Supporting An Elite Local Cycling Team
Spring has arrived in DC with its usual cherry blossoms and crowds, and a group of local cyclists have been hitting the streets, country roads, and their indoor stationery trainers for months in preparation for this year’s racing season. For the second year in a row, Farmers Restaurant Group is delighted to provide support for this local cycling squad registered as a USA Cycling Domestic Elite Team.
Total Civil Construction p/b Battley Harley Davidson is the only dedicated elite racing team of the Mid-Atlantic Bicycle Racing Association (MABRA). This 14-year-old men’s racing team was founded by partners Tom Buzzas, (former Co-Owner of Battley-Harley Davidson dealership) and Eli Hengst (local entrepreneur and restaurateur) and was expanded in 2018 when they launched their women’s squad, directed by none other than Farmers Restaurant Group Design Director, Angela Parrotta.
In their first year of racing, the women’s squad brought home 14 wins (including MABRA’s coveted Road Race Championship) and stepped on 40 podiums. Last year’s most notable achievement was the squad sweeping the podium at the Tour of Washington County Kickoff Twilight Criterium in Hagerstown, MD after Angela and Lindsey Crifasi made an aggressive move to get away (and stay away) from the peloton for the entire race.
This year, Farmers Restaurant Group is solely supporting the development of this growing women’s squad, which includes Angela and her Elite Category 2 squad teammates: Britt Mason, Mindy Simmons, and Adair Anderson; along with Erin Conner, Laura Echeverri, Sarah Granade, Svetlana Mack, and Katherine Sarkisov on the Category 3 squad; and Sarah Sladen and Jen Tillman on the Category 4 squad. In their first race of the 2019 season, newcomer Adair Anderson brought home a 3rd place finish at the Tour de Tysons Women’s Category 1/2/3 race.
The Total Civil Construction p/b Battley-Harley Davidson men’s squad has historically collected more local and regional Pro/Cat 1 wins (as they are called in the cycling world), professional podiums, and winning jerseys than any other regional squad, including a U.S. Elite National Criterium Title, Most Combative Jersey at the local Armed Forces Cycling Classic, and top general classification finishes at California’s Redlands and Vermont’s Green Mountain Stage Races. The team has swept the local podium – often all top 5 places – in more road races than any other elite team in MABRA history. The team has also graduated four riders – men and women – to professional ranks in their short history.
We are certain this year will reveal even bigger wins for this local, homegrown racing team. They are committed to the highest levels of competition, working to build and sustain an elite team that provides high-level training in a structured, positive environment. They are also dedicated to fostering young riders seeking a professional cycling career.
Follow what is sure to be the team’s big winning season on social media (Facebook and Instagram) and look for them on the streets. They can be seen wearing pretty rockin’ pink riding kits with Founding Farmers printed on their backs (provided by Cutaway USA and designed by Angela, of course). One upcoming Sterling, VA race taking place on June 9th – Ride Sally Ride – is very close to Founding Farmers Reston Station, and the team has been known to dine there after local races.
Aside from bringing home big wins, they always seem to be having a great time. Please join us in cheering them on throughout their season. Other team sponsors include Total Civil Construction, Bicycle Pro Shop, Raw Talent Ranch, Emissary, The Yoga Shala, Specialized Bicycles, Sorellina, and Cutaway USA.