WE ARE ON THE SITUATION BEFORE.

ONE OF THE RACERS GOING THROUGH RIGHT NOW, AS THEY ANTICIPATE THE START IN 30 MINUTES?

>> YEAH, EVERYONE IS NERVOUS.

IT'S TOTALLY UNPREDICTABLE SPORT.

SO EVERYONE IS GOING THROUGH THE LAST MINUTE WARMUP ROUTINE, GETTING THE FOOD THAT THEY MAY NEED, THE BOTTLES THAT WILL THEY MAY NEED.

SAYING HI TO THEIR COMPETITION, BUT BUT THEIR NERVOUS ROO RIGHT NOW.

>> CAN THE NERVOUSNESS IN SOME WAY HELP THEM?

>> IN A SENSE.

THAT'S WHAT COMPETITION IS ALL ABOUT.

WHETHER YOU ARE READY MORE OFTEN.

>> NOW BEFORE WE HEAD TO SPARKS, LET'S FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE RACE FROM PROFESSIONAL CYCLIST ROBIN CARPENTER.

>> VERY TYPICAL SPOT FOR THE SCENERY BIG ROLLING HILLS WIDE OPEN FARM HOUSES THIS IS WHERE A LOT OF THE EARLY ACTION HAPPENS ON THESE ROLLERS.

THEY'RE NOT BIG ON PAPER, BUT LOOKS CAN BE DECEIVING.

>> FROM HERE ON DOWN INTO THE CITY CENTER IS SORT OF TRENDING DOWNHILL.

THERE IS NOT AS MANY CLIMBS.

THEY DON'T COME AS FAST.

THERE ARE LONGER SIGHT LINES HERE.

AND SO IT KIND OF HIVE LIFE THERE ARE A COUPLE DIFFERENT STRATEGIES HERE THAT TEAMS MIGHT EMPLOY.

LAST YEAR WE SAW A LOT OF TEAM ATTACK TACKING EARLY ON AND TRYING TO BLOW THE RACE UP BECAUSE THERE WAS ONE TEAM THAT HAD A COUPLE VERY STRONG TOUR DE FRANCE CALIBER SPRINTERS AND THEY WANTED TO GET RID OF THOSE GUYS AS FAST AS POSSIBLE.

THIS YEAR WE HAVE TEAMS COMING TO THE RACE SO THAT MIGHT ADD TO A LEVEL OF CONTROL THAT WE DIDN'T SEE LAST YEAR.

AND IN THE END, THE SECOND HALF OF THE RACE ACTUALLY LENDS ITSELF TO CONTROL.

YOU KNOW, DESPITE THERE BEING A LOT OF TURNS ON THEIR CIRCUIT, MOST OF THE ROADS ARE PRETTY WIDE AND I THINK IT ACTUALLY HAS THE PELL TON HAS A BIT MORE OF AN ADVANTAGE OVER THE BREAKAWAY ON THIS CIRCUIT.

>> SO YOU CAN SEE A SITUATION WHERE IF A SEEM REALLY WANTED TO COMMIT TO CONTROLLING THE RACE AND WAS 100% COMMITTED TO THAT PLAN, THEY WOULD RIDE RELATIVELY CONSERVATIVELY UP TOP, RIDE THE HILLS SOMEWHAT SLOWER, RIDE THE DOWNHILLS AND THE FLATTS AS FAST AS POSSIBLE AND ONCE THEY GOT OUT TO THIS SECOND SECTION IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE RACE, THERE IS TONS OF TOMB TO COME BACK AND REGROUP AND BRING THAT BREAKAWAY INTO CONTROL.

AND A OF TIMES WHAT YOUILL SEE IS IT DOESN'T TALK ONE TEAM DOING ALL THE WORK BUT IF ONE TEAM KEEPS THE GAP MANAGEABLE AND YOU GET INTO THE CIRCUITS AND SAY THE BREAKAWAY ONLY HAS TWO OR THREE MINUTES IN THE LAST HOUR OF BIKE RACING, THAT'S AWE GAP THAT CAN BE BROUGHT DOWN, ESPECIALLY IF THE BREAK COMPOSITION IS MADE UP OF SOME OF THE LOWER LEVEL OF TEAMS.

>> THE EXCITEMENT IS CERTAINLY BUILDING.

LET'S HEAD TO THE START OF THE RACE WHERE 10 TIME U.S. NATIONAL CHAMPION RAHSAAN BAHATI IS STANDING BY.

WHAT IS THE VIBE LIKE OUT AT THE START?

YOU KNOW LAST YEAR IT WENT RIGHT FROM THE GUN.

OUR GUYS MORE NERVOUS AND MORE WARMED UP THAN LAST YEAR?

>> I'LL TELL YOU WHAT.

