Just in… a mini-race report and write up of the USA Crits final in Las Vegas, courtesy of Andy Sniegowski:

USA Crits Final Vegas

If you’re reading this, then you already know that the USA Crits series is the premier criterium racing series in the United States. Starting way back in April with the prestigious Athens Twilight, and finishing last Thursday at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. A huge part of the Interbike tradeshow.

What you may not know is that there were a number of AZ racers throwing down in the 2/3 crit in Vegas last week. Knowing that this was an extremely technical, and sometimes crash riddled course, the Bicycle Ranch was active early, putting riders into several breaks. Unfortunately, the extremely aggressive and hypermotivated pack did not allow any of these moves to last more than half a lap. Ultimately the race came down to 5 super fast finishing laps. With 3 to go Matt Sniegowski (Taser Racing) and Michael Castro (Bicycle Ranch) went to the front and set about shattering everyone whose legs were anything but fresh. At the finale, Michael scored the Bicycle Ranch a 6th place, and Matt was able to bring home 2nd for Taser Racing to go along with the 2nd place he had earned in the 3s at Athens in the beginning of the season. Not bad against a tough field all wanting to show their stuff at one of the biggest cycling industry events in the country. Especially considering these guys are both still 3s racing in a 2/3 field.

Later in the evening Oakley’s Rich Weis of Chandler was one of the most aggressive riders in the Industry Cup race. In the end of the race reserved for the cycling industry’s wheelers and dealers Matt Sniegowski, riding for Bicycle Ranch was again the best placed AZ racer, with an impressive 5th place only 2 hours after his previous race.