XO Communication Racing p/b Cisco

June – July Highlights: XO Wins US Elite Nationals, Reston Grand Prix Men’s and Women’s Races, and Chesco Road Race

XO RACING — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 12:46:44 +0000

XO Racing’s Nick Bax on the podium, winner of 2012 Chesco Road Race.

Nick Bax continues the streak of incredible team racing into July with a win at Chesco Grand Prix in Pennsylvania, other highlights include:

Adam Farabaugh lands gold at USA Elite Nationals!

Keck Baker wins RGS Title Reston Crit P12 in solo move

Lindsay Bayer wins the women’s P12 race

(and “family member” Jose Nunez of the Battley HD/Sonoma Master’s squad wins the 35+)!

Adam Farabaugh USA Elite National Criterium Champion!

XO RACING — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 21:48:58 +0000

Video of Adam Farabaugh USA Elite National Criterium Criterium Champion 2012

Sponsor Highlight: Hincapie Custom Apparel

XO RACING — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 20:00:10 +0000

Hincapie Sportswear

In 2012, XO Racing is proudly wearing Hincapie custom cycling apparel for all its local, regional, and national events.

XO Riders are wearing jerseys and bib shorts from Hincapie’s custom Velocity line. Created specifically for racing, the Velocity collection features aerodynamic panels, minimized seams, and a tight anatomic Pro fit.

Beyond the quality of the apparel itself (which our riders rave about), the team was impressed with the high level of communication with the company throughout the design and ordering process.

The Hincapie family’s dedication to premium apparel reaches back to its roots in Colombia, South America. Ricardo Hincapie developed a passion for cycling when he started racing bicycles in his native Colombia. He introduced his sons, George and Rich to the sport he loved as soon as they were old enough to turn the pedals. All three Hincapie men have been sharing your passion ever since.

Hincapie Sportswear was created to meet the need for quality custom cycling clothing for teams and clubs, and it remains a core part of what we do every day. Our company owned factory in Medellin, Colombia is run by George and Rich’s aunt and uncle, Marie and Jorge Hincapie. Together they have over 30 years of apparel manufacturing experience. We produce custom garments for large and small teams and clubs, races and rides, corporations and charitable organizations.

Follow the Hincapie blog here!

XO Will Sponsor Tour of Utah August 7 – 12, 2012

XO RACING — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 17:27:57 +0000

As one of four International Cycling Union-sanctioned, multi-stage American pro cycling events in 2012, the Tour of Utah showcases some of the most prestigious teams and cyclists, attracting worldwide attention as the top international cycling event that follows the Tour de France. The magnificent scenery, relentless climbs over high mountain routes, the punishing challenge of desert courses, and urban circuits have earned it the reputation of “America’s Toughest Stage Race.” The race will begin in Ogden, climbing past Robert Redford’s Sundance Resort under the summit of Mt. Timpanogos to the ascent along Little Cottonwood Canyon to the Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort. See full schedule.During each stage of the race, XO Communications will award the cyclist most dedicated to reliability and speed with the XO sprint jersey. Commonly called a points jersey, it has become a hallmark of UCI races and recognizes the rider who accumulates the most points daily, in designated sprint lines, also called XO Communications sprint lines during the race.

Dave Fuentes 2012 Criterium Champion and King of Comebacks!

XO RACING — Sun, 10 Jun 2012 20:33:42 +0000

Dave Fuentes, riding with the full support of his XO teammates last weekend the the 2012 Criterium Championships – completes an amazing comeback just 2 years after being severely injured by a distracted driver while on a training ride.

Dave expressed it best just after his win:

“Thank you to everyone who sent me well wishes and congratulations. It was/sill is a long recovery process that could not have been achieved with great support, friends and family. All of this has been witnessed by 1 person, whom without, would not be possible. She has been by my side from beginning to end, has seen my highs and lows and has never wavered in her encouragement of me to never give up, even as I laid in a hospital bed with a broken back, leg and shoulder wondering if I would ever walk correctly again, never mind ride a bike. I love you Christine Fuentes, your all the encourgement I’ll ever need.”

XO Racing May Highlights: Eight Wins, 1 NRC Title, 1 USA Crits Title, 6 Podiums, multitude of top-10 placings

