Red Hook Crit - An Italian Conquered Brooklyn

He was one of the big men, Ivan Ravaioli, literally. In Brooklyn for the first stage of Rockstar Red Hook Crit 2015, he came to win it. And he won it. By half a wheel, at photo-finish, but he won it. Lining up the Spaniard Luis Junquera San Millan and the Mexican Raul Torres Pagaza on this pier street, very technical circuit – 1.25 km (0,78 miles) to be repeated 24 times for a total of 30 km (18,6 miles) for men and 18 times for a total of 22,5 km (14 miles) for women. Luckily, as a 34 year-old former road pro who ten years ago rode Giro d’Italia (Tour of Italy) and monument one-day classic Milano-Sanremo, he had no specific experience to beat fixed gear track bike fanatics.

The female race was dominated by the Spanish Ainara Elbusto Artega, first in 2014 in Barcelona and second in Milan and winner of the last Championship Series. She sprinted over the French Fleur Faure, at her very first U.S. appearance, and veteran Kacey Manderfield Lloyd, winner of first edition in 2008, who is returned to competition after a year as female race commissioner.

Great performance by 18 year-old Italian Vittoria Reati, fifth like her elder brother Augusto, third in qualifiers and one of the candidates for the Championship Series success. To conquer fans’heart, however, was also Stefania Baldi, ninth and best Italian female in qualifying and very unlucky during the race.

More unlucky of all was the Dutchman Stefan Vis, fastest lap winner in qualifiers ahead of Frenchman Thibaud Lhenry, 2014 Championship Winner – he crushed and broke his collarbone during the race. He will have time and opportunity to make up for himself.

On July 11 in London’s debut, on 5 September in Barcelona and in the “grand finale” on 10 October in Milan. The Rockstar Red Hook Crit 2015 is just beginning.

CHRISTIAN GIORDANO, SKY SPORTS