WHAT I HAVE NOTICED AT T START IS A LOST KEY RIDERS HAVE BEEN HIDING OUT, STAYING COOL IN THE CARS WITH THE A.C. RUNNING, PUTTING ICE BAGS ON BECAUSE THEY KNOW IT'S GOING TO BE A VERY GIVING THE ATTRITION RATE THAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN BECAUSE OF THE HEAT.

>> RA SAD, HOW WILL THE HEAT AFFECT THE RIDERS, 120 MILES TO A LAYMAN SEEMS LIKE A LONG WAY TO GO, ESPECIALLY IN THIS EAT?

>> 120 MILES IS VERY DIFFICULT IN THE BALTIMORE COUNTY ROLLING HILLS.

I'M TELLING YOU, THE ATTRITION RATE IS GOING TO BE MASSIVE BECAUSE THEY'RE RACING AT THE HEIGHT OF THE DAY, 91° AT THE START.

ABOUT 98 AT THE FINISH.

HYDRATION IS GOING TO BE KEY.

WHOEVER WAS DRINKING THOSE BEERS LAST NIGHT MAY PAY FOR IT.

>> EL WITH, THE EXCITEMENT LEADING UP TO THE RACE TODAY IS CERTAINLY GROWING AS WE GET CLOSER AND CLOSER TO THE RACE.

HAVE YOU TALKED TO ANY OF THE RIDERS?

WHAT ARE THEY TELLING YOU ABOUT GETTING GOING?

>> YEAH, IT HAD BEEN DIFFICULT FINDING THE RIDERS.

THEY'RE LYI LOW.

WHEN YOU HAVE A HARD DAY COMING UP, YOU JUST WANT TO RELAX.

HOPEFULLY LATER ON WE CAN CATCH UP WITH THE RIDERS.

>> YESTERDAY WE WERE RIDING SOME OF THOSE ROADS ON THE BRIDGES TO HOPE CHARITY RIDE.

DO YOU SEE THIS COMING DOWN TO A BIG SPRINT GROUP OR WILL IT BLOW TO PIECES LIKE IT DID LAST YEAR?

>> I THINK IF YOU CAN LOOK BACK TO LAST YEAR, WEATHER IS VERY SIMILAR, TEAMS WERE VERY STACKED LIKE THE WAY THEY ARE TODAY.

AND I THINK WEILL SEE A SPLIT JUST THE WAY WE SAW LAST YEAR.

MY THOUGHTS IS THAT IT WILL HAPPEN A LITTLE LATER IN THE RACE, WHERE LAST YEAR IT WAS JUST A BIG ELEMENT OF SURPRISE.

IT WAS THE FIRST YEAR OF THE AMERICAN CYCLING CLASSIC.

NO ONE REALLY KNEW HOW THE RACE WAS GOING TO PLAY OUT AND HOW DIFFICULT THE TERRAIN IS.

THIS YEAR I THINK PEOPLE WERE VERY AWARE AND IT'S GOING TO BE BODIES EVERYWHERE AND A SELECT GROUP TO THE FINISH.

>> SO, RAHSAAN, ONE LAST QUESTION.

YOU AND I BOTH RACED OUR CYCLES TOGETHER FOR A LONG, LONG TIME.

WHO IS YOUR PREDICTION TO WIN TODAY?

>> YOU KNOW, HONESTLY, GIVEN THE YEAR NEILSEN HAS HAD, THAT IS MY PICK.

HE WAS REALLY CLOSE LAST YEAR.

THE TEAM MADE FUNDAMENTAL ERRORS AT THE END.

I THINK THEY WILL CORRECT THOSE THINGS AND BE THE TEAM TO BEAT.

HE HAS MENTIONED MULTIPLE TIMES HE HAS BEEN IN HOUSTON.

HOUSTON IS VERY HOT, HUMID.

HE IS ONE OF THE MOST PREPARED FOR THIS TYPE OF WEATHER.

>> RA SAD, GREAT REPORTING.

WE'LL HEAD BACK TO YOU IN A LITTLE BIT AS WE GET CLOSER AND CLOSER TO THE START OF THE RACE.

THE EXCITEMENT LEADING UP TO RACE DAY HAS BEEN LEADING ALL WEEK TO CELEBRATE THE SPORTS.

MPT NANCY YAMADA ATTENDED A WELCOME RECEPTION HONORING AFRICAN-AMERICAN ACHIEVEMENTS IN PROFESSIONAL CYCLING.

>> I THINK WE ALWAYS HAVE TO BE MINDFUL THAT NOTHING GREAT IN THIS SOCIETY HAPPENS WITHOUT THE CONTRIBUTION OF AFRICAN MESHES.

>> AL HUTCHISON, THE C.E.O.

OF VIOLATE BALTIMORE WAS AMONG THE ATTENDEES AT THE MUSEUM TO CELEBRATE THE RACKABLE ACHIEVEMENTS OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN CYCLISTS.

>> IT WAS A LONG ROAD.

