MOUNTAIN KHAKIS - Built For The Mountain Life Blog

Team Mountain Khakis: Delaware, High Point and Somerville

A roller coaster couple of weeks for the team with some dramatic highs and some equally disappointing lows.

Wilmington Grand Prix
May 20-22, Wilmington, DE

For the fourth straight year, the Grand Prix has been named to USA Cycling’s prestigious National Racing Calendar (NRC) and the entire team was set to compete. Before we even got on the road both Adam and Jerome opted to not make the trip because they were sick and nursing fevers. This was the first indication this was going to be a tough weekend.

 

The action opened with the Monkey Hill Time Trial, a 3.2-mile race through Wilmington’s Brandywine Park. The Time Trail is not part of the NRC omnium, but the team was excited to put their Ridley Cheetah Time trial bikes to the test. The TT went from being a real test of strength and a chance to showcase the team’s new bikes to a real test of staying upright. The course is really technical with rough pavement and a large cobbled climb at the end. In the pre-race review we talked about the prologue of the 1989 Tour De Trump which used the same course and became an ice rink as the rain came in. In an eerily similar fashion almost on cue the rain came once again. The cobbles instantly turned slick and forced many riders to crash, while others just slowed down.

Sometimes discretion is the better part of valor and the main goal for the day became to stay safe and open up for tomorrow’s NRC race. I am happy to say that all TMK riders stayed upright.

Results: Luke in 22nd, Travis 30th, Ben 31st, and Neil 42nd.

The action continued on Saturday with the men’s criterium along a one-mile course in Downtown Wilmington as the team added the newest addition to TMK’s roster, a nasty stomach bug. Within the opening laps of Saturday’s Bank of America criterium, it was clear that not only Adam and Jerome had been affected by the previous weeks’ travel, full racing schedule, and exposure to germs and bad weather. While team veteran Jon Hamblen rode defensively at the front of the race, hoping to allow younger riders to save their energy and race for their own results, the remaining TMK riders didn’t have the legs or immune systems to match Jon’s efforts.

One of TMK’s strengths is the versatility of its riders and flexibility to adjust roles and tactics as conditions dictate. Late in Saturday’s race, Luke, usually the team’s go-to field-sprinter, signaled that he wouldn’t contest the finale and worked to position Ben and Neil for the finish. Hoping to salvage a result from an otherwise passive race, Neil held position near front the of the pack in the final laps but flatted out with a flat tire just after free laps expired.

Sunday’s 111-mile road race unfolded similarly, as Jon rode selflessly to look after Travis, Ben, and Luke while the field occasionally broke apart on the flat, wind-torn course. Unfortunately Travis, Neil, and Thomas were now all sidelined with the same fever and bug. Luke and Ben stayed in the mix all the way to the finish, with Luke finishing in the top 15 on the day and ultimately 24th in the omnium.

Weekends like these are useful episodes in the life of a young cyclist. With riders suffering from various degrees of illness, team members look after each other on and off the bike and adjust roles accordingly. It was reported that the fastest thing they did all weekend was run to the store for Imodium AD. Fortunately the guys were able to head home for a rest week.

New Bicycling.Com post from Neil
Another Bicycling.com blog post from TMK rider Neil Bezdek, this time on How to Race in the Rain. Thanks to Maxxis Tires and TRP Brakes for keeping us safe and fast this season!

http://bicycling.com/blogs/ramblingman/2011/05/23/how-to-race-in-the-rain/

Team Mountain Khakis storms the High Point City Criteriums
Team Mountain Khakis riders started their Memorial Day weekend close to home at the High Point City Criteriums in High Point, NC on Friday and Saturday evenings. Held under a modern, glass-covered bus depot, and complete with live music, a beer garden, and stadium-seating, these races drew an enthusiastic crowd to what promises to become on the regions’ next big race. For TMK, it served as a great tune-up before the team convenes in NJ for Monday’s Tour of Somerville.

