38TH JOE MARTIN STAGE RACE GOLF ROUNDUP

Rider finds way in biking world

FAYETTEVILLE -- Growing up in Iowa, Curtis Luckett played all the competitive sports available like football, baseball and especially wrestling. As an adult, he missed the competition those sports brought until he found competitive cycling.

"I was 22, 23 years old before I ever really got started in racing," he said. "I was looking for something to do to stay in shape, but most of the endurance sports don't really have that adrenaline rush of competition like the sports I played as a kid."

At A Glance

38th Joe Martin Stage Race

Today

Amateur USAC-only time trial

At Devil’s Den State Park

Master Men Group B;8 a.m.;2.5 miles

All others;TBA;2.5 miles

Road race

In Prairie Grove

Pro Women 1/2;11:15 a.m.;63 miles

Master Men Group B;11:30 a.m.;40 miles

Men 4;11:40 a.m.;40 miles

Men 5;11:45 a.m.;40 miles

Women 3/4;11:50 a.m.;40 miles

Master Women 40-plus;11:50 a.m.;40 miles

Pro Men 1;2:45 p.m.;109 miles

Men 1/2;2:55 p.m.;86 miles

Master Men A;3 p.m.;63 miles

Men 3;3:10 p.m.;63 miles

Sunday

Criterium

Downtown Fayetteville

Women 3/4;7:45 a.m.;25 minutes

Master Women 40/50;8:20 a.m.;25 minutes

Men Cat 4;8:55 a.m.;35 minutes

Master Men A;9:40 a.m.;45 minutes

Master Men B;10:30 a.m.;35 minutes

Men 3;11:15 a.m.;45 minutes

Pro Women 1/2;12:10 p.m.;50 minutes

Cruiser Parade;1:15 p.m.;Parade lap

Kid’s Ride (ages 3-12);1:15 p.m.

Pro Men 1;2 p.m.;85 minutes

Men 1/2;3:30 p.m.;50 minutes

Men 5;4:40 p.m.;25 minutes

For more detailed information, visit joemartinstagerace.…

Now 30 and living in Bethel Heights while he works on his doctorate in food science at the University of Arkansas, Luckett pushed his way uphill in the time trials Thursday, and the first road race stage Friday of the Joe Martin Stage Race. Luckett competes with other locals on the Fayetteville Wheelmen/Athletes Forward team.

"A lot of guys get into cycling because they were into riding for endurance and training first," Luckett said. "I got into it for the racing, and the training is not really my favorite part. I like to compete and race. There's teamwork and strategy and a lot of close competition. It's a lot of excitement."

While Luckett said he was disappointed with his personal finish in the time trials, he was eager to help out teammate Gerald Drummond, who was in the top 15 after Thursday's first stage.

"Gerald had a good ride and we're going to try to come up with a plan to protect him and try to get him in the top 10," Luckett said. "Hopefully we'll have a chance to make a run in the criterium on Sunday."

Luckett and the rest of the Fayetteville Wheelmen were competing in Category 1,2 which is one step below the pros, but the highest stage of amateur competition and very competitive.

"I train about 15 hours a week and we go about 40 races a year," Luckett said. "It's pretty tough to compete at this level and have a full-time job. You pretty much have to be able to take off a lot and get your work in."

Having the Joe Martin Stage Races so close to home is a double-edged sword for the Wheelmen.

"It's nice to have a race so close to home, but it can put a lot of pressure on us to do well, too," Luckett said. "There are some of the best riders in the country here and this course is a tough as any we go to all year. It's got a lot of hilly terrain and it's a tough test."

Sports on 04/25/2015

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