Princeton, NJ – Just a quick update from the Giro di Jersey.  Eight MetLife riders are in the Princeton area June 17-21 for the second annual Giro di Jersey, marketed as the East’s fastest growing stage race.  And honestly, after this year’s precarious events, it may be the shortest living stage race.  Of course, the rain doesn’t help, and there’s been plenty of it.  A canoe may have made it on some of the roads on Saturday’s flooded course, and Thursday’s stage was so dangerous, it was canceled midway through the first lap which was supposed to be neutralized…for 16 miles!  Interesting.  

There have been plenty of questionable course selections and a certain sense of no control during the racing this year, but overall, it’s still been fun to tackle the backroads of northern New Jersey.  It certainly isn’t as dirty as most people claim-at least, not around here.  Our main man so far this race is new recruit Austin Roach whose stellar time trial performance launched him into the top-10.  As this went to press, results from Saturday’s race could shake up the overall classification, but right now, the team’s still pulling for Mr. Roach.

Sunday’s final test is a 46 kilometer circuit race featuring four corners, slight hills, and, well, probably more rain.  Following this race, many of the riders will head to Harlem, NY, for the Harlem Twilight Criterium, sure to be a tough test of endurance and a crowd pleaser.