David

Monosodium glutamate.

Mike Friedman. Ian knew who the favorites at this race were, and this Mike Friedman wasn't one of them.

Mike Friedman. Ian knew who the favorites at this race were, and this Mike Friedman wasn't one of them.

Ian was worried now. If he kept the lead, blocking all the wind for Mike, he was going to get tired. Mike might burst ahead. So Ian was like, let him get in front for a bit.

Ian was worried now. If he kept the lead, blocking all the wind for Mike, he was going to get tired. Mike might burst ahead. So Ian was like, let him get in front for a bit.

Now, in cycling, this type of gentleman's agreement happens all the time. Competitors will temporarily agree to a truce so they can conserve energy and stay ahead of the pack. It's a strategy. Sometimes this happens at the end, which could end up deciding who wins. Like, hey, there's two of us here at the top. I won't sprint on you if you take on the win resistance for me.

Now, in cycling, this type of gentleman's agreement happens all the time. Competitors will temporarily agree to a truce so they can conserve energy and stay ahead of the pack. It's a strategy. Sometimes this happens at the end, which could end up deciding who wins. Like, hey, there's two of us here at the top. I won't sprint on you if you take on the win resistance for me.

We can beat everyone else. Ian went for it.

We can beat everyone else. Ian went for it.

Mike won.

Mike won.

First Place takes home a jersey with stars and stripes, like Captain America.

First Place takes home a jersey with stars and stripes, like Captain America.

Ian was not having it. He immediately told the reporter what happened. He was like, Mike cheated. He cheated.

Ian was not having it. He immediately told the reporter what happened. He was like, Mike cheated. He cheated.

As if to say, hey man, you're doing well. If you keep it up, you might even win this thing. I said you could win, not that I'd let you win. And so, life goes on. Ian races professionally for a bit, but gets injured and becomes a journalist. Of course, he covers cycling. Mike becomes an Olympian. The whole time, they're sort of circling each other's orbits, but avoiding crossing paths.

As if to say, hey man, you're doing well. If you keep it up, you might even win this thing. I said you could win, not that I'd let you win. And so, life goes on. Ian races professionally for a bit, but gets injured and becomes a journalist. Of course, he covers cycling. Mike becomes an Olympian. The whole time, they're sort of circling each other's orbits, but avoiding crossing paths.

And annoyingly, everyone in the racing world really likes Mike.

And annoyingly, everyone in the racing world really likes Mike.

It's like saying you hate Mr. Rogers, right? Yeah, yeah. So as time passes, this race stays. like a thorn in Ian's side.