Friday’s event started on wet roads, but the rain held off as riders flew around the technical, 6-corner course. It was clear from the start that the wind and technical course would suit a breakaway, and Neil and 2 riders soon escaped the main field. The break swelled to 8 as other riders, including Ben and Pat, bridged up to the move. The break endured multiple hard accelerations in the final laps, but Pat’s attack on the final lap of the race appeared to be the nail in the coffin. Unfortunately, Pat was caught on the long, uphill sprint to finish. As one of the team’s directors, Pat was hoping to set up Ben and Neil for the win, but still held on for 2nd place. Ben and Neil finished 4th and 6th, respectively.

On Saturday, TMK was eager to improve on the previous night’s finish and came out with guns blazing. Despite constant accelerations at the front of the field, the group stayed together as the altered course held the race together. In the final laps, the team assembled at the front of the race to set up for a sprint finish. With 6 capable riders at the front, Jon, Pat, and Travis delivered 3 riders, Ben, Thomas, and Neil, to sprint with fresh legs. The result: a podium sweep! KAPOW!

One of the most unique venues ever. Under the glass cover of the bus depot.

Another podium sweep, by Thomas, Ben, and Neil.

Luke wins Bound Brook Criterium
While the majority of the team was putting on a stellar performance at the High Point Criteriums, Luke, Jerome, and Adam were putting on a similar performance in New Jersey. The Bound Brook Criterium usually serves as final preparation for the Tour of Somerville on Monday and draws a big and highly competitive field. The guys missed the key breakaway of the day but Adam and Jerome led a long and impressive chase that saw the gap to the breakaway slowly reduced. When the breakaway realized they were not gaining any time their impetus faltered and their fate was sealed. Adam and Jerome timed their capture of the breakaway perfectly to set up Luke for the sprint which he won in decisive manner.

2011 Bound Brook Criterium
5/29 Bound Brook, NJ

1. KEOUGH, Luke — Team Mountain Khakis p/b SmartStop
2. VIDAL, Euris Rafael — Foundation/CRCA
3. YOUNG, Eric — UCI CT: BISSELL Pro Cycling
4. POLLYDORL, Godfrey — Flying Ace Club
5. MERAN, Rafael — Foundation/CRCA
6. MANNION, Gavin — Trek-Livestrong
7. JASKIEWICZ, Colin — Unattached
8. MAGNER, Ty — Team Type 1-Development
9. SERBEL, Ryan — HurleyMetalFab.com p/b CCNS
10. NELESSEN, Guillaume — Van Dessel Factory Team

Kugler-Anderson Memorial Tour of Somerville
The 50-mile Kugler-Anderson Memorial Tour of Somerville, known as the “Kentucky Derby of Cycling”. The Tour is the oldest major bicycle race in the United States and a legend in the lore of bicycle racing. The results at High Point and Bound Brook events had led everyone to believe they had pulled through and had recovered from the bug that went through the entire team. The bug had cost the team a lot in terms of training, preparation, and recovery. When the guys took to the line against the NRC level competition again they realized that it was even more than they had thought. The team struggled early and missed the decisive 20 rider break. The guys mustered at the front and gave it all they could for almost 20 laps. With their tanks already pretty low they really did give it everything they had. It 5 riders chasing 20 and at times it looked like they were going to bring it back. They needed some help from other teams to complete the task. When the others teams finally decided to help with the chase it was just too late. This was unfortunate for them and even more so for us. As we chased, Neil thought about how as rider you can’t escape suffering. “Either you race hard to make the break, or you pay for it by chasing”. As you can tell from the picture it was hard for the guys and hopefully at the very least they are able to learn from and this remember they never want to be forced to chase like that again.

Luke was 2nd in the field sprint for 22nd place and this served as just another reminder of what could have been if they were sprinting for the win instead of 21st.

Next Up
REST, RECOVERY and the Base camp international (NRC) race in Basking Ridge, N.J.

