TWO RHYMING RIDDLES

1)
I am the judge of both bitter defeat
And who may lay claim to victory sweet;
No matter what effort you may expend,
Without me you'll never reach the end.
Without me you have no way  of knowing,
Whether to stop - or just keep going.

2)
My first is always second in line,
My second always third in another;
My third is also second, 
But only when in line with his brothers.

Answers:

1. Finish line of a race 

2.  ICE

 I is the second letter in the word LINE.
C is the third letter of the alphabet.
E is the second of the five vowels.