Florenz Knauer wins Belmont USA Crit

2 years ago Team Stradalli won the Belmont USA crit with our Cuban champion Ruben Companioni and tonight we won it again with our German racer Florenz Knauer , congrats to two amazing cyclist and great guys

 #stradallifamily@stradalli_cycle @stradallicycle@safettiusa @belmondcrit @usacrits #fsa#stradalli #bike #safetti #metrx@officialmetrx @prologo.official@fsa_road #fsa #stradallicycle #critlife #crit#critracing #fun @rubencompanioni@florenz89

Solid Day For Stradalli – Safetti Pro Race Team At St. Petersburg Bay Front Criterium

The Stradalli – Safetti pro race team entered the Sunshine Grand Prix St. Petersburg Bay Front Criterium as part of the USA Crits Series, facing off against tough competition this Easter weekend. Former Slovenian cycling champion Aldo Ino Ilesic won the race, 2 time defending USA Crits Champion Dan Holloway finished 2^nd. Travis McCabe of team Holowesko – Citadel came in 3^rd and former Stradalli Cycle racer Ruben Companioni came in 4^th.

Despite the stacked field Stradalli – Safetti turned in a solid outing with Jose Frank Rodriguez finishing the race in 8^th and Alex Mclaughlin and Kiko Karen finishing the super fast race in the top 20. Kiko was able to recover after a crash earlier in the race to round out a solid day for the race team. 

The Sunshine Grand Prix and the beginning of the USA Criterium Series

The Sunshine Grand Prix and the beginning of the USA Criterium Series kicked off this past weekend. Several teams riding Stradalli Cycles found themselves at the front of the action and on the podium this weekend in Tampa, Florida. Hundreds of the best racers from all over the United States traveled to Florida this weekend for the start of the 4 day race omnium.

Ruben Companioni, former Stradalli – Safetti racer and family friend, won Saturday evening’s Criterium ahead of Holowesko – Citadel presented by Hincapie and Astellas Professional Cycling Team. Over 80 racers started the professional race and riders from multiple teams riding Stradalli Cycles took top spots in the finish.

Finish Strong Cycling Team, a new partner of Stradalli Cycle for 2016, took the sprint points jersey after two days of racing in the Sunshine Grand Prix while taking many top placings in the process. Finish Strong presented by Stradalli Cycle is targeting all the top level national races on the calendar in 2016. Last year Finish Strong took the overall title and many podium spots in the USA Criterium Series last year. This weekend began their defense of the best overall team title in the USA Criterium Series.

Stradalli – Safetti Cycling Team put new rider Enrique Lopez on the podium of Stage 2 of the Sunshine Grand Prix after 60 miles of fast racing. This is a great result for the Stradalli – Safetti team against the some of the best riders the United States has to offer.

Stradalli Cycle – Papa John’s Women’s Elite Team got on the podium on in the first USA Criterium Series of the year on Saturday against a very competitive professional field of elite racers. This weekend was the first test at high level racing for the new women’s outfit and they took high placings in both races and took the sprint points leader’s jersey.

Wizard Development Team presented by Stradalli Cycle was also in attendance this weekend at the Sunshine Grand Prix. The development team has been taking top placings at the regional level all year and capitalized on those results with a strong 10^th place finish from young rider Justin Pfaff. Pfaff recently returned from a stint in California where he took his Stradalli R7 to San Francisco, California for training and topped off his time there with the Chico Stage Race.

Texas Roadhouse also had a successful weekend with races in Tampa, Florida, St. Louis, Missouri and Tennessee. Texas Roadhouse has been a successful elite cycling team for many years and is already continuing that trend in 2016.

The Sunshine Grand Prix and USA Criterium Series will continue next weekend in Clearwater, Florida.

Last night the team went to the last training race with community members from the South Florida area to get ready for Sunshine Grand Prix .

