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A Look Inside Litespeed
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Get To Know Astellas Cycling Team... Brandon Feehery
New for 2014, we are proud to sponsor Astellas Cycling in the team's first year as domestic professionals. Get to know the team:
Name: Brandon FeeheryAge: 21
Hometown: Homewood, IL
When/Why did you start cycling?
When I was 10 years old. Growing up I always went to my dad’s races and I wanted to be like him so when I turned 10 I got a road bike and started racing.
What do you like about cycling?
Traveling to new places to ride and race my bike and being able to push my body further then it has ever gone before.
What do you not like?
Crashing, but that comes with the sport whether you like it or not.
What do you do outside of cycling? Jobs, hobbies, family?
I like to play ice hockey and hang out with family and friends.
When did you start riding with Astellas?
2012
How do you feel about becoming a Professional domestic team this year?
This is a new opportunity for me and I am extremely excited to be racing for Astellas again this year.
What type of racing is your “specialty?”
Criterium racing.
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What races are you excited for this year?
All the races, especially USA Cycling Professional Road National Championships and U23 Nationals.
What bike will you be riding this year?
LITESPEED L1R
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2014 Litespeed T1
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Many consider the T1, formerly the Archon, the most technologically advanced metal bike ever created. We made the frame with a proprietary blend of 6/4 and 3/2.5 titanium and included features such as a PF30 bottom bracket and an oversized head tube for increased fork-tuning capabilities and precise handling. Our craftsman formed the elegant and functional top tube from a sheet of titanium into a 6-sided tube. We used oversized, shape-specific tube designs that result in a stiffer, yet more compliant, ride. Last but not least, our triple-butted chain stays are the pinnacle of thoughtful design. Our ingenious design and careful craft have resulted in a ride quality and responsiveness worthy of the prestigious Eurobike Design Award.The T1 features:
A premium 6Al/4V radically shaped top tube shaped for maximum stiffness and our proprietary WRAP Technology at head tube/top tube junction for increased stiffness.
An oversized 44mm head tube and PF30 BB technology.
An asymmetric, triple-butted chain stay
And is handmade in the USA with T1 technology
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Get To Know Astellas Cycling Team... Clay Murfet
Name: Clay Murfet
Age: 25
Hometown: Launceston, Tasmania
When and why did you start cycling?
2001, my brother was racing on the velodrome and I loved the look of it so I jumped on and had a try.
What do you like about cycling?
I love the adrenaline of racing and training aspect of it. Training so hard and pushing your body to its limits and reaping the rewards. Cycling rewards those who work the hardest.
What do you not like?
Crashing.
What do you do outside of cycling? Jobs, hobbies, family? I spend a lot of my time with my friends at the beach. Fishing, camping and hunting. Also as much time with my 5 year old nephew. I am his favorite Uncle! (and his only)
When did you start riding with Astellas?
2014
How do you feel about becoming a Professional domestic team this year?
It is going to be a great year for the team. This will be my 5th year as a pro and every year it gets more exciting.
What type of racing is your “specialty?”
I would consider myself an All Arounder. The harder the race the better. Races of attrition.
What races are you excited for this year?
Redlands, Joe Martin, Gila, Philly, Beauce and our European stint.
What bike will you be riding this year? Litespeed L1R
Anything else? Tips, tricks, advice?
Advice to youngsters would be to just enjoy it and have fun until you get to about 18-19 and then decide if you love it enough to make a career out of it. I see it too many times, really talented juniors get too serious too early and get burnt out and give up before they reach their 20s.
Be sure to follow @astellascycling and @ClayMurfet on Twitter
Be sure to follow @astellascycling and @ClayMurfet on Twitter
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Chris Brown at the 2014 Scenic City Half-Marathon
Last Saturday, February 22, Litespeed employee and Litespeed-BMW rider Chris Brown made his half-marathon debut at the Scenic City Half Marathon. His time of 1:24:52, 6:29 pace for 13.1 miles, earned him an age-group victory and placed him 11th overall.
