CLEAR SPRINGS, MD. JULY 28, 2018 — It was a sight of poetic coincidence today as 344 racers under the age of eighteen gathered at Clear Spring High School to start the road race events of the 2018 USA Cycling Amateur Road National Championships. The riders were competing in 8 separate races over the course of the day.
Coming down to a bike throw at the line, Katie Clouse (Park City, Utah/DNA Cycling Team) was able to accomplish one of her goals for the season by winning the women’s 17-18 road race after coming in second last year. Said Clouse, “Today’s win was super special to me. After my silver last year I was more determined to put the time and effort into winning a gold in the road race. That was my main goal for this year. So, being able to accomplish that goal at the end of the day is special because I know all that time I have put into training this year was all worth it.” Jane Tullis (Rome, Ga./LUX/Sideshow p/b Specialized) was right there at the end and earned the silver. Rounding out the top three was Isabella Brookshire (Hendersonville, N.C./Sho-Air TWENTY20 Development).
The 17-18 Men’s race was all about team tactics. “The majority of the team road the front for the first 4 laps, making it pretty hard in order to soften up the other riders. Then being able to attack with Sean [Quin] made it so the break was able to work really well together. With him pulling off a 3rd and then Issac [Bryant] rolling in for 4th made it a really good day for LUX!”, said winner Quinn Simmons (Durango, Colo./LUX/Sideshow p/b Specialized). Breaking up the LUX train was Lane Maher (Harwinton, Conn./Hot Tubes Development Cycling), who earned silver. Sean Quinn (Sherman Oaks, Calif./LUX/Sideshow p/b Specialized) came in third.
The current women’s 15-16 Track National Champion, Megan Jastrab (Apple Valley, Calif./iCademy), was able to add another stars-and-stripes jersey to her collection today. Faith Montreuil (Louisville, Ky./Gray Goat – Bullseye Total Media) was able to take second in a field sprint of 10 riders. Taking the bronze was Cameron Davidson (Byron Center, Mich./Andrie Junior Development Team), who also placed third in Thursday’s time trial event.
After Friday’s afternoon thunderstorms delayed the 15-16 Men’s road race until today, the young men put on quite the race. Coming into the finish, a group of three had about a 35-second gap on the main field. The sprint out of that group of 3 was won by Eli Husted (Austin, Texas/Hot Tubes Development Cycling). Jared Scott (Boulder, Colo./LUX/Sideshow p/b Specialized) took the second step of the podium. Rounding out the top three was Logan McLain (Bosser City, La./ LUX/Sideshow p/b Specialized).
Improving from her thirteenth place last year in the 13-14 Women’s Road Race, Marissa Carter (Saint Charles, Mo./Team Mack Racing) ended up on the top step of the podium today. Claiming the second step was Marie Grassi (Columbus, Ohio/ProChain Junior Development), the winner of the 13-14 Women’s time trial on Thursday. Katherine Sarkisov (North Potomac, Md./Rock Creek Velo) took home bronze.
Viggo Moore (Herriman, Utah/SBR Cycles Racing), like Carter, greatly improved his placing this year over last. Moore clinched the win in the Men’s 13-14 road race by almost one minute. Artem Shmidt (Cumming, Ga./Mission Devo Cycling/NGCA p/b Tyler Perry Studios) grabbed the silver and Jack Carter (Minneapolis, Minn./NorthStar Development Team) took home bronze.
In the 11-12 Women, Clara James-Heer (Grand Rapids, Mich./ Andrie Junior Development Team) dominated the field and took home gold with more than a minute on the next rider. This is James-Heer’s second gold of the week, following her win in the time trial on Thursday. Dahlia Kissel (Erlanger, Ohio/TEAM LOGIK) took the second step of the podium. Coming in third was Lauren Weigel (Rochester, Minn./Spin Devo).
Jayden Li (Fresh Meadows, N.Y./Star Track Racing) outsprinted the rest of the field, claiming the 11-12 Men’s road race title as his own. Zachary Lowe (Dover, Tenn./Lift Center Racing) followed close behind to claim silver. Taking bronze was Grayson Hauck (Allentown, Penn./Gotham Cyclists).
You can follow the action on USA Cycling’s @usacycling Twitter account as well as the @usacycling Instagram account, and follow along with others posts by using the hashtag #RoadNats .
