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