User:Benbarts/Benjamin bartoszuk

Benjamin (Ben) Bartoszuk is an American amateur, category 2 cyclist from Sussex, Wisconsin. His father, Eduardo is from Buenos Aires, Argentina where he later moved to the United States when his father (Stanley) was asked to leave regarding a dispute with local unions. As a boy, Benjamin excelled in soccer (football) and American football, often playing games in both sports in the same day, his mother driving him between games while he changed in the car. High School Benjamin joined the Case (Racine, WI) High School track team as a freshman, and quickly excelled. As a middle distance runner, he could run the mile race while also anchoring the mile relay. As a 15 year old Sophomore, he turned heads with a 4:36 mile at the Monona Grove Invitational, the largest track meet in the state of Wisconsin. Benjamin went on to excel in track and cross country, as an all-Racine County 1st team runner graduating in 1994. Cycling In 2002, after years of inactivity, Benjamin raced the WORS (Wisconsin Off Road Series) Alpine Valley Open as a Sport Rider. He moved his way up ranks each year and reached Expert level by 2004 While racing mountain bikes, Benjamin entered road races, and eventually transitioned to the road as a Category 5 cyclist. As a category 4 racer during Superweek, he witnessed the Great Downer Avenue Professional Race, and swore he would some day qualify. After racing Category 3 in 2006, Benjamin was close to his dream. In 2007, Benjamin married Jessica Toth and purchased a home in Sussex, Wisconsin. In 2008 Benjamin won the Wisconsin State Criterium Masters 3/4 race, and was given a Category 2 license by USA cycling. His first Superweek Professional/Ammeter race he did not finish. Not until Whitnall Park, WI Superweek, with a climb on every lap did Benjamin show his form. Against Beijing Olympians and World Champions Benjamin did well at 51st place. Downer After multiple Superweek races, Benjamin finally qualified for the 2008 Great Downer Avenue Race. Benjamin made it to 20 laps to go, and pulled out unable to continue. He swears he will race Downer again as a new Father and show his son Quinn that one can finish what he sets out to do. 2010 Benjamin rides for Colavita Sutter Home finising well at the Hartland Criterium.