Air Force participates in pro cycling event

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Monique Randolph
  • Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs
ARLINGTON, Va. (AFPN) --  The U.S. Air Force Cycling Classic sped off to a start with more than 300 amateur and professional cyclists against a backdrop of the Air Force Memorial and the Washington Monument May 4 here.

This was the second year the Air Force hosted the event, formerly the Crystal City Classic, as part of service officials' efforts to build a signature sports event in the Washington, D.C., area.

"Just like the Marine Corps Marathon and the Army 10K, (events) like this reach out to the community and let them see their services," said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley. "The cycling event is a vehicle to get to the greater good, (and) have some fun on a beautiful day here in the Capitol."

Proceeds from the Cycling Classic will benefit servicemembers who sustained traumatic brain injuries while serving in the military.

"There are many people out there in harm's way," said Gen. Duncan J. McNabb, the vice chief of staff of the Air Force. "These Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen ... are ready to do what they've promised to the nation. This (event) is a way of saying not only do we thank you, but also we appreciate what you do and we'll do whatever we can to make sure we take care of you. I think this race, in particular, really captures that."

The event included an amateur participatory ride which was open to cyclists of all abilities, a professional men's 150K race, and the "Academy Shootout," featuring teams from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md., and U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colo. Service academy teams competed in a team time trial for two laps of the 12.5 kilometer course, as well as a sprint competition later in the day.

"This is more than a little competition," said Bill Anderson, the assistant secretary of the Air Force for installations, environment and logistics, and a participant in the cycling event. "These three academies have come here to do battle. We've got 15 members from each of the academies. They're intense. I think it'll do great for competition between the academies and also drive some camaraderie. The (cadets) are strong, focused, and they are very, very fast."

While the Air Force team won the timed trials, the Navy cadets garnered the most total points and winning the day's event overall.

"I think the cycling classic is a great opportunity to get the academies together," General Moseley said. "We do a lot together in the real world, we do a lot together in combat, and we work together as a joint team. The academies have a lot of athletic interface, and what a treat it is at the Air Force Classic to (compete against the other academies' cycling teams). I think it's just indicative of the close cooperation and partnership we have across the board." 

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