The Base Camp International, June 2nd at 6:00, features a fast, technical 1.1 mile loop through the center of beautiful Basking Ridge, New Jersey. The course as 8 turns and 1 incline up to the finish.

 

Team Mountain Khakis: USA CRITS Speed Week - Race Recap

Speed Week, April 29th through May 8th

USA CRITS Speed Week is a series of seven criterium races over nine days across three southern states – starting with the Terrapin Twilight in Athens, Georgia and ending in the North Atlanta suburb of Sandy Springs. Speed Week features the best criterium cyclists in the world racing the downtown streets of seven cities, transforming these areas into international cycling competition arenas. As winners of both the individual and team competitions in past editions of Speed Week this was definitely going to be a team goal and a priority. Coming off a lot of early season successes the team was motivated, very confident, and felt that we had come together as unit enough to deliver a big result.

The team did ride great through the entire week getting some good results against a class field. In the end Luke finished in 10th place overall and the team was 3rd. Because the series was on the National Racing Calendar event list meant that the field at this year’s event may have been the best ever. Our results against this elite field were respectable, but surely not entirely what we were striving for. Sometimes we have to remember that big events like this are part of the learning and development curve for our riders. We realized that in bigger races we are still bonding and learning our individuals roles, strengths, and weaknesses. The lessons learned this week will surely lead to more opportunities on bigger stages later this year.

Terrapin Twilight Grid Qualifiers
The week started off really well with Ben making the elite 8 and the final heat of the highly-competitive Grid Qualifiers. The Grid Qualifier are races are staged on Computrainers that simulate doing 6 laps of the actual Twilight course. The team was proud to have 3 team alumni and Ben in the final heat.

Congrats to TMK-alum Joey Rosskopf (TT1 Development, 3rd from left) for taking the win! He averaged 467 watts for 7 min, 27 sec. Dan Ramsey (Full Circle Cycling, 5th from left) finished in 4th place, Oscar Clark (RealCyclist.com, 7th from left) took 6th, and Ben Zawacki (far right) finished 8th.

Link to video from the final heat: https://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=551175638099

Terrapin Twilight
Luke Keough was the team’s top finisher field-sprinting to 10th place after a hard-fought and exciting Terrapin Twilight Criterium in Athens, GA. Fortunately all of our riders stayed upright throughout the crash-filled race.

As always, spectators came out in droves to watch the high-speed and charged race. Luke had an impressive ride, holding position near the front of the race for all 80 laps while other team members cycled through, repeatedly caught behind crashes or fading back to recover after riding aggressively at the front. After an early break of 4 rode ahead and quickly lapped the completely strung-out field, Luke joined a second break of about a dozen riders that gained about 30 seconds on the field but was ultimately reeled-in with about 15 laps to-go. Luke deftly fought for position and held his spot throughout the chaotic final laps.


1. Luca DAMIANI, Kenda/5-Hour Energy
2. Boy VANPOPPEL, UnitedHealthcare
3. Christian HELMIG, ELBOWZ RACING
4. Andrew DAHLHEIM, BISSELL
5. Karl MENZIES, UnitedHealthcare
6. Ricky ESCUELA, Full Circle Sports
7. Jacob KEOUGH, UnitedHealthcare
8. Carlos ALZATE, Team Exergy
9. Eric BARLEVAV, Team Exergy
10.Luke KEOUGH, Team Mountain Khakis p/b SmartStop

Historic Roswell Criterium
The previous night at the Twilight was a real indication for the guys that the field here was as hungry and motivated for results as they were. To get them they were going to have to work hard and that was the plan. Several big crashes throughout the day's racing made it difficult for any one team to assert too much authority over the field on the 1 mile, 5 turn course. Particularly at one point in the race where a key (most likely race winning) break, with Adam and Jerome, formed and then suddenly the entire field was forced to a complete stop after a wreck on the backside took down most of the field. Until that point the field had largely taken turns soaking up lap primes since most efforts at a breakaway had proven futile.