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The race, which started and ended at the 50 yard line on Davenport Field at Finley Stadium in Chattanooga, had been designated as the Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) State Championship Event for Tennessee, and was put on by the Chattanooga Track Club.
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A Litespeed C3 road bike, offered as a raffle prize, was won by Laura Pitman.
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A Litespeed C3 road bike, offered as a raffle prize, was won by Laura Pitman.
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2014 Litespeed M3
quality, the M3 stacks an incredible value-add feature and component set onto an elite unidirectional monocoque 24T carbon frame.
Frame technology includes a box-section profile at the oversized PF30 bottom bracket to ensure optimum power transfer, while the unique design of the downtube improves aerodynamics for decreased drag and further improved performance. The tapered headtube provides precise handling and front end stiffness. Fun and fast for a solid day of racing or training, our M3 is ready to take anything your next ride can throw at them.
Fans of the Litespeed brand will also recognize a familiar attention to detail in both frame geometry and overall build specificiations, including the Shimano 105 drivetrain and an aero-shaped down tube design. Unlike any off-the-shelf bike from the mass-market manufacturers, the M3 arrives with both classic Litespeed styling and proven ride-quality derived from decades of thoughtful and innovative bicycle design.
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Get to Know Astellas Cycling Team... Michael Pincus
New for 2014, we are proud to sponsor Astellas Cycling in the team's first year as domestic professionals. Get to know the team:
Name: Michael Pincus
Age: 20
Hometown: Pearland Texas
When did you start cycling?
I started racing in 2007. I was a cross-country runner before I started racing. My dad has already been cyclist for a few years and I decided to give it a try. Since then I have been hooked.
What do you like about cycling?
The places you see, the people you meet, the style of competition.
What do you not like?
It can be expensive. Sharing the road day in and day out with bad drivers can be a worry.
What do you do outside of cycling? Jobs, hobbies, family?
Right now I am a full time electrical engineering student at the University of Houston. Between studying, racing, and training I like to be with my friends as much as possible.
When did you start riding with Astellas?
This is going to be my first season with the team, 2014.
How do you feel about becoming a Professional domestic team this year?
It is really exciting, I know that great opportunities will come from being a domestic professional team and I want to make the most out of it.
What type of racing is your “specialty?”
Long hard races that typically come down to a small group, stage races, and wet criteriums.
What races are you excited for this year? I am excited for all the races right now. Majority of the calendar are new races I have yet to do. I know from past experiences that Tulsa Tough will be a blast.
What bike will you be riding this year?
Litespeed T1
Anything else? Tips, tricks, advice?
Stay in school, take opportunities that are presented to you, and have as much fun as possible.
Don't forget to follow @astellascycling and @Pincus1 on Twitter, and check out Michael's blog.
Don't forget to follow @astellascycling and @Pincus1 on Twitter, and check out Michael's blog.
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2014 Litespeed L1
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Our long history of material knowledge and expertise has been meshed with fresh frame and bottom bracket technology to create the 2014 L1. Indeed, over four years of development have gone into designing this unique elite, UCI-approved racing bicycle..jpg)
The 2014 L1 is loaded with the same frameset features as the L-series flagship, the L1R. Light, stiff, and performance-ready, no detail was overlooked in the engineering of this model. The L1’s state-of-the-art feature set includes our own Reactive Pressure Molding Construction, BB386 EVO technology- a wide-bearing BB30 system- and a barely UCI -legal 1.125” x 1.5” tapered steerer fork, plus an overall attention to detail and asymmetric design feature set simply not available on other comparable pro-grade bikes.
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Multiple asymmetric, shape-specific design features increase performance and enhance stability. At thefront of the frame our proprietary Quadrilateral System creates a box shape that resists braking forces and flex to manage the simultaneous torsional-frontal and lateral-load input from both road and rider. The asymmetric down tube/seat tube junction provides a balanced, efficient drivetrain power transfer. And, overall larger diameter tubing used in the chain stays, seat tube, and down tube means less flex in the bottom bracket area for maximum power transfer to the pedals.
