Bahati & Larson Kick Off 2008 USA CRITS Series and Speed Week With Wins

Rahsaan Bahati, one of the high-speed specialists of the high-profile Rock Racing team, launched himself out of a field of some of the fastest professional cyclists in the USA to win the 29th Athens Twilight Criterium in front of tens of thousands of spectators in Athens, Georgia, April 26.

Bahati, potentially outgunned from the start with a reduced squad of only two teammates, won the first installment of the 2008 USA CRITS Series by being the consummate tactician and conserving energy until the final moments of the race. With less than five laps to go, Bahati held a solid position in what remained of the top-shelf criterium specialists assembled for the one of the most celebrated events in this uniquely American form of cycling. Bahati's final move came from ten positions back during the final turn around the crowded streets of Athens .His closing sprint was so powerful that he was able to lift his arms and point to the sky in tribute to a lost friend as he crossed the line. But Bahati also gave thanks to the fans who poured enthusiastically onto the racecourse after his exciting win.

His finish line interview also earned him more cheers. "Athens, you guys rock! This is one of the best crits in the nation. I don't think that there's anywhere else in the nation where you can get this many people to come out and scream and yell for you just for going in circles while you're wearing tights," he said.

Bahati's teammate Peter Dawson kept the pressure off the 26-year old sprinter from Lynwood, California by working for the majority of the race in a three-man breakaway that included criterium strongmen Kyle Wamsley (Colavita/Sutter Homep/b Cooki) and Ben King (Kelly Benefit Strategies/Medifast). The trio of riders set a blistering average pace of 1:16 per lap over the 1-kilometer course. Their solid lead over the pack was chipped away by a combination of tough riders that included John Murphy (HealthNet p/b Maxxis), and Team Inferno Racing's Jeff Hopkins. Toshiba-Santo p/b Herbalife's rider and perennial race favorite Frank Travieso was thought to have fractured a rib during a crash, but was also relentless in his efforts to shut down what was certainly the evening's most promising move.

After the collapse of the breakaway, the threat of counterattacks was looming, but the speeds out on course were such that no single rider was able to initiate another substantial effort. With the clock counting down Sebastian Haedo (Colavita/Sutter Home) placed himself in range of victory coming out of the final two corners of the course, but he was helpless to match the speed of Bahati, who blew by the Argentine rider in the last 80 meters of racing. Despite his strength, Bahati realizes that his first major victory of the season was not easily won.

"There are about 15 guys here who want to win and can actually fight for the right wheels, but I was good at it today and fortunate not to crash. This is really special for Justin Williams, and Peter Dawson and I since we pretty much came here on our own with no support."

In the elite women's event that preceded the men's competition, a surprising breakaway involving five riders managed to escape the main field midway through the race.

Despite efforts by the teams not represented in that escape to bring the five back to the chasing group, the cooperation amongst the riders solidified their chances of survival. Local Athens resident and University of Georgia student Rebecca Larson relied on her Aaron's teammates behind her to control the race situation as best they could while she did her part to keep the motivation alive in the break.

"I had Catherine Cheatley of Cheerwine with me all night up there, and it was just working really well," said Larson after she out-sprinted her rivals in the finale.

Larson becomes the second Aaron's Women's Pro Cycling rider in two years to win the competition in Athens, which once again included major rivals such as Cheatley's teammate and winner of the overall 2007 USA CRITS Series, Laura VanGilder, and the current U.S. National Women's Criterium Champion Tina Pic of Colavita/Sutter Home.

The Athens Twilight Criterium was also the kick off event for the Speed Week Series that continues during the coming week at key race venues throughout the southeast. On Tuesday, April 29th the action moves to Beaufort, South Carolina

29-Apr-08

Beaufort Memorial Classic

Beaufort, SC

30-Apr-08

Walterboro Cycling Classic

Walterboro, SC

01-May-08

Uptown Greenwood Cycling Challenge

Greenwood, SC

02-May-08

Steadman Hawkins Cycling Classic

Spartanburg, SC

03-May-08

Historic Dilworth Criterium

Charlotte, NC

04-May-08.

Global BMW Sandy Springs Cycling Challenge

Sandy Springs, GA

About USA CRITS

USA CRITS National Criterium Series has been developed to feature a brand of cycling unique to the United States, the criterium. Criteriums are historically run on short laps through city streets. They offer spectators the opportunity to watch Olympians, world and national champions up-close as they ride at top speed. This has made the criterium format the most spectator-friendly form of cycling entertainment. Events on the USA CRITS series have the ideals that have made criterium racing an American legacy: Challenging courses that showcase arts and entertainment districts; a large and energized base of spectators; broad community support; and strong marketing opportunities for sponsors. For more information visit www.usacrits.com