Taiwanese cyclist, Feng Jun-kai won the opening criterium for the Beverly Hills Cycling Classic, an annual Pro-Am event featuring professional and qualifying amateur athletes from around the world. Friday night, as Beverly opened the circuit for a ninth straight year, Team Taiwan’s Feng Jun-Kai outsprinted John Grant, of Louisville, Ky., for the opening win.
Feng won all three jerseys Friday, taking the red (sprint leader), yellow (stage leader) and black (overall leader).
The victory came courtesy of a gutsy call late as the Taiwanese rider pulled ahead to win primes (money awarded to lap leaders) and was able to hold off Grant for the win.
“The breakaway stayed together for the most part, but his move at the end was definitely the defining moment,” Grant said. “In the breakaway, we never felt like anyone was getting away from it. (Feng) did a good job going for those sprints, and it was a hard race.”
Feng and Grant were part of an eight-man breakaway that separated itself from the field midway through the 60 laps. With fewer than 20 to go, the group lapped the field, making Grant’s job that much easier.
Great news for Taiwan. Hopefully this will help gain more attention for Taiwanese riders. There are definately good young riders here and this seems a natural place to develop riders who can handle the mountains very well.
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