Bax Prizes Victory at Grand Prix of Silver Spring

Bethesda Teenager Overcomes Crash

Nick Bax excitedly listed several of the prizes he earned en route to winning a race at the Grand Prix of Silver Spring cycling event on Sunday.

A new watch. A pair of racing glasses. Shoes.

But there was one the 16-year-old Bethesda resident seemed particularly proud of -- if only for shock value.

"I won a $100 gift certificate for a tattoo," Bax said of the prime (pronounced "preem"), which is awarded to the victor of specified laps during a race. "My mom won't let me redeem that one."

The St. Albans rising junior certainly left his own imprint on the second annual race featuring more than 200 competitors held in downtown Silver Spring on a steamy Father's Day. Bax overcame an early wreck to pull away from the field of older and more seasoned riders with 10 laps remaining, and he held on to win the Class C race -- the third highest of competitive cycling's five classifications.

Though the youngest cyclist in the field, Bax is hardly a newcomer to the sport. He races for Hot Tubes -- a prominent junior developmental team -- and already has several noteworthy victories on his r?sum?. In 2004, Bax won a junior nationals road race and, last year, placed first at the Maryland Category 3 Championship. He's won 15 junior state events and more than 20 other races.

Yet Bax, an honorable mention All-Met in cross-country last fall and a member of the St. Albans crew team, considers Sunday's victory among his proudest accomplishments. The winding kilometer-long course through the streets of Silver Spring was particularly challenging for Bax, who says his strength is climbing hills, not navigating technical courses.

"I did not come here planning to win," he said.

Then he had to overcome a nasty mid-race wreck that almost ended his day. Riding in a pack that took a turn too fast, Bax went head first into a lamp post. Despite being dazed and experiencing stinging pains on his face and legs, Bax decided that he was okay to continue. He rejoined the main pack with the help of a free lap -- a one-time courtesy extended to racers who crash.

After working his way back toward the front, officials rang the bell signifying a prime would be awarded to the lap winner. Bax didn't claim it but took off from the pack again when the bell sounded the following lap. This time he won the prize and, in the process, built about a five-second lead with fewer than 10 laps remaining.

Though still a bit woozy from the crash, Bax pushed on, although he planned to retire if the pack caught up to him.

It never did.

"I hadn't been planning on breaking away, especially since I was injured," Bax said. "I kept looking over my shoulder because I couldn't believe I was pulling away from these guys. I felt a little out of it -- I could've sworn I saw the eight-laps-to-go [sign] three times in a row.

"I was just so tired. But with four laps to go I felt like I could keep it up. Until that last lap, I was scared. But I started gaining more and more confidence. I kept visualizing my rivals next to me, which is what motivates me."

Also motivating Bax were the bell laps; he's not one to turn away free stuff. In all, Bax won six primes Sunday.

"Those were the best primes I've won all year," Bax said. "A lot of stuff I needed."

Except for the tattoo.