Momentum was building, because there were only a couple more days of races left, and the Americans took the gold two times already. Italy’s Cucco had won one. Three down and three more to go. The elite cyclists weren’t done yet. They all came for their country’s pride and honor and to cycle in the quest for the coveted Gold Medal.

While the American Paul Wood won the first event, Cucco of Italy snatched the 2nd racing event. Schreiber of USA took the 3rd race, the 35 km Individual Time Trial, and made history.

The 40 km Sprint is basically a 120 lap race where Cyclists earn points every 5th lap by sprinting. If you compute every fifth lap for a 120 lap race, the rider who has the most points will win and earn the Gold.

Now the scenario is tight pack of cyclists going as fast as 30 mph around the Velodrome. One fall could cause the dreaded domino effect, causing everybody else to swerve, hit one another, or fall.

Schreiber had a formidable foe in an Aussie Cyclist, Jarrod Denman, who jostled with him in overtaking leads. Schreiber at times would be in front of Denman, and then Denman would cut in front of Schreiber. It turned into a classic race. It came down to an inside move where Schreiber sprinted and broke away with a dramatic win for his 2nd consecutive Gold in as many days.

Denman came in a close second, breathing on Schreiber’s neck, almost creating a fog sensation. He had cycled resourcefully conserving his energy for recovery before he felt a power surge to break cleanly, to grab the silver. They both won the sprints but Schreiber’s powerful legs gave him the added boost in the final sprint.

Russian Kirill Pestov earned the bronze with valor, despite soreness in the pelvis area. “I ignored it until the race ended, willing in my mind to overcome my discomfort.”

The 40 km winner’s father Jay Schreiber who was in the stands was beginning to get a little worried himself. His fear soon turned into jubilant euphoria at seeing his own flesh and blood snatch another Gold Medal.

“It was very exciting for me and my heart was beating rapidly,” says the elder Schreiber, “I am very proud of Nick for sticking with cycling with all of his devotion, which made winning the Gold possible. The cycling community in Tucson (AZ), his friends and family are all proud of him too.”

“When I saw my wife at the Velodrome it gave me the extra push,” said a victorious Schreiber.

Schreiber concedes, “I think God was with me tonight.”

Click here for 2006 WDCC Results

Related posts:

1. USA’s Schreiber makes history at 35 km Individual Time Trial
2. The 75-Mile Grueling Pescadero 120 km Race
3. Cyclists Geared up For WDCC
4. Paul Wood Victorious in WDCC’s 1000-meter Sprint
5. 2006 WDCC Final Results
6. Italy’s Cucco takes 1st place honors in Short Track Mountain Bike Race
7. Heat Unbearable at Mountain Biking Course
8. Q and A with Motocross Pro Ashley Fiolek