June 30, 2003 (Worcester,Mass.) – Rahsaan Bahati of Team Saturn, the first African-American of the decade to be signed to a major U.S. professional cycling team, pedaled up one of Worcester's steepest streets on June 25 to help promote the upcoming George Street Bike Challenge for Major Taylor.

The 500-foot hill has  been a proving ground for Worcester cyclists since the 1890s, when Bahati's hero, 1899 world cycling champion  Marshall  “Major” Taylor, biked up George Street. Taylor, the first African-American to become an international sports  superstar, had to fight racial prejudice just to get on the starting line.

Three-time national champion Bahati said the hill was good practice for his work the next four days in the nearby Fitchburg-Longsjo Classic stage race. The 21-year-old rider, whom Bicycling magazine has said  “could be … the next Major Taylor,” said he was honored to bike the same streets that “the Worcester Whirlwind” rode more than a century  ago.

 Worcester Mayor Timothy P. Murray gave Bahati a key to the city  in recognition of his efforts and achievements. Bahati thanked  Barney's Bicycle and the Seven Hills Wheelmen, along with Saturn of Worcester  and World T.E.A.M. Sports, for presenting the July 20 time trial on George Street as a fund-raiser for the Major Taylor Association, which plans to put up a statue of Major Taylor in Worcester, and he thanked Saturn for the opportunity to pursue his dreams.

The  Seven Hills Wheelmen gave Bahati a cycling jersey featuring the Major Taylor Association logo on the sleeves, and Bahati donated an autographed Team Saturn jersey to be raffled off at the George  Street race.

Bahati began bike racing in 1996 and decided in 1998 to devote himself full time to the sport. Off-season he continues his education at Indiana University in Indianapolis, home of the Major Taylor Velodrome, where he trains. He is majoring in computer animation and  telecommunications.

Bahati appears in the “25 Hottest Bachelors” lineup in the current issue of People Magazine and also has been featured in Details magazine.

For more information about the George Street Bike Challenge for Major Taylor, coming up on July 20, visit www.majortaylorassociation.org.