XO RACING — Wed, 30 May 2012 05:05:17 +0000

As you may have noticed, we’ve been busy racing and updating our site, our kit, and our list of wins. It’s been an incredible month for the men’s and women’s squads, which spent much of April on the road but came back to the Mid-Atlantic with some good form. Highlights below. Lindsay Bayer wins three women’s Pro/National races in three weeks! XO Racing’s Lindsay Bayer has been on a National-Level hot streak with an incredible string of professional victories in only her second year of road racing. In the last three weeks, Lindsay has the following victories: The Professional women’s race at the USA Crits Downtown Walterboro Criterium May 2. The NCC Professional Women’s Race at the Wilmington Grand Prix in Delaware May 19. The Bike Jam Kelly Cup in Baltimore, MD. Local media picked up Lindsay’s Wilmington win and featured Lindsay in a photo with the new XO Racing jersey. And yes, her results even made an Italian cycling site! Ryan DeWald emerges in 2012 as XO Racing’s go-to criterium rider with a series of wins and strong podium finishes in regional and national events against pro riders. At this past weekend’s BikeJam Kelly Cup in Baltimore, MD where Dewald made the day’s key break with 3 other XO riders, then landed 2nd place in photo finish – missing 1st in a tight photo finish with and Russian Olympic team Sprinter. The day before, Ryan landed a top-15 finish at the National Criterium Calendar Pro race at Wilmington Grand Prix, finishing among a select group of pro and elite riders. Other notable recent recents: Dewald second place to Olympian Bobby Lea at Smoketown (PA) Criterium. Dewald wins the Rock Lititz Tour (PA) final stage Criterium on April 29. Dewald lands 3rd and on the podium in a photo finish at the Roanoke Twilight Criterium in Roanoake, VA on April 21. Adam Farabaugh, one of the team’s strongest road race riders, lands on podium with a strong 2nd place finish at the Turkey Hill Road Race in Lancaster, PA. Junior program rider Sam Bell wins the 2012 Mid-Atlantic Junior Criterium Championship held at BikeJam Kelly Cup in Baltimore Maryland. Sam is 17 years old! On May 12, Jose Escobar wins the mid-Atlantic spring classic Poolesville Road Race (MD) a 74 mile rolling course featuring 2 miles of gravel and dirt roads each lap. Jared Nieters, a member of the Domestic Elite team who also moonlights as a “masters” racer and lands on podium with 2nd place at 2012 Mid-Atlantic Masters (35+) Championship at Bike Jam Kelly Cup in Baltimore, then plays a critical role in the Pro race immediately after. A couple weeks earlier, Nieters wins the Artemis BH Criterium on May 6, Masters 35+ race. Monika Sattler wins the Elite Women’s Virginia Hill Climb Championship 2012 on April 29 in Wintergreen, VA. XO Racing unveils new 2012 team kits featuring the new XO Communications Logo and highlighting co-sponsors Cisco Systems and Hincapie Sportswear on April 19, 2012

XO Racing’s Domestic Elite Squad on the Road: Joe Martin Stage Race and NRC Speedweek

XO RACING — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 22:24:32 +0000

Another away weekend for Washington, DC’s only NRC/NCC Domestic Elite Team. The squad divided between the Joe Martin Stage Race in Arkansas, where Keck Baker, Sean Barrie, and Adam Farabaugh will be battling against the premier professional teams from around the United States. You can follow the action at Joe Martin here on cyclingnews.com. In addition, XO is sending a small criterium squad to Georgia and the Carolinas for a week of NCC and USA Crit Racing known as “Speedweek,” a series of 6 races over 8 days on extremely fast, highly technical courses with significant prize money. The squad includes Jared Nieters, Frank Cundiff, Development team member Darion Fleming, and women’s squad member Lindsay Bayer. The Speedweek schedule can be found here and don’t forget that the classic Athens Twilight Crit will be live-streamed on uride.tv! Finally, a small squad including Adam Switters from the men’s team and Monika Sattler and Ky Hunter of the women’s, will be heading to the Tour de Moore in North Carolina for the professional 1/2 Road Race.

XO’s Ryan Dewald grabs 3rd at Roanoke Twilight, aspiring national Criterium

XO RACING — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 18:37:10 +0000

XO Racing’s Domestic Elite criterium riders traveled to Roanoke, VA this weekend for two back-to-back dowbtown races at the Roanoke Twilight Criterium Weekend hosted by Starlight Custom Cycling Apparel. The Twilight Criterium – an aspiring national calendar event with huge prize money – was stacked with Professional and Domestic Elite Riders, and XO Racing landed Ryan Dewald in the winning break, where he managed 3rd in a photo finish, Keck Baker in 5th, and two other riders – Adam Switters and Jared Nieters – in the top 15. Video of Ryan Dewald in Photo Finish at Roanoake Twilight Results here and below