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Get To Know Astellas Cycling Team... Hogan Sills
New for 2014, we are proud to sponsor Astellas Cycling in the team's first year as domestic professionals. Get to know the team: Name: Hogan Sills
Age: 24 (in May)
Hometown: Champaign, IL
How did you start cycling?
My dad raced as a junior when he was in high school. He picked up racing again about ten years ago, and I started riding and training with him then. After my first race at the age of 15, I was hooked.
What do you like about cycling?
I love the speed, tactics, and the journey of training.
What do you not like?
Of course, I don’t like to crash. Also, I wish cycling would take off more in the U.S. so riders would be supported more to focus on training and racing.What do you do outside of cycling? Jobs, hobbies, family?
I like to snow ski, fish, and do anything outdoors. I also have a degree in civil engineering from Purdue.
When did you start riding with Astellas?
I rode for Astellas two years ago. Last year I moved to a smaller team, but I am excited to be back now.
How do you feel about becoming a Professional domestic team this year?
It’s very exciting. I always dreamed of riding professionally as a kid and even at a young age I trained hard for this. I’m more motivated than I’ve ever been, and I realize that just because I’m a Pro now, doesn’t make me magically faster. I have to train that much more.
What type of racing is your “specialty?”
I’ve always had a good sprint, so criteriums are my specialty. I also tend to do well on hilly road courses.
What races are you excited for this year?
I’m most excited for the North Star Grand Prix, the USPRO National Road Race, and the USPRO National Criterium.
What bike will you be riding this year?
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The L1R.Anything else? Tips, tricks, advice?
My philosophy for chasing the Pro dream was to never put all my eggs in one basket. A college degree is the most important investment for your career (probably not cycling), so I always put that first, and then trained for cycling in my free time. It works if you make a schedule and stick to it. There’s a lot of life after cycling, so don’t forget about that in your pursuit of going Pro.
Check out Hogan's blog "Hogan's Heroes" and follow Hogan on Twitter at @hogansills, and don't forget to follow @astellascycling on Twitter and "like"Astellas Cycling on Facebook.
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2014 Litespeed C3
The shrouded water bottle mount on the down tube makes that necessary cargo almost invisible to the wind and the aero tuned downtube morphs every millimeter for maximum aerodynamics. Aero seat stays decrease aerodynamic resistance while adding stability and comfort and a tapered fork with our unique bowed design helps absorb turbulent shock and allows air to zip through for a smooth ride. Our engineers used variable-size tubes for all of the aerodynamic elements in order to maximize performance across the bike's size range.
Our Reactive Pressure Molding (RPM) precisely controls the internal structure and wall thickness of the carbon frame during the manufacturing process; this allows us to use design elements far beyond what can be achieved with conventional bladder molding. The result is a lighter, stiffer, faster bike with incorporated aerodynamic elements without the added weight of filler materials.
The minuscule drag penalty of the external cable routing is far outweighed by the weight saving and
ease of maintenance that the design represents. Not to worry, though. The other C-Series models do come with internal cable routing.
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Get to Know Astellas Cycling Team... Thomas Brown
New for 2014, we are proud to sponsor Astellas Cycling in the team's first year as domestic professionals. Get to know the team:
Name: Thomas Brown
Age: 27
Hometown: Athens, Georgia
How did you start cycling?
I got into cycling in third grade after seeing the Olympic road race in Atlanta. After that my friends and I would ride mountain bikes around all day jumping off of everything. The mountain bike phase lasted four or five years. I got a road bike around middle school and have been doing it ever since then.
What do you like about cycling?
I like the sensation above all else. Cycling gives me a feeling in my body, mind, and soul that I cannot replicate with anything else. Cycling gives me incredible happiness in how it allows me to explore new places, roads, and see the world.
What do you not like?
While I love traveling for races, I really enjoy being home in Athens sleeping in my own bed and cooking in the kitchen.
What do you do outside of cycling? Jobs, hobbies, family?
