Philicia Marion, Robert Marion, Anina Aaron, and Chase Dickens

Monday, March 23, 2009

Kenda/KMC/Hayes Takes Top Spots in PRO


The Kenda/KMC/Hayes Professional Mountain Bike team raced the first round of the Southern Classic Mountain Bike Series in Winston-Salem, NC Sunday. The team took the top spots with Robert Marion winning the Pro/Cat1 division, and Anina coming out 1st place in the Pro/Cat 1 Women's field, with Philicia not too far behind in 2nd. Chase also had a great race, finishing mid-pack among the Pro/Cat1 Men. The team hopes to continue the success in California for the first round of the Pro-Tour Mountain Bike Series. Hope to see you there!

Monday, March 16, 2009


The Kenda/KMC/Hayes Professional Mountain Bike Team travelled once again to Florida for a different type of racing action. On Saturday, each team member competed solo in the Squiggy 6-hour Mountain Bike Classic at the Morris Bridge Park in Tampa, Florida. Racers had to complete as many laps as possible on the flat, sandy 10 mile course. The Team kept their podium streak alive on Saturday with a first, 2 seconds, and a third place finish. Robert took an early lead in the race and never looked back, being one of only 2 racers to complete 8 laps during the event. The team's youngest member, Chase also competed in the Pro/Open Men. Chase rode hard the entire event, and finished second place. The ladies of the team, in the Pro/Open Women, also had great rides. Anina and Philicia both completed 7 laps of the course, earning Anina second place, and Philicia third. On Sunday, the team travelled about an hour away to Lake Alfred, Florida for a criterium race. The freshly surfaced 2-mile loop circled around WaterRidge Community. In the morning, the Ladies began the action for the team, competing in the Cat 4 women's race. Although the Cat 4 women raced with the Pro/1/2/3 ladies, it was Anina and Philicia who controlled much of the race, with the two leading 3 of the laps. It came to an exciting sprint finish between 7 ladies, with Anina finished 4th and Philicia 5th. The results would show Anina and Philicia the only CAT 4 women able to hold on to the front group by the end of the race, with Anina placing 1st, and Philicia 2nd. At noon, Chase took off with the CAT 5 men. He stayed safely in the front of the field during the entire race, which had over 50 racers. The race ended in a pack sprint with Chase coming in 4th. The most exciting, and longest race of the day was the PRO/1/2 Men's race. Less than a third of the field finished on the lead lap on the hot, windy course. Robert rode a hard effort, missing the breakaway early in the race, and fighting throughout the race to bridge the gap. With only a few laps to go, Robert bridged the gap to the leaders, and sprinted his way to 6th place. The team would like to thank again ALL of our sponsors, without which none of our success would be possible. We would also like to say a special Thank You to Bill and Ellen of American Classic for giving the Team a place to stay for the weekend and our trailer for the week, and also Simon of Simon Says Cycling for his encouragement to the team this weekend. The Team will be back in North Carolina for a Southern Classic XC race this weekend, then look forward to the start of the 2009 PRO TOUR in Fontana, CA.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

KENDA/KMC/HAYES PROFESSIONAL MOUNTAIN BIKE TEAM EARNS ALL TOP 5 FINISHES IN FIRST XC RACE OF 2009!!!


The 2009 season has officially began for the Kenda/KMC/Hayes Professional Mountain Bike Team with the first round of the South Eastern Regional Championship Series in Gainesville, Florida. The weather was perfect for an exciting race. The Professional Men's race proved to be the closest of the day with Robert Marion grabbing second place sprinting with Florida native, Ryan Woodall, and third place competitor, Travis Livermon to the finish. The Women on the team did well, with Anina Aaron placing third place in the Professional Women's race, with Philicia Marion holding on to a top five finish. Chase Dickens, with a racing age of 15, competed in the Cat 1 19-29 category and grabbed the 4th place position. The team trailer was set up across from the start/finish line with many fans and racers stopping by to chat with the team and pick up stickers, brochures, and other promotional items. The team heads back to Florida next weekend to compete in the Squiggy 6-hour XC Race.

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