Kristen Faulkner Leads U.S. Women at 2026 UCI Road World Championships

Six American riders took on a demanding 180-kilometer elite women’s road race at the 2026 UCI Road World Championships, battling through a fast and dynamic day on the roads surrounding Montréal.

The U.S. team featured Kristen Faulkner (Homer, Alaska; EF-Oatly-Cannondale), Kate Courtney (Kenfield, Calif.; FDJ United-Suez), Lauren Stephens (Dallas; Aegis X Leaders of Enchantment), Natalie Quinn (Harrisville, Utah; Mayenne Pro Cycling), Alexis Magner (Athens, Ga.; EF-Oatly-Cannondale), and Grace Arlandson (Boulder, Colo.; Aegis X Leaders of Enchantment).

The race began in Brossard, south of Montréal, with about 60 kilometers of racing before the riders reached the first climb and the challenging Montréal circuit, that they would do eight times in total. Quinn made an early move, joining a three-rider breakaway that was eventually reduced to two riders, with Quinn and Marte Edseth (NOR) holding the advantage through the opening laps. The break was ultimately brought back by the peloton.

With 94 kilometers to go, a crash on the descent split the peloton and caught Courtney in the disruption. After getting back on her bike, Courtney and Arlandson worked together to chase back toward the group. Despite a determined effort, Courtney was unable to close the gap to the fast-moving peloton and was eventually pulled from the race.

Stephens spent much of the race in the lead group alongside Faulkner, positioning themselves well as the race entered its decisive final laps. As the pace grew, Stephens dropped back to the second group while Faulkner remained in the main peloton on the final laps. With just under 40 kilometers left, Demi Vollering (NED) launched an attack on the Mont Royal climb. Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney (POL) and Elisa Longo Borghini (ITA) eventually bridged across to Vollering, forming a three-rider move at the front.

Longo Borghini attacked at the start of the final lap but was caught and dropped on the climb. Niewiadoma-Phinney made one final attempt to distance Vollering with four kilometers to go, but Vollering stayed on her wheel. Vollering led through the final corner before outsprinting Niewiadoma-Phinney to claim the rainbow jersey and the elite women’s road race world title.

Results:

1. Demi Vollering (NED) – 4:45:09

2. Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney (POL) – +0

3. Elisa Longo Borghini (ITA) – +4

21. Kristen Faulkner (USA) – +8:34

40. Lauren Stephens (USA) – +15:31

DNF. Natalie Quinn (USA)

DNF. Kate Courtney (USA)

DNF. Grace Arlandson (USA)

DNF. Alexis Magner (USA)