Mid SpeedWeek Recap
+SPEEDCLUB MEDIA
In case you’ve missed it, MG has been shocking the crit world the past week. He’s been riding independently against the world’s largest crit-focused teams (Legion of LA, Reign Storm, etc), and putting on an absolute show in the process.
He has yet to finish outside of the top 10 in the first 5 races of the 8 race series, making the breakaway every day and earning nothing but respect as he races solo against America’s top teams.
The highlight so far was the Super Bowl of criterium racing - Athens Twilight. With a field of 160 strung out single file, MG spent the majority of the race off the front animating the break. Ultimately, it was MG that chased down the lone Legion rider on the last lap, only to be countered by the winner, Thomas Gibbons. If you did not see it live, we encourage you to go back to watch it as it’s beng heralded as one the greatest criterium races of all times.
Going into Tuesday night’s Union City race he was in the SpeeWeek leader’s jersey - something that has completely baffled the established crit teams that use this week as their biggest target of the year. Rumor has it that several of the larger teams packed their bags as a result.
Union City was a tough flat course that saw MG spend the entire night driving the break until the group expanded to represent six other riders from the same teams. MG wisely stopped working and as soon as he did they were caught by the group. A chaotic field sprint ensued, with MG losing a few points but retaining his overall lead. It’s a slight margin, so the remaining races are going to be hot and aggressive.
The race series concludes this weekend with races Friday (Hapeville), Saturday (LaGrange), and Sunday (College Park).
The week is only half over and we already consider it a success. As a reminder, this is just one of many targets for our program - not THE target. We are stoked on MG’s performance, panache and character as a racer flying the SpeedClub flag. Everyone that has come out to support in person, online, and during those tough SpeedClub Saturday winter training rides has played a part.
The race for the top step is tight! Come out and support as he looks to clinch the overall victory.
Check out the Union City pre-race interview HERE and look for more interviews on Instagram.
Spartanburg Last Lap
Check out this incredible footage of MG’s lap flyer, caught on 360 cam by the eventual winner Jim Brown. Crashes in the field made this absolute chaos. Jim had a good lead out.
MGR CORNER
Hey everyone!
It’s been a fantastic start to SpeedWeek, as seen above I am currently holding the overall lead at the midpoint of the series. It has been a wild first 4 races, racing my heart out and enjoying every second.
Things kicked off on Thursday night in Greenville, lapping the field with a group of 10. The course was one of the most technical I’d ever raced in the US and an absolute blast to ride. We didn’t realize on the night that lapping up would allow teams like Legion, Blazers, and Reign to use their teams to assist the riders in my group. It was hectic as hell, ending 8th.
Day 2 was Spartanburg. This was the race I was most nervous about. Spartanburg is a pan-flat simple 4-corner course known for speed and big crashes. The race typically comes down to a bunch sprint. Our legs dictated otherwise. After being told more than once that I was “trash” by a rider from a quite popular US team (rhyming with “region”), I jumped and shortly after a move of 8 of us was away. Got em.
Having jumped too late the night prior, I decided to make my move with one to go. It wasn’t quite enough and I was passed by a few of the super snappy guys in the final straight, finishing 6th
Saturday was the big one. Athens Twilight. I wanted to race patiently as the race was long. At around a third of the way in I escaped the bunch, bridging to a solo rider up the road. We connected and started working well. Two from Ribble joined us before a big crash threw the race into utter chaos and confusion. We were neutralized, stopped, and eventually restarted with two extra riders who hadn’t actually made the bridge to us yet. WTF, American crit racing is crazy like that - rules are loose.
In the finale, Robin Carpenter from Legion attacked with just over 5 laps to go. We kept him close, me waiting patiently to jump across. I knew I could snap to him. With just over 2 to go I made my move. I caught him but immediately over the top went Gibbons, who was fresh and hadn’t raced the last two nights. That was it. He timed things perfectly. We raced for second and with the balanced focus on gravel events this year my sprint can’t match that of my breakaway companions. I finished 5th.
Sunday was a boring Peachtree Corners parking lot crit. I made the break again, but the night before was a big effort and I didn’t have the push. I rolled across the line at the back of the break, ready for a rest day.
It’s been wild racing independently. I am more than happy with the results I’ve snagged this past week. I am fighting guys on my own, with entire professional teams not able to hang in the moves that I am driving. I’m the most consistent rider in the entire series. No teammates, no leadouts- just a small support crew of friends and family with my passion for racing. This is the most empowered I have felt in my entire life and it feels like the world is taking notice.
Excited to keep things rolling tonight (Tuesday) at Union City and this weekend at Hapeville, LaGrange, and College Park.
Thank you all for the messages and support. I really enjoy everyone coming by the tent for a thumbs up and everyone watching at home!
Happy Riding,
MG