The two men pictured are the ones most favored to win the race.  The man in front was ranked second to the one behind him, and so he is trying very hard to keep his lead.  Along the sides of the course, hundreds and hundreds of fans shout cheers and praise to the riders at the lead of the pack.  The second rider in line is thinking only of how bad it will feel to lose to a man who he knows he can beat.  The man in the front can only think of pushing harder and harder until the race will soon be over.  Their competitiveness isn't with each other as much as with themselves.  Winning first place is what each wants, but only one of them will get it.  The man in the front will win because the man behind him is too worried to perform at his best.
