ROAD
Dwars door Vlaanderen: Belgium
(March 29) – Neilson Powless (EF Education-EasyPost) took 3rd at Dwars door Vlaanderen, continuing a streak of top-10 finishes at World Tour events. “I came in with the ambition to win, so it was really nice to be up there,” said Powless. The 183 kilometer race through the Flemish Ardennes starts in Roeselare and ends with a finish circuit around Waregem. It’s the last warmup for the Tour of Flanders and features eight cobblestone sectors and 11 climbs.
Complete results here
Tour of Flanders: Belgium
(April 2) – Neilson Powless (EF Education-EasyPost) placed 5th and Matteo Jorgenson (Movistar) took 9th at the Tour of Flanders, the second Monument of the season and the first time racing there for both cyclists. It was the fastest version ever of the 273 kilometer race, which has six cobble sections and 19 climbs.
“The guys that finished in front of me are the biggest riders in the sport so finishing 5th, I’m really proud. I never thought I’d be fighting for top-5 at the Tour of Flanders,” said Powless, who crashed twice and lost his computer. Jorgenson also was caught in a huge crash, had to change bikes and then reached a group before earning his top-10 spot.
Complete results here
World Tour: Itzulia Basque Country, Spain
(April 3-8) – Brandon McNulty (UAE Team Emirates) placed 7th overall and was 1st in the youth category at Itzulia Basque Country, the six-stage race through northern Spain. McNulty, 25, took 4th on the final Queen Stage, and along with two top-five stage finishes, maintained his spot in the top 10.
Complete results here
National Cycling League: Round One, Miami Beach
(April 7-8) – The racing was fast and furious for the opening round of the National Cycling League, a four-race series for elite men and women that debuted in Miami Beach. Both races were dominated by the Denver Disruptors.
The criterium style racing has some twists: Ten teams go 25 laps around a nearly one-mile loop, with points earned at the end of each lap by the first three riders across – with double points at the finish.
The team with the most points wins and substitutions are allowed mid-race. Race distance and prize money is equal for men and women, and at the end of the day, the team with the most combined points scored by their men’s and women’s squads gets the overall win.
Prize money is awarded each week with bonuses for the final standings. If one team wins all four races, there’s a $700,000 bonus. Three race wins earns a $100,000 bonus.
Next up on the NCL calendar is Atlanta on May 4.
Overall Results:
- Denver Disruptors
- Miami Nights
- Goldman Sachs ETFS Racing (Women’s squad) with Texas Roadhouse Cycling Team (Men’s)
Women: Denver Disruptors, Miami Nights, CCB Alpine Carbon
Men: Denver Disruptors, Miami Nights, Texas Roadhouse Cycling
Results here
BMX
Carolina Nationals, Rock Hill BMX Supercross: Rock Hill, South Carolina
(March 31-April 2) – Payton Ridenour (Mongoose) scored her first USA BMX pro/elite victory, while Alise Willoughby (Promax/Daylight/TLD/IRC) notched two first-place finishes over three days of racing at the Rock Hill BMX Supercross track.
"This win has been a long time coming,” said 20-year-old Ridenour, after her victory on day 2. “There’s so much work that goes on behind the scenes to make this happen.” She was followed by Felicia Stancil (Factory SSquared) in 2nd and Daleny Vaughn (DK Bikes/Fly Racing) in 3rd.
Multi-world champion Willoughby also had a big weekend, winning the women’s race on days 1 and 3. On Friday Ridenour took 2nd and Stancil was 3rd. On Sunday, Willoughby was followed by Lauren Reynolds (Factory Answer) and Daleny Vaughn.
On the men’s side, Cameron Wood (Mongoose) earned the win on day 2, marking his second victory of the season. Sylvain Andre (Commencal Bikes ) and Izaac Kennedy (Chase/BRGstore.com) were 2nd and 3rd. On day 1, Joris Daudet (Chase/BRGstore.com) was 1st, followed by Bodi Turner (Rockstar/Rift) and Joseph Leto (Route Transportation).
On the final day of men’s elite racing, Jeremy Smith (HempFusion/Gravely) took first, followed by Kamren Larsen (Haro) and Bodi Turner.
Complete results here
