The 28^th annual Concord Criterium was one for the record books for the MetLife cycling team. It was a performance which demonstrated the power of teamwork and the diversity of our riders. A large MetLife contingent attended including Brad Sheehan, Vinnie Scalia, Corey Mason, Tim Mitchell, Ryan Fleming, Aaron Malloy, and Peter Bell. With several cards to play the MetLife boys were comfortable following the attacks and putting multiple riders into the break aways.

The course, run in reverse this year, provided a new twist with a gradual climb in it and a chicane-like set of turns on the descent into the finish. The race was active all day, with numerous groups trying to get off the front. With a handful of laps to go a group of three got off the front including Peter Bradshaw (Embrocation) Peter Vollers (Vollers Law) and former European pro Justin Spinelli (Svelte Cycles), with no representation in the break the MetLife boys made several bridge attempts. Fortunately, Bell was able to break free of the peleton and get across to the three leaders. With the break now solidified up front, the four worked together, while back in the peleton, MetLife came to the front to control the pace.

Bell lead into the chicane on the final lap prepared for the preemptive attack by any rider concerned about their chances in the sprint. Sure enough coming out of the penultimate corner Spinelli jumped. It was quickly countered by Vollers and closely followed by Bell, and then Bradshaw. Around the last corner, with the seemingly interminable finishing straight looming, Vollers was the first to start his sprint. Anxious, Bell began his sprint soon after. Regretting the early start almost immediately, there was no other choice but to put the head down and go. When all was said and done however, Bell was able to cross the line in first place. With his first win in the bag Bell hopes to continue the team’s momentum into the final big races of the season.