The goal for the team was to get a great workout, but also mentally prepare for the beginning of the Sunshine Grand Prix in Tampa, Florida this coming weekend. This weekend marks the beginning of the 2016 USA Criterium series, the top criterium series in the United States which attracts 100’s of teams from all over the United States.

Stradalli – Safetti in 2015 placed second overall in the team competition and second in the individual standings with Ruben Companioni and took many podiums over the course of the season. The racing schedule took the team from Florida all around America and Canada for a fun successful criterium racing pro series.

This year Stradalli Cycle – Safetti team will be in attendance with several top teams in the United States. Stradalli is now the official sponsor for Team Finish Strong, the team which placed first in the overall team competition in 2015. Stradalli Cycle is continuing its relationship with Texas Roadhouse in 2016, another top level team which frequents National Criterium Calendar and USA Criterium Series races.

Ruben Companioni Leaving Stradalli-Safetti For 2016 Season

Stradalli-Safetti, US based pro men’s criterium team, has granted Ruben Companioni a release from his contract to join Jamis Professional Cycling Team for the 2016 season.

Companioni was under contract for 2016 but Stradalli-Safetti decided for Companioni’s career, the best thing would be a change of focus. There was interest in Companioni joining the newly formed Stradalli-Bike Aid Germany Continental cycling team but the level of racing in Europe is a huge step up, not necessarily the step up Companioni is looking for at this time.

Stradalli Cycle CEO Tom Steinbacher said Companioni is still and always will be a part of the Stradalli family, but Jamis was the better fit for him for 2016 and wanted him to race road not just

criteriums. “Ruben is a great criterium racer, but he is an even better road racer. He has been great for our team, but I want him to be in the best possible situation for next year.

Stradalli Cycle currently sponsors several teams around the world including a European Continental Team, a United States Professional Criterium Team, a Women’s Domestic Elite Team (with Papa John’s), and a junior development team(Wizard Racing Development Team). Stradalli Cycle uses all its avenues to develop riders and bring them to the next level which is what attracted them to Bike Aid in the first place.

Bike Aid most recently brought African rider Mekseb Debesay into the international scene and helped him to elevate his career. It was recently announced that Debesay will move on to Team Dimension Data to ride along side Mark Cavendish in the UCI World Tour. Stradalli-Bike Aid has two U23 stagiaire roles left to fill for 2016.

Stradalli-Safetti will continue its focus on United States criterium racing in 2016 while Stradalli-Bike Aid will compete at the top level road races in Europe. For Companioni, a United States based road racing team will allow him to continue his progress and will allow him to stay close to family as well.

“Stradalli is my family and without them I wouldn’t have all these wonderful kinds of opportunities. I also have my family here in Miami to care for first and foremost. With Jamis I can travel to the biggest races and have the best opportunities, but still be close to home and my friends.” Companioni said.

“Stradalli-Safetti is all about opportunity and giving young racers the chance to reach their dreams. We keep a tight family here because that is the best environment for racers to develop. Ruben had great success with us and he will have great success with Jamis. Now another up and coming racer will have the opportunity to race for Stradalli-Safetti. In a year or so, if Ruben keeps developing the way he has, then maybe we will talk about bringing him to our European team. For now, we wish him the best of luck in 2016 and always will stay in close contact.” Steinbacher said.

Stradalli Cycle Pro Team Shows Toughness on West Coast Trip

It didn't go as planned. It was close and the Stradalli Cycle pro race team was so close to making a huge statement. The entire team was racing strong at the San Rafael Sunset Criterium but then the big crash happened which took out 2 Stradalli Cycle racers including USA Crits Leader Ruben Companioni. While the racers are fine the crash did manage to knock Ruben out of the overall points lead.