Besides cycling, I am also finishing my graduate degree in Public Health this spring. I deeply believe in education and that I will be able to combine my experiences with cycling into a life long career in Public Health inspiring people to live healthier and happier. Besides that, I just got married in January. My wife is also a professional cyclist and we often train together.
When did you start riding with Astellas?
This is my first year with Astellas. I was with SmartStop-Mountain Khakis for four years before this and Jittery Joes before that.
I’m excited to be involved in a new program and hope to use my experience from other years to have fun, get results, and be a part of a cohesive team.
What type of racing is your “specialty?”
I definitely have become more focused on criterium racing in the past couple years. It suits my characteristics and I know the races well.
What races are you excited for this year?
Living in Athens Georgia, I cannot help but get excited for Athens Twilight. This coming year will be the 10th time I’ve raced it. The atmosphere at the race is like no other race on the circuit and I totally love it.
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What bike will you be riding this year?
I will be on a Litespeed L1R. I’m really excited about the bike. Growing up in the Southeast, Litespeed was always a major player in the local scene. I’m happy to finally get aboard one!
Anything else? Tips, tricks, advice?
My major tip is to keep everything in your life in balance. Don’t stress about the small things and just relax in general.
Be sure to follow Thomas Brown on Twiter @tominimo, and follow the Astellas Team @astellascycling
Be sure to follow Thomas Brown on Twiter @tominimo, and follow the Astellas Team @astellascycling
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2014 Litespeed T3
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Oversized 44mm headtube and PF30 BB technology with an ovalized seat tube/down tube junction for drivetrain stiffness and power transfer
Tapered, shaped, oversized 3Al/2.5V tubing with performance-fit road geometry
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Get to Know Astellas Cycling Team... Brecht Dhaene
Name: Brecht Dhaene
Age: 25
Hometown: Ghent, Belgium
When did you start cycling?
When I was 12 years old
What do you like about cycling?
The tactics, the mental and physical war in the race, the taste of victory, seeing all those beautiful places all around the world… I really enjoy cycling in every possible way
What do you not like?
Being not able to ride for whatsoever reason
What do you do outside of cycling? Jobs, hobbies, family?
I have done a master in European Politics and I am now doing a second master in Management at Belgian universities.
I also enjoy going out for dinner with my girlfriend
When did you start riding with Astellas?
2014 will be my first year in an Astellas racing jersey.
How do you feel about becoming a Professional domestic team this year?
It’s very exiting! I am really looking forward to do the USA/North-American racing calendar!
What type of racing is your “specialty?”
I prefer climbs up to 8km and arrivals uphill. When it is been a hard racing, pushing the riders to their limits I’m at my best.What races are you excited for this year?
The North American (UCI) stage races will be my prior goals, such as Joe Martin, Tour of the Gila, Grand Prix Cycliste de Saguenay, Tour de Beauce.
What bike will you be riding this year?
Litespeed!
Anything else? Tips, tricks, advice?
It never gets easier, you just go faster. (Greg Lemond)
You can follow Brecht on Twitter @BrechtDhaene and be sure to follow @astellascycling
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2014 Litespeed Sewanee
The Sewanee represents a new development in full suspension cross country race bikes. Perfect for your next XC race - 90mm of rear end travel, cold-worked 3Al/2.5V titanium frame, the ultimate combination of durability and weight savings - the Sewanee features a CLR suspension design that allows for constant acceleration and nimble handling even in the most challenging terrain. MultiWheel Compatible (MWC) design-optimized for 27.5 inch wheels, yet still compatible with 26 inch wheels via an eccentric BB. Precise feedback and direction from professional mountain bike racers and teams have allowed us to further improve upon an already solid design.
Handmade in the USA
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MWC optimized for 27.5" (650B) wheels; also compatible with 26"
and replaceable aluminum rear drop out
XC geometry optimized for 80-100 mm forks
CLR Balanced Ratio Suspension with titanium rocker for 90 mm vertical rear wheel travel
Available in sizes S, M, and L
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Get To Know Astellas Cycling Team... Max Korus
New for 2014, we are proud to sponsor Astellas Cycling in the team's first year as domestic professionals. Get to know the team:
Name: Max KorusAge: 25
Hometown: Elkins Park, Pa
When did you start cycling?
