In bike racing, there is generally no point in making a break until/unless you think you can make it stick. Each of the two leaders may simply be holding back some cards until the right time. Did they start with a goal of besting the current record or winning the current race? These different goals would result in different racing strategies. Personally, I think I'll wait until Antelope Wells to make my own conclusions. If the riders cross the line hand-in-hand, that is one thing. If one racer beats the other, even by the width of a tire, that is something else.

However, by reading the posts here, it seems that while those who follow and/or participate in this race are excited by riders putting in fast times, they are inspired by the journey made by all. Otherwise, why would posts of pictures of individual riders chugging along with a smile (nary a competitor in sight) result in so many grateful replies?