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Austin cyclist wins Athens Twilight Crit
Austin-based cyclist Heath Blackgrove, a New Zealand native, won the 30th running of the Athens Twilight Criterium this weekend in downtown Athens, Ga. (Thanks for the photo, Brandon Andrews Photography!)
“It’s the biggest crit in America, and I’ve heard a lot of stories about it. So to win the first time doing it, with a crowd like this, is pretty special,” Blackgrove told VeloNews.
The race was part of a series of races held around Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina over nine days. Blackgrove, 28, was one of three cyclists in a breakaway late in the 80km race.
Weather was perfect and turnout was huge, according to the report.
Other Team Hotel San Jose cyclists finished well, too. Carlos Vargas Columbia was 12th, and Sean Sullivan was 39th. Barry Lee got caught behind a crash could not catch up.
Blackgrove is a former Olympian and 12-time national champion in New Zealand. He started cycling in the United States in 2006, initially racing for Toyota-United. He discovered Austin while racing the Austin Downtown Criterium, where he met directors and management for Team Hotel San Jose. He joined Team Hotel San Jose in 2009. He and his girlfriend Sharyon Johns both now live and train here.
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