So I made it. Its over, the flight was long but couldnt have gone any smoother. We had a 747 aircraft and it was completely empty.

I took some pics just to kill time so view them and ill keep you guys posted at a cost of $35 a day internet fee.  

Thanks to Justin, I had my share of bootleg movies.  

I wanted to wish everyone who comes and read my thoughts a very safe happy holidays and New Year.

I got word a few days ago that ill be racing in the Jayco Series down under in Australia starting on Jan 2nd. Ill be leaving on Dec 30th. This will be the first time that ill be away from my family for the new years and it’s a bit hard to swallow right now.

It’s a 6-day stage race consisting of all crits. When I found out I was going I was like….oh boy, the Australian guys are in the middle of there summer and I’m sure they will be very fast. All I’ve been doing is riding miles, absolutely no intensity.

However I’m super excited to attend such a classic race and race the likes of McEwen, O’Grady, Renshaw, Wilson, Brown, Sutherland and Goss to name a hand full. You can see there race website here at http://web.me.com/rbueman/2009BayClassic/Home.html

Anyways again, Happy Holidays and I wish every last one of you the best year yet in 2009.

I WISH TO DO THIS ALL OF 2009 

Rock Racing to remain, but feeling the pinch

By Mark Zalewski

Many rumors have been circulating over the past week about the Rock Racing team and its parent designer clothing company Rock & Republic, all stemming from the company's financial position within the worsening global economy. The main rumor that the company will be completely disbanding its cycling team appear to be an exaggeration, though internal company communication has indicated that a downsizing of the parent company's staff overall, including portions of the cycling team's staff, is happening. As such there has been speculation that this could reduce the number of riders on the team.

"Rock Racing will continue to race in 2009," a statement from the team said. "Tyler Hamilton, Rahsaan Bahati and Justin Williams will defend their U.S. national titles. More important information about the team's plans will follow. We appreciate your interest and continued support of Rock Racing."

Martine Charles, a spokesperson with the team, would not elaborate on the status of the team other than to say that it is continuing. When asked if the team will be downsizing, especially considering that not all of the riders would be able to race on the UCI roster, the official answer from Charles was: "As of today the team is going to be the same". However, other sources within the team speculated that downsizing is a likely possibility.

US criterium champion Rahsaan Bahati was snowboarding at Big Bear in California when reached by Cyclingnews. When asked about the rumor he laughed saying, "I hope I still have a job!" Bahati said that he had not heard anything from team owner Michael Ball or the management about the team shutting down.

Michael Ball had indicated for most of the last year that he had planned on taking the team to Pro Continental status for 2009. However, the team withdrew its application to the UCI before the deadline in order to remain a Continental team. Still the team has signed many high-profile talents and was expecting to carry a separate amateur squad consisting of many riders that are currently professionals.

Though not necessarily linked to this recent development, two riders, Ivan Dominguez and William Walker, that had appeared on rosters released by Rock Racing in the past weeks have been removed. Dominguez announced last week that he was only in talks and had never signed a contract with the team. Last week the Fuji-Servetto ProTour team announced they had signed Dominguez, and Walker has also been linked with that team.

Rock Racing's Sean Weide confirmed with Cyclingnews that Dominguez and Walker were no longer on the team's roster, and have been replaced with Spainard David Martin Velasco and Australian Aaron Marcus Kemps.

I will do a  bahatitube update when i learn more. All of you are asking great questions that at this time I cant answer. But when I find out, ill do a short video and upload it. If you have more questions you want to know, email me at promotions@bahatiracing.com or rahsaan@bahatiracing.com

see ya 

I feel happy that I had this opportunity to race as a pro with Rock Racing. I created some great memories and found great friends for life. Unfortunately Rock Racing doesn’t realize that you can’t swap guys in and out or move guys around all year long as it was explained to me. And even if you could, why should I be subjected to that? I won more races than anyone on the team this year, and I expected to be treated like one of the best.

I pray that everything works out because I enjoyed racing for MB. 

Seven of the ten guys on the amateur team are at least 27 years of age and older or will be 27-28 come January. This has absolutely nothing to do with talent or who will win races. This had to do with the team deciding to stay Division 3 and that comes with the responsibility of signing young riders who are under 27 years of age.

If you look at the “pro team” roster for every guy that’s over 27 there are two guys that are under 27 years of age. It’s a 60/40 rule USA cycling created to help promote grass roots.
I understand what they tried to accomplish but it is very obvious it wasn’t well thought out.

I'll put it to you this way. This is how I feel. It’s like MB and his expensive clothing line. How would he feel if the fashion world did a review on some of the best designer jeans in the world and Rock and Republic fell under the category with Old Navy and Gap? When the whole world knows they are no Old Navy or Gap.
Well that’s how I feel. One of the fastest guys on the bike and I’m dropped to the amateur team.

All of your E-mails, calls and everything on Facebook have really hit home and made me wake up. You guys are very poetic with the Facebook postings. Very humorous as well. I still think things will work out for the better and that ill have another great year. ill keep you posted. 

Happy holidays folks.

I love you all and thanks for the continued support.

Rock Racing moves some big names off its Continental squad.

