Rock and roll - Rapha comp winner rides his way, with a new bike

By Gerard Knapp

After over 6000 entries in the Cyclingnews-Rapha competition, we have a winner, and it is a 45 year-old father of four, Craig Stowell, from the city of Romansville in Pennsylvania, USA.

Thanks to our friends at Rapha, the leading UK-based cycling clothing company, Craig has won a full outfit of team kit plus the official team bike of the British Rapha-Condor-Recycling racing team, valued at over US$5600.

The bike is the 'Team Leggero', a bespoke carbon frame featuring hand-cut tubes, rear-ends and carbon lugs, hand-made to Condor's unique specifications and is built up with tubing from the highly respected Italian company Dedacciai. It also features a full Dura-Ace groupset (including Dura-Ace wheels) and components from Deda Elementi, Fizik and Continental.

Craig has also secured a full set of Rapha's high-end cycling clothing, including a pair of bib-knicks, a short-sleeve jersey, a jacket and cap, which we're sure he'll put to good use over the summer.

As for Craig, he told us he, "loves to run and bike. I do not cycle with a club, I prefer to ride alone". Craig has competed in both short and long distance duathalons and his love of cycling began in 1987.

"For no good reason, I bought a mountain bike, began riding, then realised I was not around many mountain paths. I soon after purchased my good road bike. That was it, I was hooked," he said. "I would consider myself a 'soul rider'. I compete – well, I try – but I love to ride, think, push, smell, see sights, and just speed through the open roads. You won't find me in the top 10 percent of races, or on the cover of any magazines, but you may find me cruising the roads of Chester County with a smile on my face, and talking myself through l'Alpe d'Huez... "

That's when he's not singing Aerosmith tunes because the question needs to be asked, where did he get that jersey? Rock and roll!

"I love the sport, I love the equipment, I love the clothes, I follow all the races, and believe in one thing – keep riding," Craig added.

Once again, thanks to everyone who entered and our friends at Rapha for providing such awesome prizes. If you missed out on this competition, fear not, because Cyclingnews will be offering another great new competition next month, just in time for Le Tour.

(Additional editorial assistance provided by Susan Westemeyer.)