SpringfieldNewsSun.com

Next time you're on a bicycle, wheel up next your buddy and just before take-off, throw an elbow.

That's what it's like at the starting line at the Springfield Center City Criterium bicycle race.

At least if you're in "the bubble."

"I always say that's where the carnage takes place," said Criterium rider Marco Aledia, of Worthington. "It starts about 20 guys back in that bubble. There's lots of bumping, elbowing — just carnage."

With so many riders trying to get out to the front of the pack as early as possible, making it off the line with little damage is a small victory in itself.

"At a race in Georgia, I was in a group of 50 and I slipped back just a little bit, and the guy behind me slipped right underneath," Aledia said. "I suffered a pretty bad concussion. I've also fractured my tailbone, but I haven't broken any arms or legs, thankfully."

Aledia wears the yellow jersey after winning the first of the six races in the Tour of Ohio on Monday in Wapakoneta. The series finale is Saturday at 7 p.m. in Springfield.

"I've never been to Springfield for the race, but I am big fan of the courses (designer) Tim Tyler sets up," said Aledia, a rider for 16 years. "I am looking forward to it because I've heard it's a nice track."

Aledia said most of the starting trouble is usually started by one rider "leaning" on another to bump for leverage, causing a domino effect of tumbling riders if it gets too physical.

That's usually when the bubble bursts. But there is some decorum.

"Kicking is out of line," Aledia said.

At least there are limits.

To ensure a spot in the front, some riders line up 15 to 20 minutes before a race. Most of the time, the well-known riders get first dibs on the top spots, leaving the rest to duke it out in the back.

"Sometimes it's better to waste a little bit of energy at the beginning of the race," said Aledia, who says he has just one ritual before he takes off: "I pray."

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0373

or by email at lsullivan@coxohio.com