Winning Toge Ther

The more than 100 members of Squadra Coppi, one of the regions best bicycle-racing teams, are amateur in name only. On Sunday mornings, they go on training rides of some 50 miles through Arlington, DC, and Montgomery County. The team which since 1994 has competed around the region in races rang-

ing from long, hilly road races in rural Maryland to ultra-technical, high-speed criteriums in Clarendontakes its name from cycling great Fausto Coppi, Italys campionissimo, the champion of champions. The riders, who range across the spectrum in age, strength, skill, and occupation, are united in their love of the road.

P h o t o g r a P h s b y J ay W e s t c o t t I n t e r v I e W s b y J a s o n K o e b l e r

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The Old hand

James Bellora, 50, Navy engineering branch manager Bellora, who has been with the team longer than any other active rider, created the groups original annual race, the Giro di Coppi. Were a team for the team, he says. Were not about having separate elite squads, which a lot of teams have. Our unofficial slogan is Vincere insiemewinning together. If somebody on the team wins, we all win.

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T h e n e wc O m e r

Christian Gillette, 29, sales manager Three years ago, Gillette couldnt operate her bike: I didnt know how to shift the darn thing. I had to ride to the nearest bike shop, thinking Id bought a lemon. When they showed me how to shift, I was shocked and embarrassed. I look back at that day and have to laugh.

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T h e c O m p e T i TO r

Joaquin Salas Orono, 31, International Monetary Fund executive-board assistant Five years ago, Salas Oronos girlfriend, Claire, thought the two of them should start biking as a way to spend time together. It turned out to be a pretty poor decision on her part, he says. She got the bike, and I got totally addicted. I got that male competitiveness. Claire didnt ditch him. The two got marriedand still ride together. When Im competing, Im competing, he says. When Im not, Im just out having a good time.

The SpeedSTer

Bernard del Rosario, 44, network engineer He was Squadra Coppis fastest riderthen the crash came in April 2006: I was approaching the last corner of the last lap of the Tysons Corner Criterium race. I was hit broadside by another rider who was twice my size. Ive had over 30 weeks of physical therapy. Ive tried acupuncture, yoga, nine epidurals. It kills me being out of the race scene. I not only miss being able to compete, but I really miss being strong.

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T h e wa r r i O r

Bill Cusmano, 51, attorney While hes racing, Cusmano is a soldier: I have genuine affection for most of my adversaries, but its war. We try to hurt each other. Not injure but hurt. You watch and listen to whether the other guy is faltering: How is his breathing? How is he positioned on the bike? Is he tired enough to crack? And then you try to crack him.

The Fundr aiSer

Dana Matassa, 42, custom-clothing salesman After his father died of cancer in 2005, Matassa raised $7,000 for Lance Armstrongs cross-country fundraising ride, Tour of Hope. If you know someone whos had cancer, you identify with Lance Armstrong, Matassa says. I admired my dad. To do something like that for him meant a lot. Another friend had ovarian cancer. I did a ride in her name. I try to find rides with a meaning behind them.

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The rugger

Jim McNeely, 43, Homeland Security policy adviser For 18 years, McNeely played rugby. Then in 2005, he took up road biking as a way to keep in shape after he stopped playing rugby. In rugby, you get to a point in the game where it takes everything you have for ten minutes, he says. When racing, you get to points like that. Its a moment where youre totally W concentrated. Youre clawing the whole way. You have to find some reserves in yourself.

Jay Westcott is putting together an exhibit of his Squadra Coppi photos; information will be available at his blog, jaywestcott.net. Jason Koebler (jkoebler@washingtonian.com) is an editorial intern.

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