I began cycling competitively in 2010. I was a walk on to the track team at the University of Pennsylvania, but I suffered repeated stress fractures in both of my feet. My roommate at the time was the president of the cycling club and he suggested I give the sport a try.
What do you like about cycling?
I enjoy the competition and the camaraderie.
What do you do outside of cycling? Jobs, hobbies, family?
In the offseason I work odd jobs, ranging from construction to college admissions consulting. I ski and surf when I have the chance.
When did you start riding with Astellas?
This will be my second season with the team (I joined in 2013).
How do you feel about becoming a Professional domestic team this year?
I’m very excited about it. I think the team will have a lot of great opportunities.
What type of racing is your “specialty?”
Time Trial/ All around.
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What races are you excited for this year?
I’m really looking forward to just about every race the team has on the schedule. If I had to single one out, it would be the Tour de Beauce.
What bike will you be riding this year?
T1
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2014 Litespeed Li2
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An example of trickle-down technology, the Li2 features the same frame technology as the L1R, only in 30t carbon. Combine our premier frame technology with a top-of-the-line spec that includes Ultegra Di2 components ad Reynolds Assault aero wheels, and the conversation is over before it even began.
The BB386 bottom bracket design not only provides increased stiffness and performance, but the larger bottom bracket size allows us to incorporate larger diameter tubing. The result is maximum power transfer. To take advantage of this, our proprietary Quadrilateral System creates a box shape to minimize frame flex while braking and power sprinting. Combine this with the reactive and precise, yet stiff, 1.125'X1.5' tapered steerer fork, and you have a bike that is begging to go fast.
Our design team continues to look for ways to include top-of-the-line, performance-enhancing technology into our frames, always striving to build the perfect ride. The 2014 Li2 offers a perfect example of our ability to help set the de facto cycling industry standards in the course of in-house applied, practical design.
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Get to Know Astellas Cycling Team... Chris Uberti
New for 2014, we are proud to sponsor Astellas Cycling in the team's first year as domestic professionals. Get to know the team:
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Name: Chris Uberti
Age: 26
Hometown: Northville, MI
When did you start cycling?
I started riding Mountain Bikes with my Dad in Middle School. I wore baggy pants and was into free-riding, and also thought that all the roadies with their shaved legs and tights were lame.
What do you like about cycling?
I love how it can be whatever you want it to be. For myself cycling has been a job, a form of transportation, a community, and a vehicle for exploration.
What do you not like?
The off season.
What do you do outside of cycling? Jobs, hobbies, family?
Before I turned pro I was an Aerospace Engineer designing turbine components for aircraft engines and other turbomachinery. Currently I mostly ride bikes and brew my own beer.
When did you start riding with Astellas?
2014 Is my first year with the team.
How do you feel about becoming a Professional domestic team this year?
I turned Pro last year with Smart Stop. I felt like I learned a lot last year and am ready to apply my new skills to the 2014 season.
What type of racing is your “specialty?”
Lumpy road races, or Hilly Crits. I love tough races….except for ones that require you to have a body fat % below 10...I love pop-tarts too much for anything like that.
What races are you excited for this year?
The US National Championship is a very cool race to be a part of. Also the Winston-Salem UCI race. By far the hardest road course I did last year, I got 2nd with my teammate winning the race. It’ll be incredibly tough with a better field in 2014.
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What bike will you be riding this year?
Anything else? Tips, tricks, advice?
Ride slow. There’s too much stuff to enjoy in the world. If you’re plugged into music, have your head down, and crushing some interval, you’re going to miss out on some of the best aspects of riding.
Be sure to check out Chris Uberti's blog Rockets to Sprockets and follow him on Twitter @cuberti. And don't forget to check out the new Astellas Cycling website!