"Ruben and Jose are ok, it was a bad crash and I'm just glad they weren't hurt. It's a tough break but that's cycling. The same thing just happened in the Tour De France when Nairo Quintana missed his chance to win because he was caught up in a crash which ultimately led to Chris Froome winning his 2^nd Tour De France. These things happen and there is still time left for Ruben to catch back. It's going to make for an exciting finish for the end of the season." Stradalli Cycle CEO Tom Steinbacher

You can read more about the team's season and updates as the Stradalli Cycle Blog

Stradalli Cycle looks to stay on top in San Rafael Sunset Criterium

There is one last race to go on this awesome cross country road trip for the Stradalli Cycle Pro Racing Team. The trip which started in Miami has taken them to San Francisco where the race team has been for a week to train and get ready for the San Rafael SunsetCriterium.

This is a big race as they look to keep Ruben Companioni in first placeoverall in the USA Crits men’s standings. The team has successfully kept Ruben’s first place spot the entire trip despite an impressive surge from defending champion Daniel Holloway.

“This is what cycling is all about. You have last years’ champ and one of the top racers in the country trying to defend his title against an up-and-coming star. This is going to be awesome to watch and I know the team has been taking this week very seriously as they prepare for Saturday nights race.” Stradalli Cycle CEO Tom Steinbacher

 

Stradalli Cycle Pro Racing Team Enjoying Week in San Francisco

Fresh off their big race in Vancouver, the first place Stradalli Cycle race team is spending the week in San Francisco relaxing and training before their next race at the San Rafael Sunset Criterium. It will be a fun week for the team but they are focused on maintaining their lead in the standings, both with Ruben Companioni in the overall lead and the team itself leading in the team category for USA Crits. You can read more about the team's trip and how they are doing in the standings at the Stradalli Cycle Blog

Stradalli Cycle Keeps its Lead after Global Relay Gastown Grand Prix

A tough race in Vancouver could have cost the Stradalli Cycle team a lot. They came into the Global Relay Gastown Grand Prix with the overall team lead as well as the individual lead with Ruben Companioni. Despite a tough field and fast track the Stradalli team was able to leave Vancouver still in first place.

"I am extremely proud of our guys. There were a lot of teams that came into the race in over there heads and we battled the entire night. All 4 of our racers finished in the points, that's impressive to do at any race let alone one that has this much competition. The guys will have a week in California to train and relax a little before the last race in this road trip. We are doing great and need to keep it going." Stradalli Cycle CEO Tom Steinbacher

You can read more about the race team and upcoming races at the Stradalli Cycle Blog

Watch your first place Stradalli Cycle Race Team In Action Tonight!

The Stradalli Cycle Pro Racing Team is in first place and racing tonight in Vancouver. You can watch the race live tonight by following the link below!

http://carbonroadbikebicyclecycling.com/news-blog/

Stradalli Cycle Does Great at NCC Andersen Banducci Twilight Criterium

A stacked field and big crashes did little to slow down the Stradalli Cycle Pro Race Team Saturday night at the Andersen Banducci Twilight Criterium in Boise, Idaho. It was a USA Crits AND NCC Crits Race which means the field was stacked with tough competition.

The team refused to allow the excuses to stop them.They will leave Boise, Idaho with Ruben Companioni still in first place in the USA Crits overall standings. Hector F. Aguilar also raced well and should be jumping into the top 5. But those weren’t the only racers that did well Saturday night.

Yosvany Falcon, Abel Quintana, Jose Frank Rodriguez and Sebastian Morfin all spent time near the lead, often times going head to head with some of the top names and teams in professional cycling.

Stradalli is waiting for confirmation but it is believed that the team is in first place overall in the USA Crits series which means they could hold the top team spot as well as individual.

“This race was unreal. It was just top team after top team out there and I didn’t know what to expect but every time, no joke, every single time the field came around I saw a group of our guys together. Sometimes it was a few guys, sometimes it was 2 groups of 2 but they stuck together the entire night to make sure we did our best overall. People will look at the standings and see Ruben and Hector and that’s awesome, but if you were at the race tonight you saw every Stradalli Cycle pro racer near the lead. That’s pretty cool!” Stradalli Cycle CEO Tom Steinbacher

Ruben Companioni was very appreciative of how his teammates supported him throughout the race. “Every time I looked up there were guys trying to box me in, right on me trying to beat me. That orange jersey is like a target when you are out there. But every time I got put in a tough spot or a disadvantage one of my teammates either came up with me or went ahead to help break up the leaders or do something that helped me get back up in line. It’s not easy going out there knowing every team and racer wants to slow you down but when your teammates are literally fighting for you, it makes you want to try even harder because you know they are doing it for you.”

