The 2020 UCI Cycling Esports World Championships, taking place in the virtual Watopia, commenced Wednesday, December 9th, 2020 with 17 riders representing Team USA. Racing the 31-mile course with over 1500-feet of climbing, this course proved to be difficult in the starting field of 53 women and 77 men.
The women’s race kicked off and a group was quickly formed where Team USA established a strong presence. Kristen Faulkner (Menlo Park, Calif.; Team TIBCO Silicon Valley Bank), Jacqueline Godbe (Chicago), Kristen Kulchinsky (Dix Hills, N.Y.; TWENTY20), Laura Matsen Ko (Seattle; Evoq.bike p/b Enshored), Courtney Nelson (San Jose, Calif.; TWENTY20), Shayna Powless (Roseville, Calif.; TWENTY20), Lauren Stephens (Mesquite, Tex.; Team TIBCO Silicon Valley Bank), Christie Tracy (Austin, Texas; Saris + The Pro's Closet) sat comfortably in the front group and kept an eye on the action. With about 2-kilometers to go, Tracy went on the attack, using a power-up to pull away from the field, but was quickly caught by Ashleigh Moolman Pasio (RSA) who ultimately brought home gold for South Africa. The women’s race finished with Stephens being Team USA’s top finisher in 4th with Godbe right behind in 5th. Matsen Ko and Kulchinsky finished in the top 10 placing 7th and 9th, respectively.
In the Men’s Elite race, 77 riders took to the start line with eight from Team USA. With 4-kilometers to go, cyclists started to create gaps in the field but Holden Comeau (Philadelphia; Saris + Pros Closet), Lawson Craddock (Austin, Texas; EF Pro Cycling), Brian Hodges (Shoreline, Wash.; Evoq.bike p/b Enshored), Jadon Jaeger (Wauwatosa, Wisc.; Adapt Cycling), Ryan Larson (Galloway, N.J.; Saris + Pros Closet), Tanner Ward (Little Rock, Ark.; First Internet Bank) Cory Williams (Pomona, Calif.; L39ION LA), and Tyler Williams (Santa Rosa, Calif.; L39ION LA), stayed with the pack. In the end, Jason Osborne (GER) broke away using an aero power-up in the final kilometer and brought home the rainbow stripes for Germany. The top finisher for Team USA was Larson finishing 9th.
Final Results:
Elite Women
1. Ashleigh Moolman Pasio RSA 1:13:27
2. Sarah Gigante AUS +0.064s
3. Cecilia Hansen SWE +1.24s
4. Lauren Stephens USA +1.26s
5. Jacquie Godbe USA +1.39s
7. Lauren Matsen Ko USA +1.53s
9. Kristen Kulchinsky USA +6.11s
12. Courtney Nelson USA +8.97s
19. Kristen Faulkner USA +16.45s
21. Shayna Powless USA +16.53s
25. Christie Tracy USA +55.52s
26. Krista Doelbel-Hickok USA +01.35
Elite Men
1. Jason Osborne GER 1:05:15
2. Andrew Foldager DEN +1.74s
3. Nicklas Pedersen DEN +2.09s
9. Ryan Larson USA +3.10s
15. Tyler Williams USA +6.22s
18. Holden Comeau USA +8.66s
37. Jadon Jaeger USA +52.39s
38. Tanner Ward USA +52.92s
41. Cory Williams USA +02.22
42. Brian Hodges USA +02.48
