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

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.  

How do you feel about becoming a Professional domestic team this year? 

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 10^th time I’ve raced it.  The atmosphere at the race is like no other race on the circuit and I totally love it.  

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

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? 

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.

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.

Get To Know Astellas Cycling Team... Clay Murfet

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:  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

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 Feehery


Age: 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.



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

Get To Know Astellas Cycling Team... Ryan Aitcheson

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: Ryan Aitcheson

Age: 23

Hometown: Kitchener, Ontario, Canada

When/Why did you start cycling? 
Tried out many summer sports and didn’t enjoy them as much as mountain biking. Joined a local club at the age of 13 and rode with them.

What do you like about cycling? 
Started out mountain biking and loved being outdoors in the woods on trails that would always change. The speed also helps.

What do you not like? 
The long hours training, but it's worth it when you win.

What do you do outside of cycling? Jobs, hobbies, family? 
Work at a bike shop and train year around, so not much outside that. I pick up the guitar when I'm home and like to go out with my girlfriend.

When did you start riding with Astellas? 
2013 season. It was their second season around.

How do you feel about becoming a Professional domestic team this year? 
The many years of training have paid off. Being able to call myself a pro after years working up the ladder is a huge step that not many get to take.

What type of racing is your “specialty?” 
Crits and one day races.

What races are you excited for this year? 
Canadian Nationals is my most important race and also Joe Martin, since I have done well in the past.

What bike will you be riding this year? 
One of the C-Series frames. Excited to get it as it looks fast and very unique to the company.

You can follow Ryan on Twitter @RyanAit, and be sure to follow @astellascycling this year.

Get To Know Astellas Cycling Team... Jake Rytlewski

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: Jake Rytlewski

Age: 31

Hometown: Bay City, MI  

Current: Boulder, CO

When/Why did you start cycling? 

I started in cycling at the age of 14. My dad got involved in the sport and then so did my brothers and myself. 

What do you like about cycling?

Being able to go out and ride any where you want and on any road. Every ride can be an adventure. Also exploring and riding in new areas. 

What do you not like? 

Drivers who don't understand cyclist have rights and cyclist who don't understand they have to follow laws as well. 

What do you do outside of cycling? Jobs, hobbies, family? 

I work full time now as a cycling coach with FasCat Coaching out of Boulder Colorado. I will be married 7 years this September, have 1 daughter who is 4 and one on the way in May. I also enjoy drumming but don't have much time. 

When did you start riding with Astellas? 

I started with Astellas in 2012, the first year it was a team. 

How do you feel about becoming a Professional domestic team this year? 

I've done it for 7 previous years. I'm excited to get back to it and it is always great to be racing at the top level in the US. I'm also looking forward to sharing my experiences and knowledge with the younger guys on the team and to help them out. I've done almost all the same races for years now. 

What type of racing is your “specialty?” 

Hilly road races and stage races. 

What races are you excited for this year? 

USPRO Road Championships 

What bike will you be riding this year? 

T1. My best year as a domestic pro was on a titanium bike. I'm excited about getting back on one. Especially from a company who is known for their great titanium bikes. 

Anything else? Tips, tricks, advice? 

Love what you do and do what you love. It's not easy and sacrifices will have to be made, but you have to be willing to make them to succeed. Of course I've never could have made it to where I am now without the help of others, especially my parents and wife. 

Be sure to check out his blog "The Breeze Journal" and follow him on Twitter @jakerytlweski. Don't forget to follow @astellascycling either.