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Astellas Cycling: Redlands Classic 2014
Redlands Bicycle Classic 2014
From April 2 to April 6, Astellas Cycling competed at the Redlands Bicycle Classic, the longest running stage race in American history. Held in Redlands, California, the race consisted of five stages: a 59-mile Circuit Race, an uphill 7.8-mile TT, a 120-mile Road Race, a 90-minute Timed Criterium, and a 94-mile road race.
Stage 1- Circuit Race
Sign-in for Stage 1 of Redlands Bicycle Classic
Brecht Dhaene placed 8th in the field on Stage 1, Cortlan Brown 15 seconds back, Jake Rytlewski, Matt Green, Max Korus, and Ryan Aitcheson, 20 seconds back, and Andrew Baker 51 seconds back. As a team, Astellas finished 9th overall.
Stage 2- TT
Andy Baker was first off for the team
Next for Astellas was Ryan Aitcheson
Followed by Max Korus
Matt Green ready to go
Last rider for Astellas was Brecht Dhaene
Andrew Baker was the top man for Astellas on Stage 2, finishing in the top 25,
Astellas Cycling as a team 10th overall.
Astellas Cycling as a team 10th overall.
Stage 3- Road Race
Brecht Dhaene took 6th in a field sprint, while Matt Green, Jake Rytlewski, Andrew Baker, Cortlan Brown all finished 20 seconds behind the leader. As a team, Astellas was in 12th overall.
Stage 4- Timed Criterium
At the start of the 90-minute timed criterium.
Max Korus was part of a breakaway that led the field for a large part of the race.
The wonderful hosts for Astellas Cycling Team.
Ultimately, Max Korus finished 5th overall in the crit, with Brecht Dhaene, Jake Rytlewski, Cortlan Brown, Andrew Baker, and Matt Green right behind.The team finished 4th overall for Stage 4.
Stage 5- Road Race, Final Results
Jake Rytlewski was the top Astellas rider on Stage 5, finishing 17th overall.
At the end of five days, Astellas Cycling Team placed 7th overall. Can't wait to see what's to come! Next race on the Astellas calendar is the Charlotte-Belmont Omnium.
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Race Recap: 2014 Sunny King Crit
2014 Sunny King Criterium
Just as Stage 4 of the Redlands Bicycle Classic was coming to a close, the 2014 Sunny King Criterium was just getting started. As with the Redlands Classic, we had two teams riding Litespeed bikes in the Pro category: Astellas Cycling and Seasucker-Guttenplan. The race was exciting right from the start, as Astellas rider Chris Uberti did not hesitate to push the pace and ride off the front. Ultimately, though, David Guttenplan was able to set himself up for the sprint finish, coming in with an exciting 3rd place overall, while Astellas managed to place 4 guys in the top 25: Thomas Brown, Brandon Feehery, Hogan Sills, and Chris Uberti.Pre-race shenanigans from Astellas Cycling, getting ready for Sunny King
David Guttenplan got some air time on the live feed
David right after an exciting sprint to the finish
Guttenplan on the podium. Wasn't the first time, definitely won't be the last.
Sunny King race-recap from Astellas rider Chris Uberti
Full race-replay, full results here
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2014 Litespeed M1
With a new frame design for 2014, the redesigned M1 arrives complete with full Shimano 105 components, Easton bar, stem seatpost and Shimano R-500 wheelset. The elite unidirectional monocoque 24T carbon frame is loaded with features not normally found at this price point.
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New frame technology includes a box-section profile at the oversized PF30 BB to ensure optimum power transfer, while the unique design of the downtube improves aerodynamics for decreased drag and further improved stiffness.
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The new, tapered headtube provides precise handling and front end stiffness. Fun and fast for a solid day of racing or training, this bike is ready to take what the road throws at it.
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Our carbon bikes are loaded with cutting edge technology and great component sets to provide a responsive, stiff, smooth and modern ride. The M1 offers the Litespeed badge and heritage, plus a bit of technology from both the C & L Series, at more aggressive price point.
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