IT WAS A LONG, HARD ROAD, BUT YOU KNOW, I JUST STAYED PERSISTENTT IT.

>> RETIRED ROAD AND TRACK CYCLIST WAS THE FIRST TO MEDAL IN CYCLING AT THE 1984 SUMMER OLYMPICS.

HE TOOK ON THE SILVER MEDAL AND WENT ON TO HAVE A SUCCESSFUL CAREER AND WAS INDUCTED INTO THE U.S.

BICYCLE HALL OF FAME IN 2 HAD YOU BEEN IN 2009.

>> AS ONE OF THE ONLY AFRICAN-AMERICANS IN THE SPORTS, I WAS ALWAYS INCLUDED.

A LOT OF IT CAME FROM MY RESULTS, NUMBER ONE, I DIDN'T DO A LOT OF TALKING.

I SHOWED IT IN SPORTS.

>> GROWING UP IN COMPTON, CALIFORNIA... >> DIDN'T KNOW IT WAS A REAL SPORT.

DIDN'T KNOW IT WAS A CAREER.

I JUST ENJOYED RIDING BIKES.

>> RAHSAAN BAHATI GOT INTO TRACK RIDING WHEN HE WAS 11.

HE IS DEDICATED TO INCREASING EXPOSURE TO THE SPORT, ESPECIALLY FOR YOUNG CUSTODIES IN URBAN AREAS.

>> RACING AROUND THE WORLD AND RACING AROUND THE NATION, I REALIZE I COULD HELP GET MORE KIDS WHO LOOK LIKE MORE IN UNDER SERVED COMMUNITIES ON BIKES.

UNFORTUNATELY, THERE ARE NOT A LOT OF BLACK PEOPLE RIDING BIKES AT THE INTERNATIONAL LEVEL SO THAT STIGMA IS GOING TO BE THERE UNTIL WE BREAK THAT BARRIER DOWN.

AND SO WE ARE SLOWLY BRIDGING THE GAP TO LET EVERYONE KNOW, WE DO BELONG, AND WE CAN BE A PART OF THE FABRIC OF CYCLING AND CONTRIBUTE TO CYCLING.

>> WORDS THAT THE 17-YEAR-OLD DIGITAL HARBOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT IS TAKING TO HEART.

>> WHAT I LOVE ABOUT BIKING IS IT'S NOT REALLY ANY LIMITS ON IT.

SO YOU CAN JUST PUSH THE LIMITS AS FAR AS YOU WANT TO OR AS FAR AS YOU CAN.

AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO WAIT FOR ANYBODY.

YOU JUST GO.

>> FOR THE RETIRED PRO-CYCLISTS THEIR DAYS OF GRUELING TRAINING AND COMPETING ARE OVER BUT THE LOVE OF THE SPORT IS STILL THERE.

>> THE ONLY THING I CAN SAY IS ONE WORD.

FREEDOM.

THE FREEDOM OF BEING OUTDOORS, AND I ALWAYS TRY TO TELL PEOPLE, WHEN THEY GO FOR A BICYCLE RIDE, JUST RIDE.

>> HE ADVOCATES FOR NO MUSIC, NO TALKING, JUST BE PRESENT AND ENJOY THE RIDE.

>> BOBBY, YOU ARE A SEASONED PROFESSIONAL CYCLIST.

WHAT DOES THIS EVENTED MEAN FOR THE MARYLAND AND BALTIMORE CITY COMMUNITY BRINGING THIS RACE TO MARYLAND?

>> HEY, LISTEN, THIS IS THE BIGGEST RACE IN AMERICA RIGHT NOW.

IT'S THEIR TIME TO SHINE.

COME OUT, SUPPORT THE RACE, BE PROUD OF WHERE YOU LIVE BECAUSE THESE KIDS THAT ARE RACING THE RACE ARE GOING TO GO HOME AND SAY REALLY GOOD THINGS ABOUT THIS AREA AND MAYBE COME BACK HERE SO THIS IS THE TIME TO SHINE FOR BALTIMORE.

>> NOW YOU HAD TOLD ME EARLIER THAT PROFESSIONAL CYCLING AT ONE TIME WAS ACTUALLY BIGGER IN THE STATES THAN IT IS NOW WHY IS THAT?

>> YEAH, WE WENT THROUGH A REAL GROWTH SPIRIT.

WE HAD GREAT RACES, WE ACTUALLY GOT TO CHOOSE WHAT RACES WE RACED ON THE WEEKENDS AND NOW THERE ARE FEW AND FAR BETWEEN.

IMPETUS TO BRING CYCLING BACK.HE WE HAVE THE OLYMPICS IN 2024 AND WE NEED TO GIVE THESE RACES TO THE KIDS SO THEY CAN DEVELOP IN THE STATES AND NOT GO OVER TO EUROPE TO RACE.

>> THAT'S WHAT THEY HAVE TO DO THEN BASICALLY?

