For the first time, LSU Cycling will host this weekend’s South Central Collegiate Cycling Conference Road Championships.
“We have only hosted one race here previously,” said cyclist and kinesiology senior Dustin Drewes. “I think the last race went really well, and that is why we were able to host the championship.”
More than 20 teams from four states will be present, according to Drewes. The road championships will consist of three races with many categories in each race, for a total of 18 races. But Drewes said Sunday’s races will be the most exciting and spectator-friendly.
“Sunday’s races are going to be held downtown, near the Capitol,” Drewes said. “Not only will the scenery be very picturesque, but the riders are going to be going extremely fast. Most people don’t know what it looks like for a pedal-powered bike to be going 30 mph.”
Mechanical engineering senior Joey Bacala agreed that Sunday will be the most spectator friendly, but said he was most excited about the road race in St. Francisville.
“The course is going to be extremely tough,” Bacala said. “We have seen some big hills before at other competitions, but the ones in this race are going to be much larger. We have been training on them pretty regularly just so we can be ready this weekend.”
The Men’s A Category race will be 79.3 miles long and start at 8 a.m. Bacala said this kind of racing presents a special challenge.
“You want to be prepared to ride the course, but you can’t be too tired,” Bacala said. “As the race gets closer, I am going to taper down my training and get plenty of rest the night before.”
After the road race, the riders will get a short reprieve before taking to the road again for the Saturday afternoon time trials. On Sunday, the riders will travel to the heart of Baton Rouge for the Criterium races.
“It’s totally different than the other two races,” Drewes stressed. “Riders are going to have to handle the bike really well. With the road races, it is just about muscling through.”
Drewes said everyone on the team is excited to race on their home track.
“Racing in Baton Rouge presents a unique opportunity to perform well,” Drewes said. “We have raced all of these courses several times. We know the turns and nuances of each track.”
But the members of LSU Cycling aren’t the only Baton Rouge residents excited to witness the cycling speedsters. Eric Engemann with the Baton Rouge Area Sports Foundation said the race will bring awareness to the sport of cycling.
“I am really excited to see how it turns out,” Engemann said. “I think this race will show people what cycling is.”
For a complete schedule of races, check the LSU Cycling website.