9W Race

The OBK Cycling Team took on the iconic 9W Sprint Race—a 25-mile showdown starting at Strictly Bicycles in Fort Lee, NJ, with a sprint to The 9W Market in Palisades, NY, and back. The race kicked off at 3:15 PM on an unexpectedly hot September afternoon, but the heat did nothing to slow down the excitement or the competition.

As racers gathered, there was a palpable buzz in the air. With an impressive lineup of prizes on the table, anticipation built quickly, and the OBK crew was more than ready to give it their all. Orion, one of the event’s sponsors, brought their A-game, offering a range of gear from the Rigel collection, featuring everything from the sleek Amethyst jersey to the ultra-practical Rigel HydroPack.

A huge shoutout goes to Diego, the event’s organizer, who ensured everything ran like clockwork. With teams lining up for the mass start, the 9W Sprint promised to be fierce. From the moment the peloton launched, riders were eyeing each other, waiting to see who would make the first move.

Once on the 9W Parkway, a breakaway formed, splintering the field into smaller groups. OBK had two riders in the chase group pushing hard. They held strong all the way to the checkpoint at The 9W Market, knowing the notorious hill climb just after would be the race’s pivotal moment.

After the turn, it was game on. The long hill climb became a test of strength and tactics. OBK’s riders worked together in the second chase group, conserving energy and keeping tabs on their competitors. This is where Max and Alex made their move. With Alex holding back the group, Max launched an attack.

He surged up the standings, initially placing 7th. However, due to a technicality at the finish line, Max was officially moved to 8th. Despite the adjustment, it was a personal record for him on this course, and we couldn’t be prouder of the teamwork that got us there.

The race wrapped up with the first-place fixie and road bike riders finishing in a jaw-dropping 50 minutes, just 5 minutes ahead of the first chase group. The vibe afterward was electric—music, food, and racers mingling, all celebrating a day of incredible racing. It’s days like these that remind us why we’re so proud to be part of this amazing cycling community.

OBK is ready for the next challenge. Stay tuned!