THEY HAVE TO GO TO EUROPE TO STAY ACTIVE IN THE SPORT?

>> RIGHT WHEN I WAS GROWING UP WITH SOME VERY FAMOUS NAMES, WE GOT TO RACE A LOT OVER HERE ON HOME SOIL.

EUROPEANS WOULD COME OVER HERE QUITE OFTEN.

THIS IS TOM OPPORTUNITY TO SEE THAT LEVEL OF COMPETITION SO HAVE YOU TO GO OVER THERE WHICH IS ALWAYS A LITTLE MORE DIFFICULT.

>> IF OTHER STATES SEE THE SUCCESS OF THIS RACE IN MARYLAND DO DO YOU THINK IT MIGHT BE THE IMPETUS TO HAVE MORE RACES HERE?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

BECAUSE OUR SPORT IS SO UNIQUE.

WE ARE NOT IN A STADIUM, WE ARE NOT CONFINED.

WE DO NOT CHARGE GATE FEES OR TICKET PRICES.

YOU CAN GO OUT TO YOUR FRONT YARD AND SEE SOME OF THE BEST RIDERS IN THE WORLD GO RIGHT BY YOUR FRONT DOOR.

THAT'S SPECIAL.

>> 120 MILES IS AN ACHIEVEMENT.

>> 120 MILES IS HOW YOU LOOK AT IT.

WHEN THAT'S YOUR JOB, 120 MILES IS NOT SO LONG.

WHEN YOU ARE NOT FIT AND YOU ARE STARTING YOUR TRAINING, THAT IS A LONG WAY.

BUT THESE GUYS ARE GOING TO FINISH THIS RACE IN UNDER FOUR AND A HALF HOURS I BELIEVE.

>> AS WE GET CLOSER TO THE START OF THE RACE, LET'S GO BACK TO SPARKS.

>> WE ARE HERE AT THE SECOND ANNUAL MARYLAND CYCLING CLASSIC AT THE KELLY BENEFITS HEADQUARTERS AND I'M HERE WITH COLE, A MECHANIC WITH HUMID POWERED HEALTH.

HOW ARE YOU FEELING TODAY?

>> FEELING GREAT.

IT'S A WONDERFUL DAY.

I THIS I WE ARE ALL GOING TO LOVE IT.

>> YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT HYDRATION WHEN IT COMES TO THE RIDERS BUT DO YOU HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THEIR BICYCLES.

CAN YOU WALK US THROUGH ALL THE THINGS HAVE YOU TO DO TO GET THEM PREPARED TO RACE TODAY?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE HAVE BEEN OUT HERE FOR THE LAST TWO, THREE DAYS SETTING UP EQUIPMENT, RUNNING FOR YOU WILL THE BIKES.

THEY WERE FLOWN IN FROM EUROPE.

A LOT OF THE RACERS WERE IN BELGIUM RACING.

THE LOGISTICS TO GET ALL THAT HANDLED AND, BUT YOU KNOW, WE NEVER KNOW WHAT WOULD HAPPEN WITH THE BIKES WHEN THEY'RE FLYING OVER HERE FROM EUROPE.

WE ARE GOING WITH THE WHEELS, CHARGING BATTERIES, WE ARE UPDATING SOFTWARE, WHICH IS A NEW THING THESE DAYS.

NOT JUST TURNING WRENCHES.

>> UPDATING SOFTWARE.

THE BIKES ARE STATE-OF-THE-ART.

WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT SOFTWARE, WHAT KIND OF BIKES.

>> THEY ALL HAVE ELECTRIC DRIVE TRAINS NOW AND JUST LIKE YOUR PHONE, 2024, 2023, THE WORLD WE ARE LIVING IN NOW, FOR A LOT OF THE DEVICES TO WORK CORRECTLY, THEY REQUIRE THAT.

SO THAT'S A NEW COMPONENT OF BEING A MECHANIC.

10 YEARS AGO OBVIOUSLY WAS NOT A THING.

>> ONE MORE THING FOR YOU.

YOU ARE OUT ON THE COURSE TODAY.

YOU HAVE THE 121 MYSELF.

YOU ARE GOING TO BE IN A CAR LITERALLY FOLLOWING THE GROUP.

MECHANICAL MISHAP HAPPENED, YOUR MAIN RESPONSIBILITY IS TO DO WHAT?

>> WE JUMP OUT OF THE CAR.

WE HAVE TO IMMEDIATELY EVALUATE WHAT IS GOING ON.

HOPEFULLY THE RIDER COMMUNICATES TO THE DIRECTOR THAT THERE IS A FLAT.

YOU HAVE TO BE PREPARED FOR ANYTHING.

IF A CRASH HAPPENS.

>> YOU HAVE TO BE BE PREPARED FOR ANYTHING.

>> I R I LOVE THE MECHANICS.

YOU GUYS ARE THE UNSUNG HEROES THANK YOU FOR TAKING TIME TO TALK TO US TODAY.

