Chicago, Ill. – Capitalizing on the strength of 11 top-ten finishes, Chicago’s XXX Racing-AthletiCo cycling program emerged victorious in the World Bicycle Relief Team Challenge on Sunday, April 6, at the inaugural Burnham Racing Spring Super Criterium in South Beloit, Ill. In honor of its Team Challenge crown, XXX Racing-AthletiCo will have a donation of $220 made in its name to World Bicycle Relief.
“We are thrilled to recognize XXX Racing-AthletiCo by making a contribution to such a worthy cause in their name,” said Eric Goodwin, President of Burnham Racing. “From top to bottom, they are one of the most well-rounded teams in the region, if not the country. They have a substantial presence at all of the local races, so it is our hope that they will go forward as positive ambassadors of World Bicycle Relief.”
Sunday’s Burnham Racing Spring Super Criterium was a USA Cycling-sanctioned bike race that took place at South Beloit’s Blackhawk Farms Raceway. Race organizers, which included Chicago’s vitaminwater-Trek Cycling Team, used the Criterium as a backdrop to increase visibility for World Bicycle Relief. An Illinois-based 501(c)(3) organization, World Bicycle Relief strives to empower individuals, their families, and their communities in disaster and poverty-stricken countries through the power of bicycles.
“The Team Challenge was a great way to raise awareness for World Bicycle Relief,” said Chris Strout, Communications Manager for World Bicycle Relief. “Simple, unique ideas like this are often the best way to reach out to new supporters, and by all accounts the racers were enthusiastic about spreading The Power of Bicycles through their riding. It's exciting to see what a difference it will make in the lives of the people we serve.”
Although they did not record an individual victory on the day, XXX Racing-AthletiCo notched top-ten finishes in seven of the day’s ten races to rack up 124.5 Team Challenge points, including key finishes by Tamara Fraser in both women’s races and by Peter Stritmatter in the men’s category 4/5 event. The Chicago Cuttin’ Crew, an upstart program which shares bike messenger roots with XXX Racing, turned heads with its 98.5-point, second-place performance on Sunday. The Cuttin’ Crew had two podium finishes, highlighted by a remarkable showing in the men’s category 5 event in which they took four of the top five placings. Final results and standings can be found on the Spring Super Criterium home page.
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