Princeton, NJ - If the Fitchburg/Longsjo Classic is the Tour de France to New England bike racers, than the Giro di Jersey was its Dauphine Libere. Typically, a big stage race requires some sort of practice, a tune-up for the big show. The Giro di Jersey, with its time trial, road race, and circuit race, just two weeks before heading back to Massachusetts for Fitchburg, was the perfect warm-up. Read the rest of this entry »

This Sunday, June 16^th, was filled with excitement on the streets of Harlem in NYC. With the Manhattan skyline as a backdrop over 100 of the nations top criterium racers competed in Harlem Skyscraper classic. This year’s race was more of a spectacle than previous years as it was promoted by the flamboyant Rock Racing cycling team. The race ultimately delivered everything you could expect from the team that represents the over the top and in your face Rock and Republic designer jean company. Television cameras were everywhere, hanging over the start finish area and hovering above every turn, while a helicopter circled overhead with more cameras covering the action below. WCSN broadcast the race live on Television and online as three commentators screamed continuously while covering the high speed event. The scene resembled an outdoor rock concert more than it did a bike race as thousands of spectators lined the .8mile course. The event was an adrenaline charged 55 laps of high speed crash filled action, which was animated by the who’s who in American professional bike racing. Read the rest of this entry »

Things looked bleak heading west on I-84. Ominous thunder clouds barked in the distance and the further west you drove, the harder it rained. Somehow the clouds began to break and revealed a pale blue sky just before Southbury, Connecticut, home to one of the most challenging races on the New England circuit. With a steady heat building and the mists of the early morning rain floating above the pavement, the humidity level was approximately 10,000%. Read the rest of this entry »

Schedule Updates:
The team will continue its very active schedule for the next three weeks. This upcoming weekend we’ll have a select squad in the USA Crits Skyscraper Harlem Cycling Classic (Harlem, NYC) where MetLife will line up against Rock Racing and some of the best criterium racers in the country. The rest of the team will be battling the heat and hills of southwestern Connecticut at the Housatonic Hills road race where we expect big things from our climbers Scott and Charlie (Housatonic features over 9,000 feet of climbing within 80 miles). This should serve as good preparation for the AT&T Austin Criterium trip and the Giro d’Jersey the following weekend, all leading up to an action packed end of June/beginning of July featuring eight race days and two NRC events…and then a much deserved rest week after that!

Boloco Heartbreak Hill Grand Prix registration now open.

Just a few miles west of downtown Boston, this exciting new circuit race will start and finish in Newton Centre, climbing up the legendary Heartbreak Hill once per lap (5.1 mile loop.) Bring your friends and family to this race, it’s going to be a giant block party with 5K and 10K running races followed by a full afternoon of pro-am bicycle racing. Proceeds from the event help the Lance Armstrong Foundation in their battle against cancer. For more information about the race, please visit http://www.bolocorace.com

Acquia presents New England Race Week, 6/28-7/6
The Boloco Heartbreak Hill Grand Prix will be the 2nd event in New England Race Week, offering eight days of racing across four states with over $75,000 in prize money! For more information about NERW, please visit http://www.newenglandraceweek.com

It pays to tell your friends & family!
You can win great prizes for referring runners to the Boloco Heartbreak Hill Grand Prix 5K & 10K races. Just tell them to list your name for the “How did you hear about the race?” question on registration. We’ll tally up the referrals on race day and award $100, $50 and $25 gift cards from Boloco to the top three referrers, respectively. The winner (or their guest) will also get to ride in the pace car during the bicycle race (and more prizes coming soon!)

Volunteers race for free!
We are seeking volunteers to help with several aspects of the event prior to race day, including registration, course sweeping and the (always popular) stuffing of race-bags. We also need course marshals to help keep everyone safe during the full afternoon of bike races. There will be two marshal crews; crew 1 will be on course from 1-4pm while crew 2 will be on course from 4-6:30pm. If interested in helping, please register online for your race and then email alain@metlifecycling.com for more information. All volunteers will receive a refund of their race entry fee at the event as well as free entry into next year’s race.

Host housing needed!
Many of the pro cyclists are inquiring about host housing for New England Race Week. If you live within ~20 miles of Boston and have space for a few cyclists and their gear, please consider helping these guys out with free accommodations. Please email alain@metlifecycling.com for more information.