>> THE RIDERS WILL BE CROSSING THE FINISH LINE AT THE INNER HARBOR.

THAT'S WHERE THE EVENT KICKED OFF THIS WEEK.

>> WE ARE GOING HAVE OVER 70,000 SPECTATORS UP AND DOWN THE REGION.

113 CYCLISTS FROM OVER 20 COUNTRIES.

SO THIS WEEKEND BALTIMORE CITY, BALTIMORE COUNTY, WE WILL BE THE POSTCARD OF THE WORLD.

>> AND BALTIMORE MAYOR BRANDON SCOTT SAID HE COULDN'T BE MORE EXCITED.

>> CYCLING HAS THE POWER TO TRANSCEND BOUNDARIES.

IT UNITES US, WHETHER WE ARE BEGINNERS OR SEASONED RIDERS, YOUNG, OLD OR MIDDLE LIKE MYSELF, CYCLING TEACHES US PERSEVERANCE AND BUILDS A SHARED COMMITMENT TO HEALTH AND WELL-BEING.

THE CITY OF BALTIMORE SHARES THOSE VALUES AND I'M THRILLED TO THAT WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO WELCOME THIS CELEBRATION BACK TO OUR GREAT CITY.

>> BALTIMORE COUNTY'S EXECUTIVE COULDN'T AGREE MORE.

>> WE ARE EXCITED TO SHOW OFF THOSE ROLLING HILLS OF BALTIMORE COUNTY.

WE WERE EXCITED TO HAVE THE FEEDBACK FROM THE PARTICIPANTS LAST YEAR ABOUT JUST HOW AMAZING OF A RIDE IT WAS FOR THEM THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE COURSE.

AND WE ARE JUST EXCITED TO SHARE WITH A GLOBAL STAGE.

ALL WE HAVE TO OFFER IN MARYLAND.

>> SCOTT MAGILL KNOWS A THINGS ABOUT THOSE HILLS IN BALTIMORE COUNTY THE ONLY MARYLANDER TAKING PART IN THE RACE.

>> IT'S GOING TO BE A HARD RACE FOR SURE, ESPECIALLY IN THE BEGINNING.

HOPEFULLY I'M USED TO THE HEAT AND HUMIDITY.

I THINK IT WILL SURPRISE A LOT OF PEOPLE HOW HOT 95° FEELS HERE VERSUS SOME OTHER PLACES.

>> MAGILL SAYS HE HOPES THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING OF A LONG RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE REGION AND BIKE RACING.

>> IT'S THE ONLY RACE IN AMERICA AND THE EAST COAST, I THINK, IS A GREAT PLACE FOR BIKE RACING TO , IN AMERICA.

SO, YOU KNOW, HOPEFULLY BALTIMORE CAN BE THE NEXT MAYBE HUB OF CYCLING IN AMERICA AND JUMP START TO RESTART, YOU KNOW, PROFESSIONAL CYCLING IN AMERICA, ESPECIALLY.

>> VISIT BALTIMORE C.E.O.

AL HUTCHISON EVENTS LIKE THE AMERICAN CYCLING CLASSIC HAVE THE POTENTIAL FOR BIG PAYOFFS FOR THE REGION.

>> AS EYES IN THE U.K. SEE THIS EVENT, BELGI, GERMANY, CANADA, ISRAEL, THEY'RE GOING TO SEE BALTIMORE, BALTIMORE COUNTY AND WHAT THEY MAY WANT TO DOS SEND THEIR SONS AND DAUGHTERS TO COLLEGE IN THIS REGION.

THEY MAY WANT TO BUY A HOME IN THIS REGIO THEY MAY WANT TO RELOCATE THEIR BUSINESS TO THIS REGION.

THAT'S CALLED LEVERAGE.

>> HUTCHINSON PREDICTS THE THE AMERICAN CYCLING CLASSIC WILL ONLY CONTINUE TO GROW.

>> WE NEED YOUR HELP TO TELL THE WORLD THAT LABOR DAY WEEKEND IS ALL ABOUT BALTIMORE, BALTIMORE COUNTY AND THE STATE OF MARYLAND.

>> AS THE COUNTDOWN TO THE START OF THE RACE CONTINUES, LET'S HEAD BACK TO SPARKS.

>> I'M HERE TO TOM-- GO AHEAD, GUYS.

>> TOM JUST FLEW SO EVER.

YOU WERE HERE LAST YEAR AT THE MARYLAND CYCLING CLASSIC, HAD A FANTASTIC RIDE.

HOW DO YOU DOUBLE THAT UP?

>> I MEAN LUCKILY THERE ARE A FEW SPOTS I COULD WHO HAVE UP IF I COMPARE IT TO LAST YEAR AND WE HAVE A GOOD TEAM HERE AND SO I THINK WE HAVE THE BEST CHANCE WE HAVE TO WIN THIS THING.

