Crit racers return to Arlington for Crystal City Classic

The battle to win the first-ever Crystal City Classic presented by the US Air Force will unfold on Saturday, June 16 in Arlington, Virginia. The featured men's pro race will speed through the streets of Arlington's Crystal City neighborhood following an Air Force fly-over and a parade lap past the new US Air Force Memorial. The race is part of the National Racing Calendar (NRC).

Among the favorites to make the podium will be the 2006 USPRO Criterium Champion, Hilton Clark (Navigators), who had a third place podium finish two weeks ago at the CSC Invitational, also held in Arlington. Virtually unbeatable in the second half of last season, Clarke and his teammates dominated the criterium circuit, winning four of the biggest one-day criterium events in North America. Nine-time Argentinean National Champion, Sebastian Alexandre, will help lead team Rite Aid's campaign. He will be joined in this effort by teammate and top sprinter, Alejandro Borrajo, whose resume includes seven top-ten finishes at the prestigious Giro d'Italia.

The women's race will feature three-time CSC Invitational Champion, Laura Van Gilder from the Cheerwine team. This decorated rider's most recent win at that Arlington race two weeks ago over Rebecca Larson (Aaron's Corporate Furnishings) came in a photo finish.

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Race day will bring amateur racing, a celebrity trike race, and a kids' race. The elite women start at 12:30 pm followed by the elite men at 2:00 pm. Spectators can catch the action from the sidelines while experiencing some of the Crystal City's most noteworthy restaurants and cafes.