The race-restart prompted even more urgency amongst the riders and because of that no one was allowed any advantage and a field sprint was destined. Luke once again found the back of the United Healthcare leadout train and rode in for an impressive 7th place. Notably his brother claimed the victory. Another crash in the last lap held up the other TMK riders, but thankfully none of the riders were hurt.

1. Jake Keough, Unitedhealthcare
2. Hilton Clarke, Unitedhealthcare
3. Carlos Alzate Escobar, Team Exergy
4. Eric Barlevav, Team Exergy
5. Paddy Bevin, Bissell
6. Luca Damiani, Kenda/5 Hour Energy
7. Luke Keough, Team Mountain Khakis p/b SmartStop
8. Karl Menzies, Unitedhealthcare
9. Andrew Dahlheim, Bissell
10. Freddie Rodriguez, Team Specialized

Beaufort Memorial Cycling Classic
After a well deserved rest day the team came out prepared and ready to really work hard. Unfortunately the plan was to sit in for the early part of the race and cover the late attacks. Lesson learned! The outcome of the men's race was decided almost in the first 15 minutes of the event as a group of key riders quickly laid down a blistering pace of 1:15 per lap. Once the field was all strung out behind them, a group of 11 men were able to force a clear separation from the rest of the riders, and that move would ultimately seal the fate of the race. By lap 26 of the 75 scheduled turns around the 1 km course, the escapees had lapped the field. Frustrated at having missed the move Adam, Ben, and Thomas went on the offensive and went clear in a group of 6. With very little chance of survival they valiantly remained clear of the charging field for 30 laps when they were reeled in with 5 to go.

Luke once again found the main sprinters leadout and got 2nd in the field sprint. With 11 riders already a lap up, it was good enough for 13th.

12 Jacob KEOUGH, UnitedHealthcare
13 Luke KEOUGH, Team Mountain Khakis p/b SmartStop


Downtown Walterboro Criterium
The guys had started to figure out that Luke was proving himself to be a threat in the field sprints and the team needed to focus on getting him into proper position and going for the podium. The team plan was just that and it helped that United Healthcare had the same plan and prevented any real breakaways from establishing. Coming into the last lap the team had Luke onto the UHC leadout train and a high placing looked to be just 2 turns away. However Luke was crashed from behind as riders swarmed the last corner. Thankfully once again no one was seriously hurt.

Despite crashing Luke remained in 7th overall and 2nd in the Best Young Rider competition. With another 3 riders finishing in the top 20, Team Mountain Khakis p/b SmartStop moved up to 3rd in the team competition.


17 Neil BEZDEK, Team Mountain Khakis p/b SmartStop
18 Thomas BROWN, Team Mountain Khakis p/b SmartStop
19 Emile ABRAHAM, Aerocat cycling team
20 Jerome TOWNSEND, Team Mountain Khakis p/b SmartStop

1. UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling, 3228 pts
2. Chipotle Development Team, 2209
3. Team Mountain Khakis, 2153

Spartanburg Regional Classic
With the plan the day before being ruined by a last lap crash, there was no reason not to try again. Mission, get Luke onto the UnitedHealthcare leadout in the last lap. After series of attacks after the mid-race prime failed to materialize, the team lined up behind Adam in anticipation of a sprint finish. Adam and the guys rode ahead with Luke on their wheel all the way until the final lap where he latched onto the UHC leadout. Ben also held on for another top-20 finish.

Link to video of finish: https://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=551536220489


1 to go as a packed downtown Spartanburg erupts.
1. Jacob Keough, UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling p/b Maxxis
2. Ricky Escuela, Full Circle Sports
3. Hilton Clarke, UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling p/b Maxxis
4. Karl Menzies, UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling p/b Maxxis
5. Luke Keough, Team Mountain Khakis p/b SmartStop

Dilworth Criterium
The hilly course around Latta Park in Charlotte, NC had the team on the ropes. The first signs of fatigue due to the weeklong of racing began to show. Missing a key move late in the race the team was once again put into position to set Luke up for a sprint. Luke once again put his field-sprinting skills to use and finished 12th, taking 7th in the long, uphill sprint behind a 5-man breakaway. Luke has moved up to 10th overall, and the team remained 3rd in the team competition.


