Past weekend had the annual Air Force Cycling Classic in Arlington VA with Saturday & Sunday races. Saturday's Clarendon Cup always had the most spectators...a few years ago so many that it was tough to walk around parts of the criterium course or get a good viewing spot near the start/finish line. Now crowds are thin at the Saturday race & nearly non-existent at the Sunday race in Crystal City. Ironic considering that DC/Arlington folks are fairly fitness-oriented; on bike paths one see's plenty of middle-aged folks twiddling around on their carbon racing bikes.

Most current US pro riders are basically amateurs. The bulk of US pro teams are under UCI rules that don't mandate a minimum wage. Now I even read that some of the Pro Continental teams cheat on the minimum salary requirement by forcing some riders to return their salary. Air Force Cycling Classic has a cheapo prize list: in nominal $$ only a bit more than old-time amateur National Capital Open that used to be held on the White House Ellipse course. & in adjusted dollars, current pro prize lists are a joke. AF Classic sponsored by the likes of Boeing & Booz-Allen that rake in $$billions from Uncle Sam.

UnitedHealthCare team budget surely dwarfs the other US-circuit teams, past 2 or 3 years they simply crush the competition. UHC can at will send all 5 riders to the front to freight-train other teams & set up their designated sprinter.

& the DC/Arlington spectators are a blasé bunch that can't be bothered to clap or holler much for the hard-working cyclists. Unlike the Philly fans who aren't afraid to cheer on the riders. Especially ironic that Arlington VA (next to DC) is a cycling haven with lots of bike routes/paths etc--there's even a little DIY bike-repair stand in Crystal City with various tools connected by cables.