The juniors made their world championship debut at the 2021 UCI Road World Championships in the Flanders Region of Belgium. National Champion Olivia Cummins (Fort Collins, Colo.; LUX/Sideshow p/b Specialized) and Alex Gustin (San Diego; LUX/Sideshow p/b Specialized) were Team USA’s top performers placing eighth and fourteenth in their respective fields. Also putting out solid rides today were Makayla MacPherson (Corona, Calif.; LUX/Sideshow p/b Specialized) and Cole Kessler (Newbury Park, Calif.; LUX/Sideshow p/b Specialized).
The reigning Junior Woman Time Trial National Champion, Cummins rode to a solid eighth place. As she came through the intermediate checkpoint, she clocked a time of 15:18.86, which would seed her into sixth overall. Cummins kicked it up a notch on the second portion of the course and would move into fourth, finishing in a time of 27:21.28.
Cummins has been on the road for the last month with her trade team, LUX/Sideshow p/b Specialized, competing in a European racing block before the World Championships, saying, “This past month of racing with Lux in Europe has been unforgettable. Although I’ve raced on the track overseas, this was my first time racing on the road over in Europe.” She continued, talking about what it means to represent Team USA at the international level, saying, “Representing the United States at worlds has been a huge goal of mine for years and just getting the chance to be here is amazing in itself. Although in the TT, I didn’t have the legs I was hoping for, it’s hard to be disappointed in a top 10 at my first World Championships. Overall I’m super happy with the experience and am looking forward to the road race this Saturday!”
Cummins’ teammate, both on Team USA and LUX, MacPherson, put in a solid ride on the 19.4-kilometer time trial course. Like her teammate, MacPherson would rev up her speed as the course went on, moving from tenth at the intermediate checkpoint to eighth when she crossed the finish line. She finished in a time of 28:31.63. At the end of the event, that time was good for 32nd.
Since the start, MacPherson, the current Junior Women Road Race National Champion, has been focused on the road race. She said, “I have worked all year, and my whole junior career, to prepare for Saturday, so now it is all about trusting that I have done all I can do and leaving everything out on the racecourse. I am super excited to be able to race the world championships, especially in Flanders, but also equally as nervous.”
1. Alena Ivanchenko (RUS) 25:05.49
2. Zoe Backstedt (GBR) +10.64
3. Antonia Niedermaier (GER) +25.32
8. Olivia Cummins (USA) +2:15.79
32. Makayla MacPherson (USA) +3:26.14
Full Results can be found here.
The Junior Men Time Trial National Champion, Gustin, tried his hand at the 20.3-kilometer course and proved successful on the day. At the midway checkpoint, he stopped the clock at 15:11.52, ranking him second. Finishing in a total time of 26:48.43, Gustin would make his way directly over to the hot seat, where he would stay for the following five riders. Gustin’s time earned him 14th at the end of the day.
Kessler put in a solid ride, with a split of 15:33.77. He would finish in a time of 27:21.50. While not the results he was wanting, Kessler is looking forward to Saturday's road race. He said, “I came into this race very prepared. I did everything I needed to do to put up a good time but just didn’t have the legs on the day. The course didn’t suit me that well, as I prefer a more hilly time trial. I am bummed I couldn’t perform better. However, I am so honored to be representing the United States at the world championships. I will try and help the team as best I can in the road race to get us a good result. The focus is on that now, and I can’t dwell on my time trial.”
1. Gustav Wang (DEN) 25:37.42
2. Joshua Tarling (GBR) +20.20
3. Alec Segaert (BEL) +29.48
14. Alexander Gustin (USA) +1:11.01
31. Cole Kessler (USA) +1:44.08
Full Results can be found here.
Next up for Team USA is their first attempt at the Team Time Trial Mixed Relay since its inception in 2019. Lawson Craddock (Houston; EF Education - Nippo), Brandon McNulty (Phoenix; UAE Team Emirates), Neilson Powless (Roseville, Calif.; EF Education - Nippo), Coryn Rivera (Tustin, Calif.; Team DSM), Leah Thomas (Santa Clara, Calif.; Movistar Team Women), and Ruth Winder (Boulder, Colo.; Trek-Segafredo) will be wearing the red, white, and blue.
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