Freddie Rodriguez, riding for Jelly Belly Cycling presented by Kenda, left, celebrates his fourth National Championship win, out-sprinting the men’s peloton on Market Street in downtown Chattanooga during the USA Cycling Professional Road National Championships. Rodriguez won his fourth National Championship Monday which will allow him to wear the “Stars and Stripes” jersey once again for 2013.
Cylclists make their way down Douglas Street during the USA Cycling Professional Road National Championships.Every sport needs its referees, and professional cycling is no different.
Well, except for the fact that these officials are ensuring order and fair play while riding a motorcycle, radioing officials and team directors and keeping track of riders scattered along the course — all while weaving in and out of traffic among cyclists, team cars and thousands of fans lining the sides of the roads.
Chattanooga resident Tony Carroll served as one of the race officials this past weekend during the USA Cycling Professional Road and Time Trial National Championships.
“I’m basically the eyes and ears for the referees that are in the cars,” Carroll said. “There are four commissars that ride in the com cars, and we observe and keep track of the riders on the road.
“For example, when a rider starts dropping off the field, we’ll drop back and get their numbers and radio them back to the com cars.”