Get to know a couple of faces behind the helmets.
The Bendigo Bullet: Peta Mullens, @petamullens on Instagram
Hometown: Bendigo, VIC, Australia (based in Brevard, North Carolina)
Club: Liv Tango Racing
Race Count: Around 1,000 race days
With 13 national titles – including 2015 Road Champ – Peta Mullens brings #bigcritenergy (her unofficial race motto) to every course. She thrives on speed, chaos and the electricity of racing under the lights. On a road course, she tops out around 60 mph; in a crit, up to 40 mph. Her pre-race musts? A power braid and a fake tan. Post-race, you’ll likely find her curbside in her kit, tacos in hand, cheering on the men’s pro field. She’s especially hyped for Omaha’s tight 180-degree corner – the only one she’ll hit in a crit all year. Off the course, she’ll take recovery rides on Omaha bike paths or stroll Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium.
The Levitator: Robb Hiatt, @ro2b1 on Instagram
Hometown: Lincoln, NE
Club: Underwood Cycling Club
Race Count: Dozens and counting
Robb Hiatt loves the adrenaline of high-speed corners and the strategic dance of tight packs. One of his proudest race achievements was earning second place in the Tuesday Night Worlds expert crit series. Rob skips the pre-race hype music but admits that, thanks to his kids, he once raced with the Kidz Bop version of “Levitating” looping in his head. His pre-race ritual is simple and practical: He pins his race number as flat as possible for max aerodynamics. As a bike industry pro, he knows folks might have superstitions. His take? If someone believes a gadget or sticker will make them faster, then they’re probably right. Catch him at the Aksarben Tirc, which has tight turns that will make for great spectating. If you see him at the finish line, treat him to an ice-cold beer – his favorite post-race treat.
The Florida Flyer: Jason Engle
Hometown: Naples, Florida
Team: Waldo Racing Team (USAC Domestic Elite Team)
Jason Engle is part of the newly minted Waldo Racing Team, a grassroots Domestic Elite squad out of Naples, Florida that’s making its national debut right here in Omaha. Waldo Racing was built around powerhouse teammate Justin Bolde (@mr._wattzon) – the current USA National Criterium Champion (35–39).
Engle and the team look forward to representing Southwest Florida cycling – and bringing high-speed excitement to Omaha. Crit racing’s closed circuits make it uniquely fan friendly, and the Aksarben Tirc is technical and fast, the kind of course that’s thrilling to watch. Omaha being part of USA Crit National Series is a big deal, Engle says, and will bring top-tier talent, intense racing and an electric atmosphere to Aksarben Village.
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