In the shadow of the state Capitol, an enthused North Carolina crowd watched Frank Travieso (AEG-Toshiba-Jet Network) take one of the most uncompromising wins of his career at this year's Raleigh Downtown Criterium May 25.

Running over a six-turn, L shaped course, the 3-year-old event took place on the front end of the Memorial Day weekend. A high pace did not discourage breakaway attempts, and eventually six men got away —Travieso, Tom Soloday (Kelly Benefit Strategies) John Delong (Alliance), local boys Rich Harper (Abercrombie & Fitch) and David Duncan (Time), and Jittery Joe's Timothy Henry.

"Attacks were coming and going all day." Henry said afterwards. "You couldn't tell what was going to stick. The first couple of times I just pulled through, but then I could hear my manager Jesse Lawler in my ear tell me that he thought this was it."

Once the break was officially away, Travieso became a key player in securing its success. Travesio kept things moving, knowing full well that if the six could lap the field, AEG's well-armed roster could bring home the victory.

With 150 meters to go coming out of the last turn, Henry found himself too far back, seventh or eighth wheel. He nervously kept an eye on Travieso, the one man he could identify in front of him that had been in the break. Behind Travieso and Henry, Rich Harper took third place, elated to have nabbed a podium spot in his hometown.

The women's event took place earlier during daylight hours, and once again Laura Van Gilder took the win, once again displaying strong form and tactical savvy.

During the race’s final moments, Cheerwine let loose first Sarah Bamberger and then Kelly Benjamin, forcing rival squads to react and leaving Van Gilder free to unleash the winning kick. Benjamin followed Van Gilder for second place, leaving Nicky Wangsgard (Vitesse Cycling) with the remaining podium spot.

Navigators deliver Clarke to win in Somerville
If the NRC field was a bit on the light side for the Raleigh crit (AEG's Travieso was the only one of the top 20 men present), it came to full flower for the classic Tour of Somerville on May 28. More than 200 riders turned out, but it was the heavy-hitting Navigators squad that delivered Hilton Clarke to his second victory in three days.

Somerville, the second race in the national version of the USA Crits series, drew solid representation from domestic teams and an estimated 20,000 spectators. The impact of the wide 2km course was felt by many of the riders who attempted to get away during the day's effort. The massive field simply had all the time and space it needed to reel in any breakaways.

Clarke, who had won the Baltimore's Bike Jam/Kelly Cup just two days before, once again benefited from his team's ability to put together a winning train as the race drew to a close. With the help of Oleg Grichkine, the duo ratcheted up the speed during the final moments. Only Alejandro Borrajo was able to make a bid for the podium, sandwiching himself between the two Navigators riders for second place.

Mark Hekman, who finished 11th, retains the USA Crits leader's jersey he claimed with his win at the Athens Twilight Criterium. Yosvany Falcon (AEG) is second with Cody Stevenson (Jittery Joe's) third.

U.S. criterium champ Theresa Cliff-Ryan (Verducci) got the best of Katherine Bates in the 20-mile Mildred Kugler Open, which was run before the men took to the streets of Somerville.

Bates, the only T-Mobile rider in the field, was strong enough on her own to beat out the one-two punch of Vitesse Cycling's Jenny Trew and Nicky Wangsgard, who took third and fourth.