CRCA/Blue Ribbon-Translations.com Cycling Team

Riders

Salvatore Abbruzzese can TT extremely well, that he got 3rd in the recent Mengoni in a break he initiated (his third of the race) and that he always reminds us to race with fire in our bellies.
Mark Alden lives with his wife and daughter in Montvale NJ. He has been the service manager at Campmor bike shop since 1995. After about a decade of riding/racing street and dirt motorcycles Mark switched to bicycles (around1989) in search of more economic 2 wheeled fun. After doing the occasional race during the 90's Mark started to race steadily in 2000 and worked his way up to cat 2. Past wins include 2008 Balloon Festival (30+/40+), 2005 Jockey Hollow Challenge (35+), 2004 North Stonington Classic (cat3), 2004 Unionvale RR (cat3) Other results include a 2nd at Unionvale 2008 (35+), 4th overall at the 2007 GMSR (30+), 2nd at Battenkill 2007 (30+), 2nd at Jiminy Peak 2007 (35+). Mark also occasionally makes some art.
Joe Azze hasn't allowed much to be known about himself except that he's a personal trainer for a living and racing at the semi-pro level, he's really fast on a mountain bike. We were going to write more about Joe and make up ridiculous stories for his bio, but Joe's a nice guy so we'll just leave it at that.
Andy Collins is new to the squad for 2009 and adds a strong addition to the Cat 3 and Masters teams. Off the bike Andy is a very talented painter and shows at the Mary Boone Gallery here in NYC, the Marc Foxx Gallery in Los Angeles and the Corvi-Mora Gallery in London. He lives in Brooklyn with his wife Ashley and their dog Lada.
Eddie Espitia has been racing since 1995 and enjoys all aspects of racing. He has raced all over the country and world including races such as Superweek in Wisconsin, the Tour of Ohio and last year the Vuelta de Colombia Senior Master. He has won criteriums at the Tour of Ohio and hilly road races such as the Bear Mountain Spring Classic. Eddie has worked as an auditor in the past and is currently working as a hedge fund accountant. He rides to work a short 10-mile commute on a daily basis. His other interest includes mixing house music with his two turntables, and he also holds a private pilot license.
Paul Levis currently lives in Briarcliff Manor, NY with his wife Bekki. He works as a financial planner at Summit Financial Consultants in Yonkers, NY. He first started participating in endurance sports in high school when he joined the track team. He ran the 400 meter, 800 meter, 1600 meter and Cross Country. He then went on to run track at Villanova University and was coached by Marcus O'Sullivan, three time World Indoor Championships gold medalist and member of Ireland's Olympic team. An unfortunate knee injury resulted in a premature end to his running career. Unable to run he turned to cycling to keep in shape. After one summer of riding he realized he missed the competition he enjoyed when running track. He fell in love with the speeds and tactics that racing entails. He currently holds a USCF Category 2 license and a level 3 coaching license. His strengths on the bike include climbing and time trials.
Xavier Meléndez is Interactive Development Manager at American Express Publishing. Some of his industry recognized work includes streaming video, podcasts, and microsites. On the bike, Xavier is often riding off the front or racing the clock in time trials to top finishes in both local and regional races. Some of his experiences include racing for several years in Boulder, Colorado, competing all over the country, and more recently racing at the 2004 Milk Rás, a UCI-ranked 8-day stage race through picturesque Ireland. Ever the romantic, he proposed to his then fiancée after completing the last stage of the event with the "Ring of the Rás" engagement ring he had tucked under his jersey for good luck. Xavier happily lives with his lovely wife Rachel and daughter Sadie in Manhattan.
Jason Parkin is freelance Creative Director focusing on Interactive Design and Motion-Graphics, and a Founding Partner of MobileCorridor, which designs and builds custom mobile solutions; specializing in iPhone applications for business and creative customers. A Cat 3 on the road and cyclocross, Jason is looking forward to a stronger season in 2010, and in the off-season keeps true to Central Park playing pick-up ice hockey at Lasker Rink. He lives in the antithesis of hip neighborhoods, the Upper East Side, with his dog Jasper.
Thomas Pennell manages Pennell Venture Partners, a venture capital firm. Thomas started racing bikes in 2000. Results in the last year include podium finishes in the Spring Bear Mountain 40+ race as well as in the Bermuda Grand Prix 40+ road race, criterium and GC. Prior results he is likely to recall in times of poor form include a 4th in the Cat 3 Green Mountain Stage Race GC; 2nd place finishes at the Cat 3 Bear Mountain, 40+ Coupe des Ameriques road race, and masters Pete Senia race (the latter taking place the day after the far more significant birth of son Reed—yes, thank you Stephanie); as well as a solo road race win and GC win at the Bermuda Grand Prix. Thomas leaves to his teammates the squabbling over who has the best looks, quickest wit and greatest ability to exaggerate accomplishments.