....my front tire is sitting on the chalk line, and my eyes are riveted on the face of the flag man. He rolls up the flag, turns to look at us, and at once my world, my existence, is only this man. I'm electric in my total absorption of the flag man and there is nothing else -- the motorcycle and I are fused, an explosive device awaiting its trigger. I'm unconscious to all my senses except sight. Eye contact, sudden release....I regain consciousness about 50 feet from the starting line, now completely focused on the bike's performance...For the full...