New Haven Rallies For Grand Prix Cycling

Ryan Aitcheson won New Haven’s first-ever Grand Prix men’s bicycling race, which took place in downtown New Haven before some 15,000 visitors Friday night.

“Great to come down to New Haven,” he said moments after stepping down from the victory podium. ​“I love the twilight; I loved the atmosphere. It’s a great city and it was a great race to have.”

Friday’s race and an accompanying street festival were a triumph not only for those victorious in sport, but also for a city that executed an organizational coup in hosting its very first international, professional criterium bicycle race.

New Haven’s transit chief, Doug Hausladen, noted a few firsts for city traffic including the two open lanes during the race on Elm Street and the diagonal intersection blocks at High and Chapel Streets. ​“Our communication and logistics team have really pulled things off. There will be some traffic impacts but traffic will be flowing in the greatest small city in America” he said before the start of the race.

Pausing momentarily on a traffic-less strip of Chapel Street in their police ​“gator” were police spokesperson Officer David Hartman and Lt. Rob Criscuolo, who handled much of the event logistics and coordination. Criscuolo said there was great cooperation among city departments. ​“Parade day is the only other day that Chapel and College street is closed,” Criscuolo noted.

An ebullient Andrew Wolf, the city’s director of arts, culture and tourism, raised his food court-banded wrist in the air proclaiming ​“New Haven Alive!” as visitors streamed past to a row of ​“apizza” and other food specialty trucks. ​“This is what the event is about and why It’s a drawing card for the city and the state,” he said.

With legions of volunteers helping out, event planners like Taste of New Haven’s Colin Caplan had a few moments to mug for the camera.

In the ​“Neutral Pit,” a bicycle mechanic’s hub coordinated by Devil’s Gear bike shop owner Matthew Feiner (center), things were relatively calm and quiet prior to the race. During the heat of the race, the pit buzzed with activity as up to 17 racers came in at the same time for wheel changes and support after a crash on the course.

Martin Torresquintero (pictured above with Doug Hausladen), New Haven’s Outdoor Adventure Coordinator who has been developing cycling programs in city schools, chatted with city students from New Horizons and Common Ground school programs that were participating in the Urban Mountain Bike race, but also took time to speak with interested city kids who showed up with their bikes, but not officially racing. Torresquintero said that in city cycling programs, students learn about the discipline of biking including bike safety. 

Glancing around at the growing crowds, Torresquintero also commented on the benefits of cycling to the the city’s economy: ​“We see people from all over New England. They get to see New Haven’s awesome shops, restaurants, bars — and bike shops.” While some of the racers have come from as far away as France, England, Belgium and Canada, it was apparent that the many visitors and spectators were also from abroad, lending credence to the international quality of the Grand Prix race.

Both girls and boys braved the challenging course located just outside Yale’s Old Campus …

… While activities abounded at the Kid’s Zone obstacle course sponsored by Denali-Trailblazers. A portion of the monies raised through the New Haven Grand Prix event will go to one to the event’s organizers, Connecticut Cycling Advancement Program (CCAP), to further cycling opportunities and education for young people.

Devin Skelton, AKA Batman, had his Velomobile, a bicycle with its streamlined, monocoque shell, on display. Skelton said he has virtually replaced the use of his car as he peddles to work in New Haven from the Naugatuck Valley, a 40-mile round trip.

While adults enjoyed live music at a stage erected on the street outside the Shubert Theater, nearby Mike Steidley of Kendra Tires Mountain Stunt Show and guest stunt performer Joe Janicki entertained with gravity-defying leaps and bounds on their multi-planed platforms.

As twilight turned to dusk, restaurant goers enjoyed al fresco dining at the race course edge .

Some preferred the seductively dim lighting of area bars.

But ultimately, it was all about the races .

… the swoosh of air as peloton formations whizzed by …

… or rounded corners at break-neck speed.

For one special evening, in one special city, the thrill of victory filled the air in a new and wonderful way, demonstrating that New Haven is at the very least one of the greatest small cities in America.

Winners of the men’s pro race were: first place, Ryan Aitchenson, Kirtchener, Ont.; second place, Brad Huff, Springfield, Mo.; and third place, Juan Sebastian Tamao Martinez of Jackson Heights, N.Y. For more information and race results visit the Bike Reg Website.