Critical debrief after the race. A move we wish we had covered. Learning is a process!

1. TRAVIESO, Frank - Realcyclist.com Pro Cycling Team
2. KREDER, Raymond - Chipotle Development Team
3. HELMIG, Christian - Elbowz Racing
4. VANPOPPEL, Boy - UnitedHealthcare p/b Maxxis
5. ORONTE, Emerson - Jelly Belly Cycling Team p/b Kenda
6. KEOUGH, Jacob - UnitedHealthcare p/b Maxxis
7. CLARKE, Hilton - UnitedHealthcare p/b Maxxis
8. ESCUELA, Ricky - Full Circle Sports
9. ALZATE ESCOBAR, Carlos - Team Exergy
10. DAMIANI, Luca - Kenda/5-Hour Energy Pro Cycling
11. DAHLHEIM, Andrew - Bissell Pro Cycling
12. KEOUGH, Luke - Team Mountain Khakis p/b Smart

Global Imports Sandy Springs Cycling Challenge
Unfortunately the drive from Charlotte to Atlanta did not help to rejuvenate the guy’s tired legs. With the top 4 riders vying for the overall title being separated by less than 30 points overall the race started very aggressively and was really fast. A group of 15 quickly formed and went clear. 5 UnitedHealthCare riders drove the break to secure Jake Keough’s overall victory and quickly lapped the field. The guys did garner enough points to maintain Luke’s 10th overall and secure 3rd in the team standings.


Complete standing and results from Speed Week can be found here: http://usacrits.com/speedweek/?page_id=2

2011 USA CRITS Speedweek Standings (FINAL)

Men's Overall
1. Jake Keough, UnitedHealthCare - 1621 pts
2. Hilton Clarke, UnitedHealthCare - 1601 pts
3. Carlos Alzate, Team Exergy - 1597 pts
4. Luca Damiani, Kenda/5-Hour Energy - 1505 pts
5. Karl Menzies, UnitedHealthCare - 1452 pts
6. Andrew Dahlheim, Bissell - 1438 pts
7. Christian Helmig, Elbowz Racing - 1390 pts
8. Raymond Kreder, Chipolte Devo Team - 1293 pts
9. Ricky Escuela, Full Circle - 1237 pts
10. Luke Keough, Team Mountain Khakis p/b SmartStop - 1196 pts

Men's Overall Team
1. UnitedHealthCare Pro Cycling presented by Maxxis - 5760 pts
2. Team Exergy - 4013 pts
3. Team Mountain Khakis p/b SmartStop - 3806 pts
4. ELBOWZ Racing - 3598 pts
5. Chipolte Development Team - 3557 pts

NEXT UP:

The next two weekends bring another two rounds of the prestigious USA Cycling National Racing Calendar. On Wednesday the guys begin their trek to St. Louis for 3 days of racing at the Tour de Grove. One of St. Louis’ fastest growing neighborhoods, the Grove, will be featuring three competitive cycling events, a 5k run, family events, races for kids, a national cycling poster art show, and outdoor activities all day Saturday and into the evening. New for this year, the Tour de Grove is also part of the USA Crits Series- joining the best criterium races in the United States.

Tour de Grove, St. Louis, MO - May 14th: http://www.tourdegrove.com/
Wilmington Grand Prix, Wilmington, DE - May 20th - 22nd: http://www.wilmgrandprix.com/

Team Mountain Khakis: Hell of the High Country

Travis, Ben, Neil, and Jon enjoyed a Saturday close to home as they took on the Boone Roubaix. Dubbed the "Hell of the High Country" this race features numerous dirt climbs with grades over 20%. The Boone Roubaix gave the boys a chance to test out their Belgian-grade Noah Ridley’s on challenging terrain and enjoy some variety before resuming an ambitious criterium schedule next Saturday at SpeedWeek.

