When I was running track in high school, we were doing a workout that was 10 200m sprints. One of my best friends Erik was running in the same group as I was. W

When I was running track in high school, we were doing a workout that was 10 200m sprints. One of my best friends Erik was running in the same group as I was. We were about the same speed. But during these 200's, he was just sitting back while I was going all out. On the ninth sprint, the coach said whoever wins the group doesn't have to do the 10th one. Erik said to me, "Dave, you can win this one" because he knew I was working hard and was tired. And he is also just a quality person. But when we were running that ninth 200, I was just completely spent. I was in slow motion. He had to run past me. I don't recall what we said when he passed me, but something along the lines of him apologizing and that he had to go, and I said it was ok. I had to run the 10th sprint even though coach knew very well had happened. I didn't have any hard feelings towards my friend. He wasn't trying to take advantage but I am sure he still felt bad. (Now, I may have had some hard feelings toward the coach...) This is quite a bit different stakes between high school track practice and a national championship cycling race. But I wonder if something similar happened. The author, being trashed from working so hard, may have been going pretty slow and this may have helped the eventual winner say "Forget this I'm just going to go". I'm not saying its OK, I just wonder if it was a factor.