>> YEAH, THE WEATHER IS GOING TO PLAY A FACTOR.

THE COURSE ISEAVY IN THE BEGINNING OF THE RACE.

HOW DOES THAT PLAY INTO YOUR TEAM'S TACTICS?

>> YEAH, I MEAN, IT'S DEFINITELY SOMETHING TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION, JUST HOW HOT IT IS AND PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE THAT IT'S A TEAM SPORT, NOT JUST A TEAM SPORT AS IN THE TEAM ON THE FIELD, BUT ALSO THE GUYS IN THE BACK, BECAUSE WE'LL HAVE PEOPLE ON THE COURSE HANDING OUT BOTTLES AND ICE BECAUSE, YEAH, YOU GOT TO STAY HYDRATED AND STAY COOL.

THAT'S GOING TO BE ONE OF THE KEY FACTORS TODAY TO W THIS THING.

>> OF ALL THE TEAMS HERE, WHICH TEAMS CONCERN YOU, LIKE I HAVE TO KEEP MY EYES ON THESE GUYS.

>> NO TEAM CONCERNS US.

BUT WE JUST NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE THERE.

YEAH, BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT IF WE ARE ON IT, THERE IS NOT REALLY ANYONE THAT CAN BEAT US.

>> WELL, I LOVE THAT.

NO ONE CAN BEAT THEM.

ONE OF THE BEST RIDERS HERE AT THE MARYLAND CYCLING CLATSIC CLASSIC.

WISHING YOU LUCK TODAY.

>> NOW THAT'S CONFIDENCE.

I LIKE THAT.

>> THAT IS CONFIDENCE RAHSAAN.

I CAN'T REALLY SAY THAT WE USED TO DO THAT BUT WHEN YOU HAVE THE STRONGEST TEAM, I GUESS YOU CAN AFFORD THAT SORT OF CONFIDENCE -6789S.

>> WELL, AS PART ATTRACTING NEW RIDERS TO THE SPORT, BICYCLE RACING SPORT, A COMMUNITY BIKE JAM TOOK PLACE, MPT'S CHARLES ROBINSON WASHERE.

>> THEY'RE IN SEVENTH HEAVEN.

THEY'RE ONE OF THE MANY STUDENTS AT THE WILLIAM PACA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WHO RECEIVED BRAND NEW BIKES, CRTESY OF THE MARYLAND CYCLING CLASSIC AND UNITED HEALTHCARE.

>> A LOT OF PARENTS AND WORKING CLASS ARE TRYING TO GET BACK ON THEIR FEET.

SO SOMETHING OF THIS MAG ANY MAGNITUDE IS NOT A PRIORITY.

IT'S A PRESENT.

A GIFT.

AND IT GIVES THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPAND THEIR HORIZON AND THEIR GROWTH.

>> I'M AT THE BIKE JAMBOREE AT PATTERSON PARK WHERE PARENTS AND KIDS GET A CHANCE TO RIDE THEIR BIKES ON A ONE AND A HALF MILE SLOW TRACK.

>> WE CAME LAST YEAR AND HAD A LOT OF FUN.

MY SON STARTED RIDING A PEDAL BIKE LAST SUMMER SO THAT WAS VERY EXCITING TO PARTICIPATE LAST SUMMER.

NOW A YEAR IN, HE IS, YOU KNOW, LIKES BEING ABLE TO JOIN THE FUN WITH EVERYBODY ELSE.

>> IN ADDITION TO THE RIDE, THERE WERE SEVERAL STATIONS WHERE BIKERS COULD GET MAINTENANCE.

I HELMET SAFETY CHECK AREA AND THE RULES OF THE ROAD SAFETY STATION.

MORE IMPORTANTLY, IT'S A CHANCE TO PARTICIPATE WITH OTHERS WHO ENJOY CYCLING.

I'M CHARS ROBBIN'SON FOR THE MPT SPORTS DESK.

>> IT IT IS GETTING EXCITING AS WE COUNTDOWN TO THE START OF THE RACE.

LET'S HEAD BACK TO SPARKS AND ONCE AGAIN JOIN RAHSAAN.

>> I'M HERE WITH ANOTHER DYNAMIC RIDER, NEILSEN POLLACK.

EVERYBODY WANTS TO TALK TO YOU.

YOU HAD AN INCREDIBLE RIDE LAST YEAR.

HOW ARE YOU FEELING THIS MORNING?

>> THIS IS MY ONLY BIKE RACE IN AMERICA ALL YEAR SO I WANT TO MAKE THE MOST OF IT.

>> SPEAKING OF ONLY BIKE RACE IN AMERICA, IT'S THE ONLY UCI BIG TIME BIKE RACE IN AMERICA THAT IS GOING ON AND WE ARE HERE IN BALTIMORE.

HOW COOL IS THAT?

>> IT'S AWESOME.

