Friday, March 03, 2006

RU Classic Preview

After months of preparations, The Rutgers Collegiate Cycling Classic is only one day away. Despite a forecast calling for cold temperatures, the racing promises to be red hot!

Pre-registration for the race weekend has already matched our total number of racers from last year! Collegiate cyclists from across the Northeast - Harvard, Yale, BU, Cornell, Darthmouth, Penn State, UVM, Mercyhurst, Ithaca College, U Delaware, Bates, Hamilton, Bard, etc. - will descend on New Brunswick and Piscataway for a weekend of incredibly exciting racing.

Saturday brings the Johnson Park TT and Busch Campus Criterium. Rutgers boasts several time trial specialists (including podium finishers in the Harriman Triathlon series) who will be looking to test their early season form in this 4.6 mile, no aero TT. Last year, Rutgers' top placing was 9th in the TT. This year, with more experience and training under their belt, the RU time trialists will be looking for nothing less than a win.

Saturday afternoon presents an opportunity for the technically savvy and brutally strong Rutgers criterium racers to show their skills on the wickedly fast and technical criterium course on Busch campus. Last year's crit was an eye-opening experience for the young team. This year, the team has a far greater depth of racers who can power away on flat, technical courses and win in a field sprint. Look for Rutgers to ride aggressively for primes and animate all the races throughout the day. Rutgers is wiser, more technically adept, and just plain faster this year. Look out!

Sunday's circuit race is the day for the all-around rider. With its gently rolling hills and tight turns, the circuit race course demands riders gifted with incredible endurance and bike handling skills. With some of our TT specialists taking a break from the criterium on Saturday afternoon, watch for Rutgers in breakaways and daring solo attempts that just might work...

Check back for updates as the race weekend progresses!

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