There are still plenty of races to go but a statement was made tonight by the team. No matter where it is, no matter who is in the field, the Stradalli Cycle pro race team is not only here to compete, but they are here to win.

Buy the same full carbon road bikes used by the pro team on EBay now! 

Stradalli Cycle Race Team Ready for Boise

The Stradalli Cycle pro team has arrived in Boise and is ready for the big USA Crits and NCC race in the Andersen Banducci Twilight Criterium. This is a great opportunity for the team to improve its overall position in the standings as well as build on Ruben Companioni's lead in the individual standings.

To read more about the race and see the results you can visit the Stradalli Cycle Blog

An Awesome Road Trip for the Stradalli Cycle Pro Race Team

The Stradalli Cycle pro race team has arrived in Boise Idaho for the USA Crits and NCC race Saturday night. This is a huge opportunity for the team as racer Ruben Companioni currently has the jersey in the overall standings for USA Crits and the team itself is 2nd overall.

The trip has been a lot of fun and there will be tough competition, but they are ready.

You can read more about the trip and the race results at the Stradalli Cycle Blog

Stradalli Cycle - Safetti Pro Racer Ruben Companioni Leading USA Crits Overall Series

Stradalli Cycle -Safetti pro racer Ruben Companioni is now on top of the USA Crits Overall Men's standings after finishing in the top 3 at the Hyde Park Blast in Cincinnati. Companioni is not the only one on top as Stradalli Cycle-Safetti Smart Wear and Texas Roadhouse Cycling p/b Stradalli combine to own 4 of the top 10 spots in the overall standings. Now it’s 4 Stradalli bikes in the top 8.

“It’s really cool to look at the board and see your guy at the top, but to see so many other guys in the top 8 and even more of our guys are inching up on the top 10 as well. Before this season we set a goal, to build the best possible team. I wanted the team to work together to get the best results and if you look at the standings right now that’s what you will see. Now it’s 4 Stradalli bikes in the top 8. We’ve had plenty of doubters but when you look at what we have achieved I think the results speak for themselves.” Stradalli Cycle CEO Tom Steinbacher

If that wasn’t enough, the Stradalli Cycle-Safetti Pro Team currently sits 2nd in the overall team standings for USA Crits. With a great mix of athletic youth and seasoned veterans who have seen and done it all in pro cycling, this team is poised to win a lot more jerseys with their full carbon road bikes leading the way.

“The last trip we just came back from says everything you need to know about who this team is. Guys are giving teammates their bike to finish a race, helping out in any way they can to make sure Ruben got the lead, working on improving in the team standings, not missing  training because they were tired or complaining because of how long the trip was. I have never seen a more focused team than the one we have this year and the irony is they are all having a lot of fun.” Tom Steinbacher

It is amazing how focused the team is. They face another big challenge coming up as they head to the Andersen/Banducci Twilight Criterium in Boise, Idaho on Saturday, July 11th.

“We love the competition, that’s when we seem to do our best. This was a long road trip but we got stronger as it went and that’s because we love being a part of this team. When Ruben got into first in the standings we all felt like it was a team win, not just his win. Our goal the rest of the season is make sure he stays at the top and we take the team overall championship as well. We know we can do it because we’re in July and we are still here." Young Stradalli Cycle Pro Racer Abel Quintana

The Boise trip will start another long road trip for the team but they are looking forward to the opportunity to compete out west again and prove they belong at the top of the standings where they intend on staying the rest of the year.

Written By James Cox