The Frostbite TT might be the season opener but is usually the first big event for the majority of riders and spectators. This year the race will be managed by the CU Cycling team and the course is out by the Stazio ball fields. Having raced there many times this course is a tough opener for most given the amount of climbing on each lap but on the flip side "usually" this race is safe-ish for that very same reason.

More on the Stazio Criterium from the Daily Camera

Men's A field had an early break by 4 of the above riders and through most of the race the DU rider appeared to have a demanding control of the break. Near the end of the race the DU rider road the coat tails of the other 3 riders making them do the work and play their own games out. In the back CU have the field locked down.

Photo Credit:David Kuticpal

But this time, the criterium at Stazio supports the University of Colorado's cycling team.

“Each school in the conference has to put on one race -- it's mandatory,” said Kris Schoech, of CU's Club Sports. (Cycling is a club sport at CU.) But, he said: “It's expensive to put on a race.”

In the past, the team put on its race at the CU Research Park, Schoech said. “We used to have it around the Qwest building, but then Qwest got different management.” So the team sought out a permit from the city for a race on the loop that includes Stazio Drive and 63rd Street.

The move is costing the team. In total, the race at Stazio has burned through about $4,000 of the team's funds, Scheoch said, which means they're starting their fundraising to help the team go to regionals and nationals -- nationals alone will cost the team $7,500 to $10,000.