American Biking Group Targets AFCC

On June 3 & 4, the American Biking Group will take to the road on the Armed Forces Biking Traditional. We requested workforce boss Thomas Craven a number of questions on what to look ahead to…

1. Please introduce your self and provides us slightly background on you and your workforce.

My identify is Thomas Craven and I’m the Chief Sports activities Director of the American Biking Group. I’ve been concerned in criterium bike racing for 41 years, since I used to be 15 years outdated.   We had a motorcycle race in entrance of my home and my household hosted some riders. I used to be a bit hesitant at first however as soon as I noticed the velocity, the ability and the enjoyable these guys had I began planning for my debut. I  saved up sufficient cash by mowing grass, working in meals service and common saving to purchase my first racing bike.  A Melton body with all Campagnolo Nuovo Document elements with Arc en Ciel 36 gap rims and Clement Criterium tires with Pink Bennotto clean handlebar tape. It took some time however I used to be hooked on that bike and the game.

Since then I’ve raced all around the world as both a member of Schwinn/Wheaties, 7-Eleven, Chevrolet LA Sheriffs or as a Director for 10 years with the Hincapie Skilled Racing Group.

This 12 months with American Biking we’re strictly a Criterium workforce that’s loosely based mostly out of Florida by the use of Greenville SC. The workforce was began by Michael Hernandez and myself to proceed what we began final 12 months with a Florida Primarily based workforce BBR. I actually simply take pleasure in attending to the races, prepping for the occasions & experiencing the highs and the lows.  I’m studying from the riders in addition to instructing them the fundamentals of race technique, journey and how you can simply have some enjoyable. We’ve got a robust latin affect on the workforce so I’m slowly studying some Spanish and it’s nice to see extra riders coming from Venezuela, Columbia and Mexico to discover a place on the groups within the USA.

2. What’s your historical past with this the AFCC and what do you suppose makes this race distinctive from different races?

The Armed Forces Traditional is nice as a result of it’s 2 days, 2 programs, and a couple of several types of riders can do effectively right here. Positive its considerably flat however with the turns and the gap on the 2nd day it makes for a tougher race. Conservation and energy play an important a part of each days.  The crowds are nice… I like to see of us have brunch, a marg, and watch a motorcycle race via the weekend. The truth that this occurs yearly for the final 25 is really a testomony to Rob, it’s not simple to get certainly one of these began however I feel Clarendon might be relying on him doing it yearly now.  It’s greater than a race… it’s a taking place at this level.

3. Any particular recollections or tales from racing right here up to now?

I’ve by no means raced this one personally, surprisingly. So final 12 months is my solely reference… It’s sizzling, it’s laborious and it’s a ready sport on each days. Usually each races are determined within the final quarter of the race. We are going to see a breakaway on Sunday so I’m excited for some good racing.

I do know that final 12 months after the Sunday race my guys all went all the way down to the capital to see the Jefferson Memorial,  Washington monument on e-bikes and street round all evening… I solely discovered from Instagram.

4. Objectives for the weekend – what do you and the workforce hope to realize?

We’re coming into the weekend after a while off… so first aim it to get everybody right here. With flights and journey so whacky lately that could be a win proper there.  2nd aim is to place our workforce within the place to win. I have a look at the primary day because the ice breaker to the Leg breaker on Sunday. I want to see us podium on each days with a win on a minimum of one.

5.  What would you say to riders and followers who haven’t seen this race earlier than? 

Eat 4 hours earlier than the race, begin half full and begin fueling up as quickly because it begins. With the quantity of turns and the depth of the course you’ll be able to simply begin to really feel dangerous fast when you don’t have your diet/hydration proper ‘.  I’ll be on the course with chilly bottles for my guys and I’d anticipate at hand out 50 or so in the course of the race.  The race is set within the second half usually.  Nonetheless… it’s a bike race and though historical past tells you one factor, it may possibly all the time change shortly that’s what makes the game so difficult. Simply once you suppose you could have it found out #Growth the break goes from the gun and you might be sitting there your stem for two hours questioning WTF simply occurred.

Comply with the American Biking workforce at https://www.instagram.com/american.biking/

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