The 34th edition of the Valley of the Sun Stage Race returned to Phoenix, Arizona, for three days of racing from Feb 13-15, with junior riders competing across a time trial, road race, and criterium. The weekend also served as the opener for both the USA Cycling Junior Road National Series and the USA Junior Cup, as well as an automatic selection opportunity for USA Cycling National Team and Development Pathway European Camp spots.
Junior Men 17-18 Race Recap
An impressive 117-rider Junior Men 17-18 field opened the weekend with a 10-mile time trial, where Jack Klau (Crozet, Va.; Hot Tubes Development Cycling Team) set the fastest time in 20:19. Rowan Nistal (Boise, Idaho; Bear National Team) finished second, 21 seconds back, and Kash Adamski (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.; Hot Tubes Development Cycling Team) was third, just three seconds behind Nistal.
Saturday’s road race featured aggressive riding from multiple teams, including several attacks throughout the day, but the race came back together for a bunch sprint. Jackson Clary (Westfield, Ind.; Cleveland Cycling Academy) took the stage win, with Nistal second and Adamski third.
The final stage criterium was active from the start and included several breakaway attempts. Adamski and Nistal spent time off the front, with Kaison Smith (Canton, Ga.; EF Education-ONTO) in tow. Late in the race, a three rider breakaway of Clark Lavoie (Charlottesville, Va.; Miller School Of Albermarle), Ethan Courson (St. Augustine, Fla.; DDP Elite Cycling Team), and Mason Wilson (Kalona, Iowa; Above and Beyond Cancer) established a gap and stayed clear to the finish. Courson won the sprint from the break, with Lavoie and Wilson finishing close behind for second and third, respectively.
Klau held onto the overall lead to win the general classification. Adamski finished second overall and Nistal finished third.
Junior Women 15-18 Recap
The women’s racing also opened with a 10-mile time trial. Liliana O'Donnell (Delmar, N.Y.; Competitive Edge Racing) won the Junior Women's 15-16, while Bella Kroutil (Bowling Green, Ky.; Fount Cycling Guild) rode to the win in the Junior Women's 17-18.
On Saturday, the 15-16 and U19 girls raced together in a combined 30 mile road race. A seven rider breakaway formed before the KOM sprint at the halfway point, creating a key moment in the race. Kroutil chased hard to help close the move and bring the field back together. The race finished in a bunch sprint, where O'Donnell won the sprint across the combined field. Sophia Tripcevich (Berkeley, Calif.; Monarch Racing) was the top U19 finisher and moved into the Junior Women's 17-18 GC lead on the strength of the time bonus.
The final day criterium was another combined field race and stayed aggressive throughout. Fount Cycling Guild was active during the race, with teammates Heidi Hansen (Spearfish, S.D.; Fount Cycling Guild)and Bristol Albright (Brevard, N.C.; Fount Cycling Guild) taking sprint bonus points. Lily Nguyen (Brooklyn, N.Y.; Twenty28 Aevolo) and Kinsley Oberding (Apple Valley, Minn.; Move Up Cycling club) were also active near the front of the race.
In the final sprint, Tripcevich sprinted to the line for the win, locking in the Junior Women's 17-18 overall. O'Donnell rode in behind Tripcevich to secure the Junior Women's 15-16 overall title.
Automatic Selections
The 2026 USA Cycling Junior Road National Series is designed for junior riders who want to race at the national-level and be considered for future National Team opportunities. In partnership with the USA Juniors Cup, the series brings together top junior road races across the country, including three National Team Selection Events.
Top performers may be selected for National Team trips, European race camps, and the USA Cycling National Talent Identification Camp at the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.
Congratulations to the junior riders who earned automatic selections at Valley of the Sun.
USA Cycling National Team
Junior Women 17-18: Sophia Tripcevich (Berkeley, Calif.; Monarch Racing)
Junior Men 17-18: Jack Klau (Crozet, Va.; Hot Tubes Development Cycling Team)
USA Cycling Development Pathway European Camp
Junior Women 15-16: Liliana O'Donnell (Delmar, N.Y.; Competitive Edge Racing)
Photo credit: @hersh_creative, @jjsellinger, @vosstagerace
