Racing against a world TT champion.

Ok so it was not Fabian Cancellara, but he can still pedal a bike. The he would be non other than Pat McCallion. After a brutally hard race on Saturday at Dson, I was hoping for a rather peaceful Sunday morning cruise at the BMW track. I do not know if it was the cold, 45 with a wind chill of something like minus 10 or the BMWs flying around the inside of the track but it took no more than one lap and several attacks, to find myself in a move with 4 guys. As we start gaining some time, I do a quick inventory of who is with me. Pat McCallion had won the masters 35+ race with a solo effort the day before. And to refer back to the title...a former World TT Champion. It did not take long to figure out who my main competition would be and was hoping another CTM team mate would come up to help. Well after about 5 laps, I realize the CTM boys were keeping anything from coming up to the break. As we continued to gain time on the field with Pat and myself doing the majority of pulling, my legs start to feel the effects of the day before. Soon after we drop one of our break companions. Now there is less rest between pulls and Pat seems to be gaining power...GREAT. A few more laps and away goes the other break companion. OK just me and Pat. We continue to trade pulls a few more laps and then I get a little gaped on one of Pat's pulls. Upon making it back to his wheel...I decide to set up camp as getting dropped at this point is not a option and I feel rather confident I can win a sprint. With about 3 laps to go the field starts to gain time back on us. As Kenny Rogers sang "you have to know when to hold um, now when to show um" I make the decision to help Pat with pulls so we stay away and not to sprint for the win. In essence I conceded 1st. I do not like finishing a race like this and swallowed a lot of pride but there will be more races and Pat, well on top of being a former world tt champ, he is a really nice guy. So we ride in together 1-2 and not far behind Rod comes flying through for 3rd by way of winning the field sprint. Jimmy T after being Rod's locomotive for over half lap hung on for 8th. Not a bad days work but have to say I think that will be my last concession of the year.