IT WAS PRETTY EASY TO GET TO FROM EUROPE AND I WAS JUST IN TEXAS RIGHT BEFORE HERE AND YEAH, IT'S A BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY SIDE JUST CHECKING OUT MARYLAND.

NEVER SPENT MUCH TIME HERE BUT RIDING THROUGH THE HILLS, AN AWESOME PLACE TO RIDE A BIKE.

>> LAST YEAR YOU HAD AN INCREDIBLE RIDE, CAME UP A LITTLE SHORT.

HOW ARE YOU FEELING ABOUT YOUR CHANCES THIS YEAR, ANY ADJUSTMENTS.

>> I GOT THIRD IN THE SMALL SPRINT SO I DON'T WANT TO LET THAT HAPPEN AGAIN.

>> I THINK YOU ARE ONE OF THE FAVORITES BY FAR.

YOU SPEND A LOT OF TIME IN HOUSTON NOW.

VERY HOT.

IS THAT GOING TO, YOU KNOW, PLAY INTO YOUR STRATEGY TODAY?

HOFULLY SOME ATTRITION?

>> DEFINITELY.

I THINK IT PAID OFF BECAUSE TODAY IS GOING TO BE PRETTY WARM.

GOING TO BE ABOUT 95° AND IN HOUSTON, THERE WERE A FEW DAYS ABOUT 110 SO I GOT SOME GOOD HEAT TRAINING IN AND HOPEFULLY IT PAYS OFF FOR ME TODAY.

>> AS WE ALL KNOW, CYCLING IS A TEAM SPORT SO YOU ARE NOT THE ONLY ONE ON THE TEAM.

THE OTHER GUYS ARE HERE TO RACE.

HOW ARE THEY LOOKING?

ANY PLAN B, YOU KNOW, RIDERS THAT WE SHOULD BE LOOKING OUT FOR?

>> ONE OF THE KEY RIDERS IS TOM SCULLY, HE SET ME UP FOR THE RIDE FIFTH PLACE IN FLANDERS THIS YEAR.

HE BASICALLY CREATEDDED THE MOVE THAT ALLOWED ME TO GET UP THE ROAD.

HE IS A REALLY STRONG RIDER TO CONTROL THE RACE AND RIDER LIKE ANOTHER DANISH RIDER KEY ON THE FINAL CIRCUITS BECAUSE HE CAN GO PRETTY DEEP INTO A RACE AS WELL.

WE ARE GOING TO BE TRYING TO STAY TOGETHER AND WORKING TOGETHER ON THE FINAL FEW CIRCUITS.

>> AWESOME, PLAN.

BEFORE WE LET YOU GO.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AMAZING TO BE RACING ON YOUR BIRTHDAY AND WISH YOU AND YOUR TEAM GOOD LUCK.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> SO YOU HEARD IT.

NELLSON, GREAT TEAM.

A LOT OF PEOPLE AROUND HIM TO SPORT HIM.

COMING FROM HOUSTON WHERE HE HAS BEEN ACCLIMATING TO THE HEAT AND GOING TO BE A GOOD HARD, FAST RACE COMING UP HERE SOON.

>> THAT'S GOING TO BE A BIG ADVANTAGE FOR HIM.

I WAS SURPRISED WHEN I SAW ON SOCIAL MEDIA THAT HE MOVED TO HOUSTON.

BUT NOW IT MAKES SENSE WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THE APPETIZER, WHICH IS THE WAY DOWN TO BALTIMORE HARBOR.

ONCE THEY GET ON TO THE CIRCUITS, WHAT SORT OF CHALLENGES DOES THAT CIRCUIT GIVE TO THE RIDERS?

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE CIRCUIT ON PAPER, IT LOOKS LIKE A SIMPLE CIRCUIT BUT THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS, THE RACE IS GOING TO START VERY SOON AND IT'S VERY HEAVY IN THE BEGINNING OF THE RACE A LOT OF HARD THINGS HAPPEN IN THE BEGINNING OF THE RACE.

IF YOU MAKE IT TO THE CIRCUIT, THE LEGS ARE GOING TO BE FATIGUED.

I THINK IF YOU CAN GO BACK TO LAST YEAR, THEY CAME TO THE CIRCUIT WITH A NICE GROUP.

I THINK IT WAS MAYBE 12 TO 15 RIDERS AND BY THE END THEY WERE DOWN TO FIVE OR SIX.

SO IT'S GOING TO BE A HARD, HEAVY RACE.

I THINK FROM THE BEGINNING AND IF YOU CAN MAKE IT TO THE CIRCUIT, YOU ARE ONE OF THE LUCKY ONES WITH THE GOOD LEG TZ.

>> THE ROADS WILL BE CLOSED.

>> I RECKON MOST OF THE RIDERS SAW THE BIG LOOP IN BALTIMORE COUNTY AND DIDN'T PAY TOOUCH ATTENTION TO THE CLOSING LAPS DOWN IN THE HARBOR.