The field shattered 10 miles into the race, on the first of the day's dirt climbs. Travis made the lead group of 4 with TMK alum Andy Baker (Bissell Pro Cycling), Brian Sheedy (Lees McRae), and Kerry Werner (BMC Mountain Bike Team). This group worked smoothly all the way until the finish, where Brian Sheedy's early sprint gave him enough momentum the hold off a closing Travis Livermon.

For much of the race, Jon and Neil drove a 5-man chase group that took nearly a minute out of the leaders' gap but couldn't quite close the deal. After a series of late-race attacks disrupted the chase, Neil rolled ahead with Nick Housley of Chemstar p/b United Healthcare. Neil took 5th and Jon was 7th, only seconds behind.

Though flat tires were a common experience for many, TMK suffered none as the boys wisely chose to use their race-capable Maxxis Detonator training tires on the rough dirt roads in Boone.

Some great pictures of the guys can also be found here.

Boone-Roubaix, The-Hell-of-the-High-Country
April 23rd, Boone N.C.

1. Brian Sheedy Lees McRae college
2. Travis Livermon Team Mountain Khakis p/b SmartStop
3. Andy Baker Bissell Pro Cycling
4. Kerry Werner BMC Mountain Biking Team
5. Neil Bezdek Team Mountain Khakis p/b SmartStop
6. Nick Housley Chemstar p/b United Healthcare
7. Jon Hamblen Team Mountain Khakis p/b SmartStop

18th Annual Paris to Ancaster Bicycle Race, Ontario, Canada

Another race Inspired by the Paris-Roubaix classic is, the Paris to Ancaster in Ontario has taken place for the past seventeen years over the roughest farm lanes, trails and gravel roads we can find. Combined with unpredictable spring weather and the largest field of riders assembled in Canada, it has become a classic race experience for everyone from average riders to Canadian Olympians. Joining the race this year was our own Adam Myerson.

Beset by several mechanicals during the race he eventually finished 11th. Interesting video about the race and at 6:33 you can hear Adam’s perspective on it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiuwY7r0cQI

Terrapin Twilight in Athens Next Week

The Terrapin Twilight criterium is next week. This is perhaps the biggest criterium race in the U.S. and a good result there is a big team objective. Not only do the promoters and sponsors of this race do a fabulous job of producing this event they are also very big advocates of an active lifestyle through bicycle safety and education. As part of this effort there are many planned elementary school visits leading up to the big race. We thank Thomas for taking part in these activities and representing us as part of such a positive outreach program.

TEAM MOUNTAIN KHAKIS MEET-N-GREET
Come out and meet the 2011 members of Team Mountain Khakis presented by SmartStop at Half-Moon Outfitters in Athens Georgia before one of the biggest races of the year, Athens Twilight! There will be schwag items and fun give-aways from Mountain Khakis and Half-Moon Outfitters, including a jersey signed by the team, and one free entry into the 24 Hours of Booty - Atlanta!

Team Mountain Khakis: BOOM! At the Roanoke Twilight Criterium

The 2011 Roanoke Twilight Criterium was a huge success for the guys once again taking the top 2 spots in a tough and exciting race. Before the race the team talked about the course and the strategy. The race course was only .6 mile course and with 6 corners the team knew that this race would string out and cause a lot of the riders to get dropped from contention. The plan was to go to the front early and make the race hard and fast and that a break would probably be established early. With strong representation from teams such as Kenda/5-Hour Energy Pro Cycling p/b Geargrinder, Stan's NoTubes / AXA Equitable / CRCA, and XO COMMUNICATIONS/BATTLEY HARLEY-DAVIDSON they knew that this was not going to be an easy race.

