TIAA-CREF/5280 Junior Andrew Barker rocks Cat 3 men in City Park Criterium

June 04, 2007 - Denver, CO - June 3, Denver, CO - Racing at City Park in downtown Denver on Sunday, several TIAA-CREF/5280 Magazine Junior Development Team members took on the Category 3 men for a technical, challenging criterium.

Andrew Barker and Robin Eckmann made a formidable duo, with a combined most likely lower than many of their competitors - both Juniors are only 15! Barker and Eckmann rode aggressively and attacked the field often, until with 3 laps remaining Barker made one stick.

Following his win in the State Time Trial on Saturday, Barker kept his winning streak going and easily held off the hard-charging field for the win!

Team Slipstream/Chipotle team director Jonathan Vaughters was on hand in his hometown to watch the up-and-coming kids on his Junior development team. “Barker rode a tactically perfect race, never panicking, even when breaks had 20 seconds or more, and only attacking when others were in trouble. Once off the front, it was clear he was the classiest rider in the field. I haven’t seen a rider that young kill a 3s field so badly since Bobby Julich in the late 80’s.”

Eckmann finished off a fine race with a strong final sprint, to end up 8th on the day.