LIKE I SAID, IF THEY GET A CHANCE TO GET ON THE CIRCUIT, THEY WILL SEE THAT TICKETER PLENTY OF TIMES BEFORE THEY HAVE TO FINISH.

THE MAIN THING ABOUT THE CIRCUIT IS THE FINISH.

THE FINISH IS A VERY,ERY LONG WAY AND IF I RECALL FROM LAST YEAR, HE WENT VERY, VERY EARLY AND NEAR GLOIT CAUGHT.

SO YOU REALLY HAVE TO TIME IT PERFECTLY BECAUSE IT IS A HEAD WIND AND EXTREMELY LONG.

>> WELL, LAST YEAR RAHSAAN, IF THAT FINAL SPRINT, IT LOOKED LIKE THE WINNER OF LAST YEAR'S RACE THAT HIS WHEELS, HIS BACK WHEEL WAS GOING FROM SIDE TO SIDE.

IS IT STILL A BRICK SURFACE OR DID THEY RESURFACE THE TARMAC A LITTLE BIT 23.

>> IT IS THE SAME.

HE WAS SO FAR TO THE RIGHT IN THE GUTTER AND SO PERHAPS RIDING IN THE CENTER OF THE ROAD WILL BE A LITTLE SMOOTHER.

BUT THAT IS GOING TO BE UP TO THE RIDERS TO MAKE THAT DECISION AT A GAME TIME DECISION.

BUT I REALLY DO THINK IT'S GOING TO COME DOWN T A SMALL GROUP LIKE LAST YEAR, I'M A SPRINTER SO WOULD I LOVE TO SEE A BIG MASSIVE SPRINT TO THE FINISH LINE BUT THAT'S GIVING THE TERRAIN AND HEAT AND EVERYTHING ELSE AND THE WORLD TOUR TEAMS THAT ARE HERE THAT REALLY LIKE TO TURN IT UP, I THINK WE WILL NOT SEE THAT.

RAHSAD SAN, YOU HAVE BEEN IN THE-- RAHSAAN, YOU HAVE BEEN IN THE SITUATION WHERE THE RIDERS ARE ABOUT TO START.

WHAT IS IT LIKE MOMENTS BEFORE YOU START THE RACE.

YOU KNOW IT'S A LONG WAY TO GO.

YOU ARE OPTIMISTIC THAT YOU ARE GOING TO PUT UP A GOOD SHOWING BUT WHAT IS GOING THROUGH THEIR MINDS RIGHT NOW?

>> YEAH, SO EACH RIDER HAS A DIFFERENT TASK, RIGHT?

SO SOME OF THE RIDERS, THEIR JOB IS TO GET ON THE FRONT RIGHT AWAY AND DRILL IT OR WATCH MOVES THAT ARE GOING UP THE ROAD AND THE MAIN RIDERS, IT'S THEIR JOB TO START THE RACE SLOW SO THEY CAN FINISH FAST.

SO THEY'RE GOING TO BE HIDING OUT.

SO IF YOU ARE ONE OF THE GUYS THAT HAVE TO WORK HARD IN THE BEGINNING, YOU ARE LOCKED IN.

YOU ARE TOTALLY FUELED UP, PROBABLY HAD SOME GELS IN YOU ALREADY AND THE OTHER RIDERS THATRE SAVED FOR LATER IN THE RACE ARE A LITTLE MORE RELAXED THINKING ABOUT WHERE THE PIVOTAL PARTS OF THE RACE ARE GOING TO HAPPEN AND THAT'S WHEN THEY'RE GOING TO BE ON THE ATTACK.

TWO OR THREE DIFFERENT STRATEGIES FOR ALL OF THE PLAYERS OUT HERE AND I JUST CAN'T WAIT FOR THE RACE TO GET GOING RAHSAD RAHSAAN, GREAT STUFF.

BE CAREFUL GOING DOWNTOWN.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

HE IS TALKING ABOUT THE EXCEEDMENT THAT THE RIDERS ARE GOING THROUGH.

YOU HAVE BEEN THERE.

WHAT IS THAT LIKE MOMENTS NOW LITERALLY BEFORE YOU START?

WE JUST HEARD THE NATIONAL ANTHEM.

IT'S THEIR TIME TO SHINE.

THEY NEED TO COME THROUGH.

THIS IS THEIR CHANCE TO NOT ONLY MAKE A BIG IMPACT IN THIS RACE BUT MAKE SOME GET SOME ATTENTION FROM THE WORLD TOUR TEAM WE WANT TO INVITE TO YOU KEEP IT HERE FOR THE CYCLING EXCITEMENT THIS LABOR DAY WEEKEND.

THE START OF THE RACE A COUPLE MINUTES AWAY.

WE'LL SEE YOU AT THE FINISH LINE ON PRATT STREET IN BALTIMORE CITY.