QUICK LAP: The SCAD Atlanta Cycling Teams traveled to Anniston, Alabama for the Southeastern Cycling Conference Road Bike Championships. The event was the Pro Series opener for USA Crits, which also served as the Collegiate Conference Finals. This made it a uniquely competitive weekend, blending the intensity of professional racing with the energy and tactics of top collegiate teams. The race draws seasoned pros and elite collegiate riders from across the country, and the Bees went in with strong momentum. Conditions on the day were challenging; it was windy, the pavement was choppy in sections, and the course was fast and dry—ideal for aggressive racing and breakaways but demanding in terms of handling and positioning. The race was chosen because of its dual role in our season—a key USA Crits opener and our Collegiate Conference Finals, making it both a proving ground and a high-stakes finale. The teams entered with expectations to perform at a high level, and riders delivered strong, tactical, and courageous races throughout the weekend.

On the women's side, Tatiana Dueñas consistently initiated breakaways and launched multiple attacks, dominating both the pro and collegiate races with bold, repeated efforts. In the men's field, Gabe Payne had an animated and aggressive performance, spending much of the pro race off the front in a breakaway that held a ~18 second gap on the field, until the final prime laps caused a shuffle. Sam Mayer had a phenomenal result, finishing 4th out of 99 riders in the Pro Men's race—one of the best showings of the weekend.

INDIVIDUAL SCORES

• Tatiana Dueñas (Bogotá, Columbia / Painting): 7th Place - College Race
• Ines Mendes Nieto (Numancia De La Sagra, Toledo, Spain / Industrial Design): 13th Place - College Race
• Sam Mayer (Franklin, Tenn. / Advertising & Branding): 4th Place - Pro Race
• Vicente Hernaiz Santamaria (Arroyo De la Encomienda, Valladolid, Spain / UX Design): 8th Place - Pro Race
• Gabe Payne (Austin, Tex. / Industrial Design): 15th Place - Pro Race

DID YOU KNOW? Sam Mayer's 4th place finish in the Pro Men's Race marks a new record for the SCAD Atlanta Men's Cycling Team. The Men's team finished 4th out of 99 Teams in the Pro Men's Races. 

WHAT'S NEXT? The Bees take on local criterium races, USA Crits, in Hapeville and Newnan, Georgia on April 11^th and 12^th.