This past weekend, the UA cycling team competed in the 2014 USA Cycling Collegiate Road Nationals in Richmond, Va., with one team finishing eighth.

No. 16 Arizona competed against more than 50 Division I college club teams.

Over the three days, the team had eight club members compete in three different events. It had a four-man team that placed eighth. On Saturday, Allison Alterman placed 52nd in the Women’s Division I criterium race. For the Men’s Division I criterium race, four students participated, and Max Rich placed 19th.

“Everyone who competed did very well,” junior Quinn Keogh said. “It was a shame that not everyone could compete this weekend as it is finals week.”

The Arizona cycling club has been riding around the UA campus since 1984. Under USA Cycling, the club team is a part of the Southwest Collegiate Cycling Conference.

“We spend a lot of time throughout the year riding our bikes,” Keogh said. “Even if it is noncompetitive, we do lots of weekend riding trips for fun.”

Like many UA club sports, the cycling team is not recognized by the NCAA, and in turn, the team has no funding from the school.

“I am a big advocate for supporting cycling as a college varsity sport,” Keogh said. “We race against many schools that are recognized by their university and get funding, but unfortunately, that is not us.”

Although the cycling team does not officially have a coach, Joey Iuliano has been the driving force behind the team’s continued presence in the cycling community.

Later this month, some members of the cycling team will participate in the Mountain Bike Association of Arizona Flagstaff Frenzy Race.

Keough said he is interested in having new recruits for the team for this upcoming school year.
“We are ambitious about the athletic part of riding,” Keough said, “but we want people to get involved at any level.”

To join the club, it is $35 annually. Appropriate equipment is recommended to join the club, but it is not necessary. Through various sponsorships, the team may be able to help some students get the appropriate equipment to be successful on the team for this upcoming school year.

—Follow Daniela Vizcarra @Vizcarra_dw