Rock Racing roster: what does this mean for Bahati?

Photo: Action Images

On the road with Rahsaan Bahati

Written by: Herbert Krabel
Date: Tue Dec 02 2008

ST: Rahsaan, with you being in the off-season right now, what are you doing?

Rahsaan: My off-season has been very busy, dealing with my back injury, catching up on being a father of three and a bunch of work on my house. It’s hard labor. I recently renovated one of the bathrooms, cut down 6 trees and gave my daughter a 5th birthday party on November 29th.


ST: Looking back at 2008, are you happy with your racing season?

Rahsaan: 2008 season is a season I will never forget. It taught me to never give up and never make excuses. I raced all year long with one leg due to the injuries. I have won, and am still able to win races that every sprinter in America wishes to win; Athens twilight, Manhattan Beach GP and USPro Crit in Downers Grove, also finishing the season off with a 5th place finish in stage one of the Tour of Britain.


ST: You have been racing for Rock Racing now for quite some time. How much of a change has it been to race for this team versus other teams you raced for?

Rahsaan: For me, this is the perfect team. For Me! Ball and I are two completely different guys but we share the same vision. We both have the same drive and passion for winning and care for the sport more than what has been displayed. I love this team.

He has been a huge inspiration for me and has allowed me to grow as a cyclist and a man. Rock Racing is not just for ex-doping victims. This is a real team and I think the public still hasn't realized we are for real and "here to stay."

ST: Is Michael Ball as crazy as he appears, or is he just playing it up for the media?

Rahsaan: MB is crazy, so stay the F%$* away! J.k, I have spent some quality time with MB and he has one of the biggest hearts I have ever seen. I know a lot of wealthy people and MB doesn't have the attitude like his shit doesn't stink.


ST: How good of a bike rider is Michel Ball? Do you guys ever take him out and work him over?

Rahsaan: Ball is crazy on the bike, he could drop almost anyone in a 2k sprint but then he blows up. I don't think he knows about riding steady (coming from a track back ground), but it's always fun to ride with him because his brain is always thinking about how he could improve this sport. It's great to hear his ideas.


ST: How did you get into bike racing? What is your athletic background?

Rahsaan: I got into bike racing while attending school in Compton, CA. My 7th grade English teacher invited me out to Cal State Dominguez Hills University to the Velodrome, where the 1984 Track Olympics were held. Initially I thought it was going to be motor dirt bikes, only to be let down as I walked to the railing of the track to see white guys in tights going in circles with funny helmets on.

ST: Please describe a typical hard training week for us in mid season.

Rahsaan: It's not much training if I'm racing. The more I race, the faster I get. So during the season I would train maybe 18-21 hours a week or maybe a little more if I'm not racing as much. Most of the time, its endurance paced 3-4 hr rides and I always do some type of speed ride. Ok that's all, can't tell you guys everything.


ST: What do you do to overcome a disappointing race?

Rahsaan: Um… most of the time, I'm pretty pissed. I would have a cold beer and joke around with my teammates. Or just call MB and he would say something like "well you should have won, your fired." We would go back and forth until someone taps out. But it's all in good fun.


ST: Have you been ever set up nicely on a TT bike or is that something you don't worry about?

Rahsaan: What's a TT?


ST: What other sports do you participate in, or play with?

Rahsaan: I'm a very good Xbox 360 player. I also do a little trash talking with my Belizean friends.


ST: Talk about some of the unique Rock & Republic sponsorship benefits? Also, do you have personal sponsors?

Rahsaan: Oh yeah, I have a huge endorsement from the African American community all over the world. I get so much love from them; I wish I could pay everyone back. Hahaha, but I am serious.

ST: Do you follow any other sports as a fan?

Rahsaan: Go Cowboys, Go Lakers, Go Angles, Go Venus and Serena Williams. Oh yeah, and Lewis Hamilton, #1 F1 racer in the world.


ST: Can you share with us some of your food likes and dislikes?

Rahsaan: I love Mexican Food, cheese enchiladas, carne asada tacos. My second favorite is Asian food, everything but pork.


ST: What kind of music do you like?

Rahsaan: Hip/hop, rap, R&B, Jazz, salsa, meringue, no punk rock…..


ST: What was the last book you read?

Rahsaan: "A Significant Other 'riding the centenary Tour de France' with Lance Armstrong" By Matt Rendell. This book is about my teammate Victor Hugo Pene.


ST: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Rahsaan: I have so many ideas, dreams and goals for the future. Most of them don't have anything to do with cycling. I see myself retired and having multiple businesses and spending more time at home.


ST: Is there anything else we should know about you?

Rahsaan: I always like to give thanks to God, my parents Rashid and Queen Nassoma who have supported me from day one. Major Motion cycling team which helped guide me into road cycling, and to this day still supports me. David, Damon, Orlando, Ron, Charles, Virgil, Beverly and Denny, Buckley, Morton, Sika and my two best friends Devon and Kenny for being so positive and encouraging in this whole journey and last but most definitely not least, my beautiful wife and children. They are my biggest fans. There are many more, but I would like to just say thank you for everything you have done for me.