One Lap

As the paceline groups enters turn 3, riding at or slightly above the blue line on the velodrome track, the rider at the front shoulder checks over their right shoulder, flicks their elbow, and pulls off the front of the group by climbing higher (to the right) on the steep banking, which is steeper in the turns, while the rest of the group continues.

We're going at over 30 mph.

Riding in second position, I have been expecting this. The lead rider typically pulls for one lap of the 250 meter track, starting their pull at turn 3 when the previous rider pulls off, and ending their pull by pulling off one lap later, in the same turn.

I have been preparing for my one lap pull for several laps:
While carefully following the lead rider closely to stay in their draft I have tried to relax and take large deep breaths of air.
I have checked cadence by counting up to 8 each time my right pedal is down. Cadence and speed are directly linked on a fixed gear bike, and I want to start my one lap pull at the same speed/cadence as I had before the rider in front of me pulled off, and hold that steady speed/cadence or increase it a bit, smoothly, while taking my pull.
The last time I pulled off the front and slid back into the paceline at the back of the group, I noted who was on the front and based on who it was, decided if the group would be accelerating, slowing, or going the same speed. I regulated my effort and speed to prepare for these expected changes in the group's speed. I counted how many riders were left in the group and noted that the group was smaller than the last time I pulled in at the back.

Now that I am the lead rider I immediately increase the force I am placing on my pedals, as I am facing greater wind resistance now that I am not riding in the draft of another rider or riders.

I do a quick cadence 8 count to check that I am at the same speed/cadence or slightly higher.
I try to relax my hands arms and shoulders and wiggle my fingers to ensure I am not gripping the drops of the handlebars too hard. I try to take deep even breaths.
With no wheel in front of me I am able around more and as we exit turn 4 I look over my left shoulder to see where other riders and pacelines are on the track.
I do another cadence 8 count to check I am still going the same speed or slightly faster than I was.

We are over twenty minutes into this paceline. I have been working hard for much of it, and the average pace of the group has increased as riders warm up and go faster when on the front. My HR is high and I am breathing hard. I am desperately thirsty.
Each rider pulls as hard and fast as they want or can. The group has had slightly faster laps with strong riders on the front, and gone slightly slower, and even bunched up slightly, with slower riders on the front. Each time a rider pulls off the front I regulate my speed based on what pace I expect the next rider to go at.
The paceline group has gotten smaller as some riders drop off to get off the track for water and a break. Other riders are unable to hold the pace and drop off after their pull, are unable to accelerate enough to catch on at the back after their pull, or are simply gapped from the shrinking group.

My effort is quite a bit higher now that I am on the front and not drafting;; drafting can save 30% or more of the effort the lead rider is making, when at speed. The effort is taking its toll, my breathing and heart rate are increasing, and I feel the increased effort in my legs. I have to keep going hard.

I try to ride steady and straight just above the blue line after we exit the turn and we are on the straight, riding past the Drop In session facilitator who watches all riders on the track.

As we enter turns 1 and 2 I put more pressure on the inside (left) of the handlebar to get the bike to start the turn, and try to ride a consistent distance of just a few inches above the blue line.

The exception is when the group is catching and passing another rider or paceline group, also riding at the blue line. If that is happening the lead rider shoulder checks and leads the group higher up the banking, further away from the blue line, so the entire group can pass safely. Higher up on the banking increases distance, so most paceline leaders will accelerate so that their group continues to go around the track quicker than the group being passed, which is now riding a shorter distance on each lap.

After I exit turn 2 we are on the straight. I see turn 3 where I will pull off coming up. I don't want to slow down at the end of my pull, so pedal even harder for the last bit.

I do an initial shoulder check over my right shoulder on the straight and confirm no one is trying to pass me. As I enter turn 3 I do a second shoulder check to confirm, flick my elbow, and ride straight instead of turning the bike to follow the blue line.

My bike is immediately climbing up the steep banking and slowing down.
I glance over my left shoulder to check on the next rider now leading the group, and the riders following him. I quickly note where the back of the group is and notice that we are down another rider.
I continue to ride high on the banking, and slower than the group, as the group slides by to my left. I check there are no other riders riding into the space I want to be in.
As the last rider in line slides by, I dive down the banking, back to the line the group is on, trying to accelerate to the same speed as the group and end up just behind the back rider, not overlapping wheels but close enough to be in their draft.
As I line up on his back wheel I make the final adjustments in speed by pedaling harder or soft pedaling, to match their speed.

About twenty three seconds have passed since the previous rider pulled off. My one lap pull was 18 seconds, and it took about 5 seconds to pull off and dive back in at the back. The effort drains me, and I barely make it on at the back, and try to recover in the draft, before my next turn at the front.