Day three of the 2025 USA Cycling Pro Road National Championships kicked off Wednesday morning with the Under-23 and Elite Men’s and Women’s Individual Time Trials. Throughout the day, intermittent rain created unpredictable course conditions.
Twenty-two athletes took to the streets of Charleston, each battling the clock for a shot at the National Title. On a damp course, riders completed 33.4-kilometers alongside the Kanawha River. It was anybody's race, especially with the ever-changing course conditions. After the second wave of Elite Men, Anders Johnson (Huntsville, Utah) settled into the hot seat with a blistering time of 39:09.49. Ultimately, Johnson was dethroned by Artem Shmidt (Cumming, Ga.; Ineos Grenadiers) who took the course by storm, posting both the fastest intermediate split of the day and winning time of 39:03.08. After the race, Shmidt said, “It was a super-fast course. Pretty windy this year compared to last year, and it was a very close race.” Joshua Lebo (West Simsbury, Conn.; CS Velo Racing) had a great ride, crossing the line in 39:21.29 to round out the podium.
Results:
1. Artem Shmidt (Cumming, Ga.; Ineos Grenadiers)
2. Anders Johnson (Huntsville, Utah)
3. Joshua Lebo (West Simsbury, Conn.; CS Velo Racing)
The Elite Women’s Time Trial was stacked with 23 riders, including Paris 2024 Olympic Road Race gold medalist Kristen Faulkner (Homer, Alaska; EF Education-Oatly) and 2024 Under-23 National Champion Betty Hasse (Providence, R.I.; Hess Cycling Team). As each rider rolled through and completed their 33.4-kilometer effort, all eyes were on Faulkner as she rode down the start ramp. However, Emily Ehrlich (Slater, S.C.; Virginia’s Blue Ridge TWENTY24) was flying through the course, clocking the fastest intermediate split of 21:23.35, over two seconds ahead of Faulkner. Ehrlich continued to gain on Faulkner through the second half of the course, finishing in a time of 43:04.01 and earning herself the National Title. Faulkner rode strong, finishing 27.51 seconds behind to claim silver. Alia Shafi (Seattle, Wash.; Fount Cycling Guild) put down impressive split times to round out the podium with a bronze.
"Today, what can I say, it was awesome,” said Ehrlich. “I’ve been working really hard for this for the past few years just trying to get better and better at this discipline as much as I can. It kind of felt like things were starting to finally come together this year, and I’m really happy to say that it looks like it really is.” She continued, “This is everything for me. If there was one thing in cycling when I started riding and racing that I wanted to do, this was it. This really feels like a culmination of it all for me.”
Results:
1. Emily Ehrlich (Slater, S.C.; Virginia’s Blue Ridge TWENTY28)
2. Kristen Faulkner (Homer, Alaska; EF Education-Oatly)
3. Alia Shafi (Seattle, Wash.; Fount Cycling Guild)
Thirty-six athletes lined up for the Under-23 Men’s Time Trial, ready to take on the 33.4-kilometer, two-lap course in pursuit of the Stars and Stripes jersey. With energy conservation and pacing key on this course, riders had to navigate shifting winds and time their efforts strategically. Cole Kessler (Thousand Oaks, Calif.; Lidl-Trek Future Racing) delivered the ride of the day, edging out Owen Cole (Chapel Hill, N.C.; Team Winston Salem - Flow) by nearly 50-seconds to claim the National Title. Kessler stopped the clock at 39:11.46, earning him the coveted jersey.
“I had a solid plan going in,” said Kessler. “I wanted to hold a consistent power early on. The wind picked up toward the end, so I took advantage of the tailwind on the way out and saved everything for the headwind coming back. I emptied the tank from the last roundabout.” Kessler went on to say, "I haven't won a race in four years, so this feeling is amazing.”
Results:
1. Cole Kessler (Thousand Oaks, Calif.; Lidl-Trek Future Racing)
2. Owen Cole (Chapel Hill, N.C.; Team Winston Salem - Flow)
3. Garin Kelley (Fort Worth, Texas; XSpeed United Continental)
Fourteen Under-23 Women raced one lap of the 16.7-kilometer time trial course. Chloe Patrick (Carson, Calif.; Cynisca Cycling) improved on last year's second place performance, stopping the clock at 22:24.19, earning gold. Mia Aseltine (Littleton, Colo.; Competitive Edge Racing) rode a strong race to finish in second place with a time of 22:36.12. Jorja Bond (Golden, Colo.; CCB p/b Levine Law Group) secured the bronze medal.
“This means a lot to me after getting second place last year,” said Patrick. “I’ve been thinking about it all year. It's been a big motivator for my training and I’m really excited to have pulled it off in the end.”
Results:
1. Chloe Patrick (Carson, Calif.; Cynisca Cycling)
2. Mia Aseltine (Littleton, Colo.; Competitive Edge Racing)
3. Jorja Bond (Golden, Colo.; CCB p/b Levine Law Group)
Racing continues tomorrow evening in downtown Charleston with the Junior and U23 Criteriums for both men and women.
Follow along throughout the week on social media @USACycling, along with the live timing and livestream on FloBikes. Learn more about how to watch the events here.
USA Cycling's supporting partner for this event includes HOVERAir, the Official Flying Camera of USA Cycling, who shares our mission to elevate the sport and inspire the next generation of cyclists.
