Crit Racing,
American Style.

With fast racing, big crowds, and even bigger prize pots, the US crit scene is for many riders, a bucket-list experience. For HUNT athlete, Megan Barker, it was time to tick that box.

We caught up with Megan mid-racing block to talk about the experience. From Tour of Somerville to Tulsa Tough, here’s what it’s really like racing America’s biggest crits.

Why did you decide to head to the US for the crit racing scene?

Crit racing is huge in the US and it’s something I’ve always wanted to experience and tick off my cycling career ‘bucket list.’

The scene is heightened over here, more atmosphere, prize money and professionalism, with multiple teams specialising in US crit racing.

Was there a particular event or series that you have focused on?

On this trip we have competed in Easton Crit, Tour of Somerville (the longest running bike race in the US), Armed Forces and Tulsa Tough.

There are so many races to choose from but this 3 week block allowed us to race 7 times and hit some of the biggest races.

How does the US crit scene compare to what you've experienced in the UK/Europe?

The crits in the US have generally been a bit less technical than the majority of our races in the UK. Race radios are allowed so riders get information from team staff/each other and also laps out are allowed for crashes and some mechanicals. These differences in rules can take a bit of getting used to!

The teams are more professional in the way they ride as a team, the lead outs are really organised and the battle for position in the last 10 laps is a lot more difficult if you don’t have a team around you to help.

What was your first impression of an American crit race?

My first impression was that the riding is a lot more aggressive over here. I was a bit shocked when I was being elbowed for position 1 lap in to a 75 minute race! Holding position near the front is a constant battle and you have to go in to each race mentally prepared for that.

What’s your racing setup been like while in the US?

I’m racing on my 2024 Canyon Aeroad CFR with Hunt 54_58 Aerodynamicist Carbon Spoke wheels. Most of the races so far have come down to a bunch sprint and I couldn’t be more confident that I’m running the best equipment out there to sprint for the line.

What’s the community like around crit racing in the US?

They have such a great community here. The same people travel around the US and compete almost every weekend through the season here so everyone knows each other really well.

We have gotten to know some riders from the other teams quite well in a short amount of time, and met up for coffees or group rides in between races which has been nice. The racing is competitive but off the bike everyone has been lovely.

What’s next after the US racing block?

We head home with a couple of weeks to recover before the National crit champs, one of the biggest goals of the season. Then straight in to the National crit series, where we will race 6 times throughout July. It’s going to be a busy block of racing for the team, travelling all over the UK.

Best American race you’ve done so far?

My favourite race so far has been Tour of Somerville. It’s America’s longest running bike race. The atmosphere there was amazing, there were people all around the course and lots of different races going on. It helps that I also got on the podium so maybe I’m a little biased!

If you could bring one thing from the US crit scene back home, what would it be?

I’m hoping I’ve learned a lot about positioning, especially in the last 10 laps or so. It’s so important to fight to stay in the top 10 riders, so I’d like to keep the mindset and use it for some UK crit racing soon!

It would also be great if we could bring the same level of prize money to the UK scene, haha! The prize pot for some of the races can be around $10,000 plus primes.