On the road with Rahsaan Bahati

December 2, 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 Michael 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.

Rahsaan's website is bahatiracing.com