They tell me that horrid picture will be replaced soon, though I'm not sure what will go in its place. It can't be much worse, can it?
I thought I'd get on tonight and just tool around a little bit. It's less than two weeks now until the race, and this hellishly short time frame between when the track opened and when the green flag will go has got us all a bit squeamish.
The other problem is that the inconsistent weather leaves the track feeling different almost every time it's ridden on, which makes it hard for new riders to get a good feel for what it will be like on race day.
However, what it will be like on race day could be anyone's guess as of right now. So far, weather.com has the 10-day forecast projecting rain for the first four days of Little Five week - that's Monday through Thursday. That's a scary thought for a few reasons:
1) It really helps to get that extra little bit of track time before the race, if for no other reason than to put your mind at ease. This is especially prevalent this year because of the lack of time everyone - rookies perhaps moreso than most - have had on the track due to poor weather.
2) Who knows what kinds of conditions four days of rain could leave the track in leading right up to the women's race that Friday.
3) Worry No. 2 assumes it stops raining.
It is fair to point out that all of this is pure speculation, and the only guarantee about that forecast is that it will change somehow. Whether that is for better or worse, no one can say. But I can tell you plenty of Little 500 riders are holding a collective breath and keeping fingers crossed for sunny skies (or at least warm, dry conditions) in the days leading up to the race.
One way or another, it should make for an interesting race day, to say the least. Hope to see you there - and dry.
