonathan Caputon was chomping at the bits for victory, Jacob devised to get himself dropped so that he could help John to victory when he got lapped, if only briefly. It was a tricky business, because he had to get dropped, but he couldn’t get pulled either. This was slightly more complicated that shooting womp-rats in Beggars Canyon back home. Fortunately though, Jacob had coerced Paolo Bettini out of retirement to help him with his gutsy plan.


Jacob: So we’re clear on the details?
Paolo: Yes, it is a complicated and daring plan, Jacob. I admire it. I am happy to come out of retirement to help you and my cousin John to victory. Plus, it seems everyone is doing it, what’s one more?
Jacob: Yes. I’ve devised it so that we intially get dropped behind riders we can overtake.
Paolo: Ah, so we can work to their chase group, then attack it?
Jacob: Yes.
Paolo: Brilliant! Il Grillo rides again! Just my type of riding.

They worked up to groups and attacked them relentlessly, ensuring that nobody could work their way back to the leaders and Jacob’s teammates.

Paolo: Ah, Jacob this is great! Why did I ever leave cycling?
Jacob: It is a beautiful sport. My DS just told me that we should be caught on the 2nd to last lap.
Paolo: Brilliant!

Then, after a few more laps it was 2 to go, and Caputon came flying up behind them.


Jacob: Ah, right on time.
Caputon: Jacob! Paolo! Help me out!
Jacob: Sure thing. Paolo, you’re making dinner tonight, I told you he wouldn’t be late.
Paolo: Haha! A fine bet, you shall have your pasta.

Jacob then unleashed a massive pull into the headwind that was strong enough to draw in nearby birds, low-orbit sattelites, and even emit it’s own red-orange speed-lines.

John: Thanks for not wearing your see-through bibs Jacob! That’s exactly what I needed to secure victory and glory for our academic institution!
Jacob: Ride well, good John, ride well.
Paolo: Good luck, cousin.

And so John rode to victory and, their work being done, Paolo and Jacob pulled themselves next lap, so they wouldn’t get in the way of the finishers. Tactically brilliant, stoicly selfless, and looking forward to Paolo’s Rigatoni, Jacob called it a day and began preparing for the road race.

Stay tuned for the thrilling conclusion of the Texas State Road Race on Tales from the Peloton!