Right from the start the race did string out and it did not take long for Ben to establish a small gap. Soon Thomas and Jared Nieters (Battley) also joined Ben. As the main group continued to shrink considerably each lap a few more riders slipped off the front. Just 20 minutes into the race a lead group of 7 had been established with all the favorites (Thomas, Ben, Russ Langley and Jared Nieters from XO, Phil Gaimon from Kenda, Clayton Barrows from Stan’s, and Jeremy Grimm from Cleveland Clinic). It was considerably early for this move and we had initially hoped to have separated from some of these key players, but with everyone represented the field was comfortable letting these riders move ahead.

The group of 7 worked together and lapped what was a considerably smaller field. Eventually more hostilities ensued and as Phil Gaimon made a strong attack the team was able to control this dangerous move. In doing so they reduced the lead group to 15. All the 7 leaders were still in contention but this had eliminated many of riders able to support those 7. So at this point we felt comfortable in Thomas’s ability to win this in a sprint and we waited to see if Ben could recover from his earlier efforts and try a late breakaway.

Ben was near the back of this group and looked in considerable pain so it was with some relief that with just 5 laps to go he gave us the thumbs up sign. With 3 laps to go Ben let the fireworks fly and attacked hard! His gap went from 6 seconds to 8, and continued to grow enough to where he had time for a comfortable victory salute. Neil had Thomas in great position out the last corner and he took a convincing 2nd place. BOOM!

2011 Roanoke Twilight Criterium, Roanoke, VA
Saturday, April 16, 2011

1. Ben Zawacki - Team Mountain Khakis p/b SmartStop
2. Thomas Brown - Team Mountain Khakis p/b SmartStop
3. Clayton Barrows - Stan's NoTubes / AXA Equitable / CRCA
4. Russ Langley - XO COMMUNICATIONS/BATTLEY HARLEY-DAVIDSON

UP NEXT:

With Easter approaching the team will take the weekend off. That does not mean they will not stop preparing for the Terrapin Twilight Criterium and Speed Week. USA CRITS Speed Week is a series of seven criterium races over nine days across three southern states – starting in Athens, Georgia and ending in the North Atlanta suburb of Sandy Springs. Speed Week features the best criterium cyclists in the world racing the downtown streets of seven cities, transforming these areas into international cycling competition arenas. Olympians and world- and nationally-ranked athletes will take to the streets to contest the series.

Speed Week commences in Athens on April 29th and runs through May 8th.

http://usacrits.com/speedweek/

One again we humbly thank you for support and interest in the team. We are truly honored to be able to put the team on the road with the necessary support and armed with the best equipment to be able to do what they have done. Their performance to date has truly made us very proud.

Team Mountain Khakis p/b SmartStop race recap - Sunny Kin, "Not so Sunny"

Team Mountain Khakis p/b Smart Stop made their National Race Calendar debut this weekend with a strong showing at the Sunny King Criterium on Saturday night. With a 3rd place finish by Luke the team was absolutely elated. As the podium presentation ensued the team learned that Luke had been disqualified and that elation turned to dismay and frustration. Luke was being relegated for an infraction that was the result of a miscommunication between the race officials that was no fault of his own.

Although disappointing for everyone, it is exciting to think about what is in store for the guys at the next big race. Luke’s showing at Anniston was amazing and although he was relegated we think it is just a matter of time until this 19 year old phenomenon shows everyone his talents and rightfully takes his place on the podium of a national caliber event.

Sunny King Criterium, Anniston, AL (NRC)

With a successful campaign of local racing behind them, the boys were eager to test their legs in a national-level event at the Sunny King Criterium in downtown Anniston, Alabama. Team Mountain Khakis p/b SmartStop held its own against a strong, international field, animating the race from the start and placing riders in each of the evening's major moves.

