Miss-N-Out to offer 2nd pre-race competition

After taking the top place at the Individual Time Trials, Alpha Tau Omega rider Hans Arnesen and Kappa Kappa Gamma rider Jess Sapp head into Saturday's Miss-N-Out among the favorites to win the second Little 500 series event of the season.\nArnesen and Bella Veloce rider Abby Cooper both look to defend their title against a deep and strong field of riders.\nIn Miss-N-Out, eight or nine riders take the track and race. At the end of each lap, the rider in last position is dropped. The riders keep racing until one rider is left, so strategy and speed are important in this event. \nMiss-N-Out is one of the favorite events for the riders, Cutters rider Greg Buhay said.\n"It's fun, you get to do some strategy on the track and have a good time with your buddies," he said.\nBuhay and his fellow Cutters are among the favorites to take the title this weekend. Cutters Alex Bishop (second), David Caughlin (eigth) and Sasha Land (ninth) all placed in the top 10 during ITT's and will look to have another strong showing at Miss-N-Out.\nPhi Gamma Delta rider Joe Keck, Dodds House riders Kevin Moore and Daniel Houchens, Phi Kappa Psi rider Chas Pall and Briscoe rider Michael Carey join Arnesen and the Cutters as favorites.\nOn the women's side, Alpha Phi riders Katie Thompson and Trevy Ramos and Kappa Delta rider Lindsey Mank join Cooper and Sapp as the favorites.\nThe Little 500 spring series is comprised of the ITT's, Miss-n-Out and Team Pursuit. These events give teams the chance to compete before the race and allow the riders a break from practicing everyday. Points are awarded for each event and the team with the most points dons the white jersey on race day.\n"Series events are so much fun because we train six months for a one-day race and then its over," Sapp said. "They are such good baby steps leading up to the race. They help to get you mentally prepared and for the competition."\nMany teams use them as a gauge to see who the favorites are heading into the Little 500.\n"It's always a little competitive. I really like them -- we only get to ride Little 5 bikes one season in the spring, so it's a great way to compete on them as much as we can," Teter rider Sarah Rieke said. "I love how the series events are laid out. Usually the teams who do best are probably the best put together come race time."\nAs a last preparation for the Little 500, teams want to use these events to improve and sharpen their skills heading into the main race.\n"The goal is to get out there and do the best we can," Moore said. "There are always a lot of strong teams and strong riders and all you can really worry about is how you and your team do because you cannot worry about what everyone else is doing." \n--Senior writer Michael Sanserino contributed to this story.