Pace Group Captains
The VUELTA counts on a special group of men and women who will serve as Pace Group Captains in each of the three riding groups. They will provide riders with the guidance and leadership necessary to ensure everyone’s success!
GROUP A: Self Guided, Self Paced led by Road Captains (fast, hammerhead group)
Eric Goetz-Rivera, Washington D.C. (by way of Cupey, PR)
Eric not only holds the world record for a four-person, mixed team in the Race Across America (RAAM), but he has ridden every VUELTA since our inception. Check him out at www.xtreme4.com
Carlos Lomba-Skerrett, Guaynabo, PR
A former swimmer holding a Silver Medal from the Central American and Caribbean Games, Carlos has been Central American, Caribbean, and World Champion in Triathlon so many times that we have lost count. He has also ridden every VUELTA since our inception.
Axel Santiago, Mayaguez, PR
Axel earned the title of “Best Young Cyclist” in the Tour of the Americas during his six-year professional cycling career and even raced against Tour de France winners Pedro Delgado and Miguel Indurain. See how he can make you a better cyclist at www.ciclistacompleto.com.
GROUP B: 18 mph Average Self Guided led by Road Captains
Kenneth Carino from Trujillo Alto, PR.
Started swimming as a kid and later discovered cycling in his ambition to become a triathlete. Has completed numerous IRONMAN around the World including the 70.3 World Championships 2007, full marathons, cycling centuries, a 400 km brevet and has been in La VUELTA since its inception. Now coaches others under "Coach K Endurance Specialist" in disciplines such as swimming, cycling, running & triathlons of all distances. Has been Road Captain of La Vuelta since its inception.
Ignacio "Nacho" Lopez from San Juan, PR.
Windsurfing background since age 15 participating in several regattas in his younger days. Snowboarder, skin-diver, kite surfer, "lousy/bad surfer" and skateboarder. Started mountain biking races in 1985, 24 hr mountain bike duo finisher and just completed Camino de Santiago in Spain 2009 on a mountain bike. Bike Tour of Colorado 2005, Georgia's Six Gap 2005 and completed Paris Brest Paris 2007 in 87 hours. Uncanny sense of humor under any situation. Has been in La VUELTA since our inception and makes his debut as Road Captain in 2010.
Francisco "Gallo Buster" Garcia from Guaynabo, PR.
He just completed Camino de Santiago in Spain with "Nacho" on a mountain bike, completed Paris Brest Paris 2007 in 87 hours, Georgia's Six Gap Century 2005. Numerous IRONMAN finishes all over the World, marathoner, open water swimmer and enjoys anything that has anything to o with endurance. Earned his affectionate nickname of "Gallo Buster" after ending the life of a rooster during a sunday morning bike ride. Always lugging his bike from airport to airport, Frankie has been in La VUELTA since our inception and makes his debut as Road Captain in 2010.
Crissy Gonzalez from Annapolis, MD.
Lifetime athlete started as a tennis player representing Puerto Rico in her younger days earning numerous international accolades. Ranked among the best tennis players in the United States later turned to the bike in an effort to complete an IRONMAN. Eventually did Hawaii and is now ranked among the Worlds Best in her age group. Enjoys La VUELTA most and makes her debut as La VUELTA Road Captain in 2010.
Raul Negron Casasnovas from San Juan, PR.
Super Randonneur, Paris Brest Paris 2007, Georgia's Six Gap Century 2005, mountain bike racer for 5 yrs, 24 hr mountain bike Solo Finisher, 3 time finisher of the Puerto Rico Survivor MTB challenge endurance race. Surfer, windsurfer, snowboarder, tennis player, all around athlete. Don't expect him to ever appear to even be remotely tired. La VUELTA veteran and makes his debut as La VUELTA Road Captain in 2010.
GROUP C: 15 mph average Guided and led by Road Captains
Alfred Bobe, Jr. from Brooklyn, NY transplanted from Aguadilla, PR.
New York City's bike messenger extraordinaire, by far, bar none, the best. Winner of numerous races around the world. He is known as Americas fastest messenger on a track bike Alfred and won the North American Cycle Courier Championships in Portland, Ore. several years ago. Featured in short film "Messenger" (2005) filmed in NYC by Cinecycle and in Hutchinson Tire You Tube short. Riding the VUELTA since its inception Alfred brings warmth, a smile and and one very popular tattoo.
Monique Morell from Guaynabo, PR.
Started as a swimmer at the age of 6 earning silver and gold medals in international swimming competitions in the Dominican Republic and Cuba. Road racer with Warriors in Pink in 2008. Runner in multiple 10K's and currently training for the 2009 Chicago Marathon. Winner of several sprint triathlons in Puerto Rico. Played soccer, is a mother of three and works outside the home, full time. Monique brings leadership and has been VUELTA Road Captain in the past.
Eduardo Paez aka "El Ironman Criollo" from Trujillo Alto, PR.
Super randonneur having completed 200, 300, 400 and 600 km rides in 2007 under the auspices of Audax Club Parisien qualified for Paris Brest Paris that same year. With multiple centuries and leadership in La VUELTA since its inception, Eduardo brings honest leadership, care & warmth to the peloton. His most recent gig includes being the first to complete a 140.6 mile triathlon in Puerto Rico, Criollo Style, all alone, July 28, 2009 and under REALLY tough circumstances, starting with 98 degree heat at 2:00 pm. Criollo could be defined as "having a local flavor".
Steven Rolon from Caguas, PR.
Started in volleyball as a kid. Has been in cycling for 15 yrs having participated in 4 Mountain Bike Survivor Challenge of Puerto Rico (3 time finisher), 200 km and 300 km brevets and led the experimental San Juan City Bike Tour 2009. Amateur tennis player, avid runner. Enjoys La VUELTA most and makes his debut as La VUELTA Road Captain in 2010.
Maria del Pilar "Maripili" Vazquez from Bayamon, PR.
Maripili is best described as a former track and field runner, mother of three who works full time in her own indoor cycling studio and late bloom athletic prowess. She started her cycling debut in Ciclismo de la Mujer BRAVA 2007 an all women century ride in Puerto Rico. She fell in love with the sport and has been on the saddle since. Numerous centuries later Marilipi has also completed 200 and 300 km brevets as she sets her eyes on Paris Brest Paris 2011. Led the experimental San Juan City Bike Tour of 2009 and as VUELTA Veteran since its inception, she now makes her dayview as Road Captain in 2010.
Lanterne Rouge
The 2010 VUELTA will feature 2 riders that will function as “Lanterne Rouge” or “Caboose” of the peloton. These two riders will be the absolute last two arrivals at the conclusion of each riding day. In case anyone has fears about being the last rider in, sorry, but the job is already taken!
Piero Delgado, San Juan, PR
Bar none, Piero is the quintessential Randonneur of Puerto Rico. Having completed Paris Brest Paris in 2007 (Hor's Delay, 96 hours) and Colorado's Last Chance 1200 km, Piero is one of those cyclist that will make anyone eat dust at an average speed of 15 mph. Any situation you can think of on a bike and he will have a solution that will help you reach your next stop.
Ramon Berrios, Guaynabo, PR
Ramon never really got into athletics until he discovered road cycling a few years ago. Since then, he has amassed an impressive resume of cycling and running feats, including participating in Paris-Brest-Paris in 2007 and the New York City Marathon. Look for him in the back of the pack at the 2010 VUELTA!
We are very proud to have this fine group of men and women as part of our team and look forward to having them among us for many years to come.
Do you wish to be a future Road Captain? Ride the VUELTA three times, then drop us a note at ... info@vueltapr.com