Team USA Races Inaugural Cycling Esports World Championships

December 9, 2020

U.S. earns 5 top-10 finishes with Stephens as top finisher, placing 4th in the Women’s Race.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The 2020 UCI Cycling Esports World Championships, taking place in the virtual Watopia, commenced Wednesday, December 9^th, 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 4^th with Godbe right behind in 5^th. Matsen Ko and Kulchinsky finished in the top 10 placing 7^th and 9^th, 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 9^th.

Final Results:

Elite Women

1. Ashleigh Moolman Pasio RSA 1:13:27
2. Sarah Gigante AUS +0.064
3. Cecilia Hansen SWE +1.24
4. Lauren Stephens USA +1.26
5. Jacquie Godbe USA +1.39
6. Lauren Matsen Ko USA +1.53
7. Kristen Kulchinsky  USA +6.11

Elite Men

1. Jason Osborne GER    1:05:15
2. Andrew Foldager DEN +1.74
3. Nicklas Pedersen DEN +2.09
4. Ryan Larson USA +3.10

Visit USACycling.org for more information on the athletes, events and membership programs, and follow @USACycling across all channels for the latest on Team USA.

For more information, contact Angelina Palermo at apalermo@usacycling.org

ABOUT USA CYCLING (usacycling.org)

USA Cycling is a proud member of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC). Within the United States, USA Cycling is the national governing body for the sport of cycling and oversees the disciplines of road, track, mountain bike, cyclocross, and BMX. With a mission to develop the sport of cycling in the United States and to achieve sustained international racing success, USA Cycling supports cyclists at all levels, from those just beginning in the sport and participating in fun rides to seasoned professionals. The organization not only identifies, develops, and selects cyclists to represent the United States in international competition, but also supports amateur bike racing through grassroots development programs and the provision of critical infrastructure to run organized racing.

USA Cycling is headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2020. In 1920, the organization began as The Amateur Bicycle League of America and evolved to become the United States Cycling Federation in 1975 and ultimately USA Cycling, Inc. in 1995. USA Cycling’s 100,000+ members are comprised of racers and cyclists of all ages and abilities, coaches, officials, mechanics, and race directors.