1	95.61	Curtis Winsor (1 – Pro)	Harrisonburg, VA	187500	44	Kenda/5hr Energy
2	100.72	Jeff Pendlebury (1 – Cat2)	Fredericksburg, OH	307012	10	Cleveland Clinic Sports Health – RGF Cycling pb Felt Bicycles.
3	105.83	Ryan Dewald (1 – Cat1)	Mount Penn, PA	89187	27	XO COMMUNICATIONS p/b CISCO
4	110.94	John Delong (2 – Cat1)	Blacksburg, VA	61583	16	VeloShine Cycling Team
5	116.05	Keck Baker (3 – Cat1)	New Kent, VA	211712	29	XO COMMUNICATIONS p/b CISCO
6	121.16	Evan Fader (4 – Cat1)	Morrisville, NC	194569	19	Earthfare/i9 pb Cyclesport
7	126.27	David Flynn (5 – Cat1)	Winston Salem, NC	277970	32	Velo Shine
8	131.38	Jeremy Grimm (6 – Cat1)	Orrville, OH	187082	11	Cleveland Clinic Sports Health ? RGF Cycling pb Felt Bicycles
9	136.49	Benjamin Zawacki (2 – Pro)	Weare, NH	144633	1	Team Mountain Khakis/SmartStop
10	141.60	Eric Workowski (7 – Cat1)	Kutztown, PA	103440	2	Fuji
11		Weiss Scott			37	Velo Shine
12	151.82	Ben Frederick (2 – Cat2)	Harrisonburg, VA	324234	12	Kelly Benefit Strategies/Lateral Stress Velo
13	156.93	Nathaniel Ward (8 – Cat1)	Winston-salem, NC	217857	26	Embrocation Cycling Journal
14	162.04	Adam Switters (9 – Cat1)	Midlothian, VA	127093	28	XO COMMUNICATIONS p/b CISCO
15	167.15	Jared Nieters (10 – Cat1)	Haymarket, VA	220150	7	XO COMMUNICATIONS p/b CISCO

Video: XO Racing’s Ryan Dewald at Roanoke Twilight Last lap and Finish

XO RACING — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 18:28:08 +0000

Roanoke Twilight Last lap and Finish.

Knocking on the door: Farabaugh storms to top-20 finish at UCI Battenkill, Baker places 23rd

XO RACING — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 22:53:55 +0000

Last weekend, April 15th, XO Racing sent its top road race riders to the uncontested Queen of American Races – the Tour of the Battenkill in Cambridge New York.

Battenkill is the closest that riders in the United States will come to riding a true northern European Spring Classic: the men’s Pro UCI Race on Sunday featured 124 miles of punchy climbs, gravel and dirt sections, countless flat tires, and the best professional riders in the country. The squad – which included Sean Barrie, Keck Baker, Adam Farabaugh, and Adam Switters – pulled off the best team finish of any amateur Domestic Elite team, with Adam Farabaugh finishing in 19th place and Keck Baker in 23rd. Riders finishing just ahead of Adam and Keck included Tour de France veterans, international professionals, and the best domestic riders in the country. From Adam’s race report: “Battenkill was awesome, fast, and brutally hard, and dusty as heck as you may have seen from some of the pictures. First lap was fast but pretty much stayed all together until coming back over Meetinghouse where the group really whittled down. I just caught back on right before after running up a steep loose gravel section where everyone was across the road. Yo-yoed on and off and chased back on the pavement after meeting house with 5 others for a few k’s. Lead group was probably down to 30 through the start finish with Switters and I making the split. Everyone just kept attacking all the way to just before Juniper swamp to try and set the days break keeping the pace guttered at 30mph in a cross wind. I followed a few moves but didn’t have it to follow the one that finally went [ed note: with Tour rider and eventual winner Francisco Mancebo]. We would go hard on the climbs and dirt sections, especially at the end but just rode steady in-between. It went hard over the last climb and was fast into town for the sprint for 14th. I went kinda early as to not get boxed in and started to wane toward the line and ended up 6th out of the group for 19th. Keck was just behind me in 23rd and he’ll tell his story. One heck of a race and one of my favorite. Wish we could do races like that every week…” More excellent race photos of all teams can be found here

Tour of the Battenkill 2012 Top 25

1. Francisco Mancebo (Spa) Competitive Cyclist in 4:55:54 2. Jesse Anthony (USA) Optum Pro Cycling-Kelly Benefit Strategies 3. Jeremy Vennell (USA) Bissell Pro Cycling 4. Joey Rosskopf (USA) Team Type 1-Sanofi at 5. Mike Friedman (USA) Optum Pro Cycling-Kelly Benefit Strategies 6. Jeff Louder (USA) Unitedhealthcare 7. Ben Jacques-Maynes (USA) Bissell Pro Cycling 8. Benjamin Day (Aus) UnitedHealthcare 9. Bruno Langlois (Can) Spidertech p/b C10 10. John Murphy (USA) Kenda-5-hour Energy 11. Chad BEYER, Competitive Cyclist 12. Tom LAST 13. Devan DUNN 14. Cole HOUSE, Competitive Cyclist 15. Shawn MILNE, Kenda-5-hour Energy 16. Luca DAMIANI, Kenda-5-hour Energy 17. Evan OLIPHANT 18. Kiel REIJNEN, Team Type 1-Sanofi 19. Adam FARABAUGH, XO Racing p/b Cisco Sytems 20. David FLEISCHHAUER 21. Frank Kevin PIPP, Bissell 22. Ian CRANE +11:43 23. Keck BAKER, XO Racing p/b Cisco Sytems 24. Jeffrey PERRIN 25. Aaron FILLION