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NAS-Track Racing: Madison Bike Races
104: Race Four
Saturday, 7/24 By: Tim Rimer (7/23/04) Team Neon pulled out a dramatic 2-point win Friday after Team Pink's
Ronnie Sink was injured, opening up the competition after three races
dominated by Sink's team.
The collision occurred during the first control laps of the 100 Lap Madison
when a rider lost control on one of the banked turns. His bike slid down
the 44 degree banking and into Sink of Rochester and Team Blue's Dave
Teall, taking both riders out for the remainder of the race.
The race was stopped for a few agonizing minutes as Sink lay on the ground
bleeding from his forehead and nose. However, it was soon clear that the
rider was shaken but not seriously injured, and the race continued as
Sink waved to the crowd while being carried to an ambulance.
Sink's teammate, Andre Champoux of Garden City, was paired with the other
half of Team Blue, Pio Apostoli of Toledo, for the last two races.
Team Pink won the first three races of the evening and set a challenging
pace for the other riders in the 50 Lap Madison. The team was still a
top contender with Apostoli riding as Sink's replacement, but could not
hold onto the lead against Team Neon's Dave Koesel and Luke Cavendar.
Koesel, Livonia, and Cavendar, Troy, set a blistering pace in the final
five laps of the 100 Lap Madison, leading the second place Team Purple
by a quarter lap. Neon's first place finish gave them just enough points
to come in first overall for the evening.
The point spread was close, and first place was within reach for any
of the top six teams in the final stretch of the 100 Lap Madison. With
only one more week before what is bound to be a close championship race,
the competition will be getting even more intense.
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