Gavriel Epstein started cycling at the tender age of 11 and competed in his first race at 14 in the freezing cold of Central Park, NYC. Garnering excellent results in races such as Housatonic Hills and the Unionvale Road Race, he quickly moved up the ranks, upgrading to Category 2 by the age of 17.
Gavi, now 21, races for the Sakonnet Technology U25 Cycling Team based out of NYC. The team showcases young talent from all over the country. Gavi is an all-round rider who just loves racing his bike, no matter if it is flat, mountainous, or windy, single-day or stage race.
Gavi has started to show true talent at criterium and stage racing, and for 2008 he looks to strengthen his overall fitness and work towards getting some significant results in NRC races.
In October 2007, Gavriel Epstein upgraded to Category 1, the highest amateur racing category in USA Cycling.
Height: 5‟ 9”
December Weight: 140 pounds
Race Weight: 135 pounds
Birthdate, Location: September 5th, 1986 in Toronto, Canada
Childhood Heroes: “Marco Pantani.”
Hobbies and Interests: “CYCLING!!!! Music.”
Favorite Movies: “Dumb and Dumber.”
Musical Tastes: “Chillout, House, Relax, Hip-Hop.”
Favorite TV Shows: “Everybody Loves Raymond, Six Feet Under.”
Favorite Meal: “Pasta.”
Favorite Breakfast Cereal: “Raisin Nut Bran.”
Favorite Pre-Race Meal: “Oatmeal, omelette, fruit.”
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: “Mint Chocolate Chip.”
Childhood Dream: “To race the Tour de France.”
First Car: “Pontiac Grand Am.”
First Job: “Bike Mechanic.”
Favorite Vacation Spot: “Mexico.”
Pre-Race Feeling: “Excitement.”
Early Racing Memory: “In my first races, I remember just wanting to finish!”
Funny Racing Memory: “The neutral lap of the Crystal City Classic Criterium had more crashes than in the entire race.”
Greatest Racing Moment: “Winning the Cat 3 Staten Island Criterium Solo, in the rain, when I was 16.”
Worst Injury from Racing: “Just bad road rash.”
Closest Racing Friends: “Roosevelt „Pollo‟ Martes, Mark Alden, Kenny Lundgren.”
Funniest Racer: “Mario Cipollini and his different kits.”
Favorite Race: “Tour of Virginia. The organization wasn’t great, but it‟s a killer and gets you in form fast if you recover right.”
Embarrassing Racing Memory: “Missing my TT start at the Tour of Virginia „06.”
Toughest Competitors: “Chris Horner, Tour of Connecticut and the Housatonic Valley Classic in 2005.”
Favorite Athletes to Watch: “Ivan Dominguez, so comfortable in the field right until the end. Karl Menzies, just so strong and can put the hurt on you whenever, wherever.”
Qualities You Most Admire in People: “People who are trustworthy.”
What You Love Most About Riding Your Bicycle: “The chance to see the world racing my bike.”
