Pembroke Pines' Keith Norris became the latest state racer to win a national title, sprinting on the last lap of the USA Cycling Elite Men's National Criterium Championship in Downer's Grove, Ill., on Aug. 17.
This summer, titles have been won by Sherri Stedje (Team BBC), of Lutz; John Sinibaldi Sr. (Team Gearlink) of St. Petersburg and Earl Henry (West Coast Wheelmen) of Pinellas Park.
Each August, the nation's best criterium (short course) racers head to Downers Grove, Ill., to race the fast, tight course. Norris took first among 150 of the best Category 1-2 criterium riders in North America.
In junior, senior and women's races, officials ring the bell for cash laps. Norris, 18, said he decided against going full blast for the money, saving his energy for the last lap, which paid off.
Norris races for Dade County's Aerospace Engineering Group Racing Team. STATE TIME TRIAL: State racers struggled in the heat and humidity at the Florida State Time Trial championship in St. Augustine on Aug. 17.
Miami's Frank Travieso was the fastest rider in the 40-kilometer event, finishing in 54 minutes, 9 seconds. Three-time winner Lloyd Hlavac of Mount Dora made the top five and was the top master (40 and older) in 55:45.
Team Bradenton's Daniel Holt was ninth in the Category 1-2 men in 56:37, and Category 4 rider Tony Carbajal (Team American Classic), who was 10th in the state criterium, was sixth in the time trial in 1:02:18.
Cameron Miller (Team American Classic) of Tampa won a silver in the junior men's (10-12) category of the 20-kilometer event in 23:27.
In her first time trial, Clearwater's Val Tavanese (Team Outspokin) was eighth in the 20-kilometer Category 4 event in 34:24. She said her goal was to make the top 10.
Tavanese, 38, a native of Nicaragua who came to the United States in 1980, has used a cycling fitness program to slim down from 230 pounds to 140.
"My next goal is just to finish the Reebok Women's Triathlon next weekend," she said. "I'm having fun at this, and I will never lose my fitness again. I just go as hard as I can."
COME RIDE: The St. Petersburg Bicycle Club rides start at North Shore Pool at 9th Avenue N and North Shore Drive NE in St. Petersburg. Some riders start with the Saturday rides, which gather at 8:15 am. Helmets are required. For details, go to www.stpetecycling.com
