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10 Years of the Red Hook Crit Brooklyn – Brian Vernor

Reportage By: John Watson

10 Years of the Red Hook Crit Brooklyn – Brian Vernor

10 Years of the Red Hook Crit Brooklyn
Photos by Brian Vernor, words by Dan Chabanov.

The Red Hook Crit turned 10 this year. I first did the race in 2010, Brian Vernor was also there for the first time, making a movie and shooting photos. Seven years later we were both in the media tent at the 10th edition of the race trying to take it all in while simultaneously being completely blown away by the race. A few days later I got to see his photos from that day (the one’s you see in this gallery) and the images he made just struck a cord with me. The choices he was making about what to photograph and what not to photograph made me feel like he was understanding the race in a way that was similar to mine. So I called him up to just talk about the Crit, his photos, and why he keeps coming back.

Brooklyn Red Hook Crit No. 9 – Chris Lee

Reportage By: John Watson

Brooklyn Red Hook Crit No. 9 – Chris Lee

Brooklyn Red Hook Crit No. 9
Photos and words by Chris Lee

The clouds hung very grey and ominous that morning. No surprise since it rained for most of the day prior. Nevertheless, as soon as the announcement was made that qualifying rounds would begin, the sun broke through the clouds and the ninth iteration of the Red Hook Crit was on.

With every year, there seems to be an inevitable metamorphosis. Admittedly, RHC is not the birthday celebration race that it once was. Nowadays, banners of corporate sponsors don the barricades, along with newly acquired bicycle sponsor, Specialized. But the allure and the romance of RHC still remains and the level of competition becoming elevated with every stop. This year brought pro, elite and working class athletes from 48 countries, hungry to represent their team and country on the podium. This was especially true in the women’s field who, in many ways, were the most eager to bring the spotlight to their efforts, which indeed shined brightly.

While this year’s Crit was not without it’s fair share of controversy and bloodshed, a fiercely competitive male and female peloton chose their champions. In the end, Ainara Elbusto, an Italian representing Conor WRC, fought through crashes and sprinted for the win in the women’s race while Colin Strickland, an American representing Allez Allez-Specialized, broke away for a solo win after a devastating crash in the men’s field involving a stalled moto.

Although it’s not certain what the next metamorphosis will look like for the Red Hook Crit. What is certain is that anyone can still earn the top spot on the podium, pro or amateur, which makes this race’s allure even stronger every year.

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Follow Chris on Instagram and at his website.

Radar

The Checkmate Criterium

Here’s a video recap from the Checkmate (track) Criterium in Italy:

“Despite the rain, The Checkmate Criterium in Marostica (Italy) organized by Frenk Martucci was a good test for key Italian fixed crit riders flying to New York the following week for the Red Hook Criterium 2016 season.”

Radar

Road to Red Hook Video

We posted the trailer for this a bit back, now here’s the full-length video, Road to Red Hook.

“Road to RedHook tags along with 4 talented women as they gear up for the 2nd year of the Women’s RedHook crit–a fast, competitive bike race in Brooklyn, New York.
Anyone can look pro with some good glasses and fancy spandex, but the interviews uncover these girls to be sweet, funny, hopeful, and above all– totally human. The participants involved with this video want to remind all those hopefuls out there that sometimes the hardest part of racing is just getting to the starting line.

Featuring:
Erica Schwanke
Christina Peck
Ayesha McGowan
Lynn Kennedy”

Radar

Another 2014 Red Hook Crit Video

Here’s another great video from the 2014 Red Hook Crit in Brooklyn.

“Heavy rain brought a tense day leading up to this year’s Red Hook Crit. Threats of cancellation and worries of increased danger on the course were relieved when the race finally started, 2 hours before its scheduled time, with a modified course and a shortened number of laps. Nevertheless riders came out in full force to battle the elements and each other.

Now in it’s 7th year, what started out as an informal birthday party for organizer David Trimble has become an international event. Hundreds of competitors from over 20 different countries descend on the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal in Red Hook to race on brakeless fixed-gear track bikes, and this year in the rain. The race is fast and intense, with only the strongest and smartest of riders able to overcome the fury and seize the title.”

Peak Design Peak Design
Yeti Yeti
Thomson Bike Thomson Bike
Tern Tern
Peak Design Peak Design
Leatt Leatt
Paul Paul
RiG'd Supply RiG'd Supply
State Bicycle Co. State Bicycle Co.
Rivendell Rivendell
SimWorks SimWorks
Industry Nine Industry Nine