MANTIA STRIKES AGAIN -GOLD -20K ELIM

What can I say... a perfectly orchestrated "team race". Joey Mantia and Josh Wood skated great together. I don't know who's race it was to win, but Mantia led the majority of the 50 laps at 400 meters each. It appeared to me that Josh, who sat in behind Joey, was there blocking for Joey and keeping the other teams behind them. I know Joey... and he LOVES to lead.

When Joey stepped out to move up, Josh was on his backside like glue... at one point I thought that Joey might be skating for Josh... until Wood took a couple of "bumps and grinds" and then gave them "back", resulting in 2 warnings throughout the 44 laps that Josh remained. The first warning came on lap 48. Wood who was the last elimination, led Joey out hard with 3 to go and it panicked the rest of the pack causing them to jump on. Wood got passed right on the line, which is exactly where it counts!

Joey was incredible the last two laps. Again it was obvious to me that Joey was rested (I still don't know how he does it when he leads so much) and he was pumped. He KNEW that it was his. He stood up at least 25-30 feet before the finish line with his hands in the air. What a super race to watch and video tape!! It was wonderful to see Joey include Josh in his victory lap.

The 500's are coming up soon. Stay tuned.

1st USA Joey Mantia - 28 minutes 50.48 seconds
2nd COL Nelson Garzon
3rd ITA Fabio Francolini