The past two weeks have U.S. riders across several disciplines have made their mark on the international stage, including four World Cup medals.
After taking gold at the Solothurn Swiss Cup the previous week, World Champion, Kate Courtney (San Francisco; Scott-SRAM) earned her first World Cup gold medal in Albstadt, Germany over the weekend. First winning the short-track race on Friday, she backed it up with another gold in the cross-country race on Sunday.
“My race in Albstadt was an incredibly special one for me. I ended up alone out front early on and was able to hold on for my first elite World Cup victory,” said Courtney, “I have worked harder than ever this season and have an incredible village around me- both in my coaches, family and as a new member of the Scott-SRAM Racing team. It was a dream come true to start my season in the rainbow jersey with a win. It was a dream come true to start my season in the rainbow jersey with a win. It was also a great day for the U.S. women with two elite riders in the top 10 and a podium in the U23 race. I am excited to carry this positive momentum into the rest of the season.”
Fellow National Team riders also placed in the top ten with Chloe Woodruff (Prescott, Ariz.; Stan's-Pivot Pro Team p/b Maxxis) placing sixth in the Elite Women’s race as well as seventh in the short-track race on Friday and Haley Batten (Park City, Utah; Clif Pro Team) placing third in the U23 race earning her first World Cup Podium.
“Stepping onto my first World Cup podium was absolutely thrilling,” said Batten, “There is always so much uncertainty going into the first World Cup after the winter and trusting you’ve done the right preparation when transitioning from the U.S. races to international ones. I went into the first World Cup in Germany excited to see what I could be capable of. It was an exciting race from start to finish and knowing that I can be in the mix art the front of the race definitely gives me a new sense of confidence. I’m definitely leaving Albstadt with more motivation and excitement for the season ahead.”
USA Cycling National Team riders, Alise Willoughby (Chula Vista, Calif.) and Felicia Stancil (Indianapolis, Ind.) found spots on the podium this weekend at the third and fourth rounds of the UCI BMX World Cup series in Papendal, Netherlands. Willoughby, the 2017 World Champion, won the silver medal on both days after suffering some early season crashes.
“I was happy to stay upright and get another couple of podiums here in Papendal. It is always a challenge racing the Dutch on their home track but we were able to get two Americans on the podium today which was awesome,” said Willoughby, “I was able to lead both finals, ended up second both days and come out second overall in the series as we head to the next stop in Paris.”
Current National Champion, Stancil placed third in Sunday’s final. Jared Garcia (Victorville, Calif.) and current National Champion and 2017 World Champion, Corben Sharrah (Tucson, Ariz.) and also made the finals for the men ending the day in fifth and seventh place respectively.
“After making every final so far this year, I was very happy to finish with my first (World Cup) podium of this season,” said Stancil, “Getting on the podium with my teammate made it that much better.”
Back in the states, National Champions were crowned at the USA Cycling Collegiate Road National Championships in Augusta, Ga. and the USA Cycling Marathon Mountain Bike National Championships in Palo Duro Canyon, Tex.
Out West in California, the USA Cycling National Team completed their campaign at the Amgen Tour of California with national team riders wear every jersey in the race except yellow. In the Amgen Tour of California Women’s Race Empowered by SRAM, Katie Hall (Saratoga, Calif. Boels-Dolman) placed second overall after winning the second stage, up Mt. Baldy.
Following the most recent races on the Pro Road Tour (PRT) Calendar in Rochester, N.Y. and Wilmington, Del., Chloe Dygert-Owen (Sho-Air Twenty20) leads the Women’s calendar individually while James Piccoli of Elevate-KHS Pro Cycling leads the men their respective teams are also leading the team calendar.
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