There will be no roar from Into the Lion’s Den Powered by SRAM this fall, as event founder Justin Williams (L39ION of Los Angeles) announced the popular criterium with one of the nation’s largest payouts would be postponed until next year.
Taking to his personal Instagram to make the announcement one week ago, Justin Williams said, “After much contemplation, I’ve decided to postpone Into the Lion’s Den until 2023. I only have so much energy, and I’ve decided to focus on my goal of building community; I’m prioritizing L39ION’s event resources to produce an additional junior day camp, community rides, and outreach programming.”
SRAM had indicated it would return for a second year as a top sponsor for Into the Lion’s Den, scheduled for Saturday, September 10 in Sacramento. Last year, the invitation-only event was held on October 30 on a one-kilometre circuit around the California Capitol grounds, with the start/finish line located on 11th Street and N Street.
The inaugural event paid out $100,000 for 140 minutes of racing, with the cash prizes distributed evenly to the top 10 riders and primes in each race for women and men. Olivia Ray (then with Rally Cycling) won the overall title for women, with Kendall Ryan (L39ION of Los Angeles) in second and Amy Pieters (Team SD Worx) in third. Justin Williams won the pro men’s event, with Luke Lamperti (Trinity Racing) in second and L39ION’s Cory Williams in third.
In addition to community outreach and overseeing the second edition of the pro races, Justin Williams has had a full season of racing for the L39ION of Los Angeles squad. He is currently with his brother Cory Williams in England at the Commonwealth Games, where they will compete in cycling events representing Belize. The brothers are expected to both compete in the Warwick Road Race on Sunday, while Cory Williams will compete in the individual time trial on Thursday.
Intelligentsia Cup crowns Omnium winners
The Intelligentsia Cup concluded Sunday with the 10-day criterium series taking place in the Chicago area of Illinois for its 10th anniversary edition, July 22-31. Nine of the 10 races (excluding Juy 27’s road race) were part of an Omnium competition.
Marlies Mejias Garcia (Virginia’s Blue Ridge TWENTY24) dominated the women’s Pro 1/2 division as she amassed seven podiums, including four wins. Paola Muñoz…
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