Adam near the front as the field flies uphill past the start-finish

Thomas made a strong showing in early moments of the race, winning a prime and riding solo off the front for a few laps before he was consumed by the fast-charging pack behind. Despite the blistering pace and constantly strung-out field, few moves gained a significant advantage over the main bunch until late in the race, when a group of 12 broke free with 13 laps to-go. As Ben, who has a degree in astrophysics, drove the break along with teammate Thomas, race announcer Chad Andrews exclaimed that "The Spaceman has launched into outer space!" Unfortunately, their efforts were in vain as the group failed to organize and the entire field came together with 5 laps to go.

Ben, a.k.a. "The Spaceman," was one of the most aggressive participants in the race

Meanwhile, Luke was deftly regaining position in the chaotic field after officials re-inserted him into the race after stopping for a wheel change with 6 laps to-go. He came through the final corner with promising speed and position, launching an early sprint at the base of the long, uphill homestretch and crossing the line in an impressive third place behind Jonathan Cantwell (V Australia) and Mike Northey (Pure Black Racing). Sadly, officials ruled that Luke's wheel-change occurred after the free-lap had expired. Though the infraction was the result of a miscommunication and due to no fault of his own, Luke was disqualified. Behind him, Thomas sprinted for 11th and Adam was 16th.

"Team Mountain Khakis p/b SmartStop really stepped it up tonight, and along with Pure Black Racing, was one of the two teams that really animated the race," remarked team co-owner Jamie Bennett, who watched the entire race live on internet U-Stream coverage. "Luke's disqualification is a tough blow, but we should keep our heads up and stay focused on promising things to come. I'm really proud of the way the team rode tonight."

Jonathan Cantwell (V Australia) took the win just ahead of Luke, visible in the background

1. Jonathan Cantwell -  V Australia
2. Mike Northey -  Pure Black Racing
3. Rahsaan Bahati -  SKLZ Pista Palace
4. Patrick Bevin -  Bissell Pro Cycling
5. Raymond Kreder - Chipotle Development
6. Luca Damiani - Kenda p/b 5 Hour Energy
7. Emile Abraham - AeroCat Cycling
8. Ty Magner Team - Type 1 Development
9. Davide Frattini - United Healthcare
10. Daniel Holt Team - Type 1 Development
11. Thomas Brown - Team Mountain Khakis p/b SmartStop
12. Daniel Summerhill - Chipotle Development
13. David Guttenplan - Four 2 One Sports/Chemstar
14. Thomas Scully - Chipotle Development
15. Michael Sherer  - Kelly Benefits Strategies
16. Adam Myerson -  Team Mountain Khakis p/b SmartStop
17. Bernard Sulzberger - V Australia
18. Hannes Baumgarten - Iron Data Racing
19. Daniel Barry - PureBlack Racing
20. Isaac Howe - Kenda p/b 5 Hour Energy

Foothills Road Race, Anniston, AL

Just hours after the previous night's race, TMK lined up for the hilly, 67-mile Foothills Road Race early on Sunday morning. Though the field stayed together over the course's first few climbs, Travis put in a well-timed attack after a series of difficult hills and a group of 8 formed the break of the day. Midway through the race, the break surged up a steep, mile-long climb and Travis was forced out of the move.

Adam instructed his teammates to save their legs and be patient while he moved to the front of the main field to being the chase. He was soon joined Kenda p/b 5 Hour Energy, RealCyclist.com, and Chipotle Development in working to bring the move back, and the gap was significantly reduced as the pack approached the final climb of the day, only miles from the flat finish. The field shattered as riders attacked up the climb, but Ben, Thomas, and Neil managed to stay with the main group as it rolled toward the finish. With 2k to go, the three remaining riders from the original move were within sight, and Neil attempted to bridge to the leaders when a lull at the front of the main field slow their pursuit. Neil's attack was short-lived as the riders behind him responded immediately, and he held on for 17th place while Thomas' reliable sprint was disrupted by a near-crash immediately in front of him.

Next Up: The 2011 Roanoke Twilight Criterium April 16th will be the first Roanoke Twilight Criterium. This will be an exciting event for spectators as racers battle at night on a tight downtown course in Roanoke, Virginia.