Pro Women’s Race: Shafi Dominates Women’s Time Trial at Lake Perris
Stage 1 of the Redlands Bicycle Classic presented by San Manuel Band of Mission Indians began with the Toyota of Redlands Lake Perris Individual Time Trial. Alia Shafi rode to victory for Fount Cycling with a time of 25:04 after finishing second last season, earning the first yellow general classification jersey of the week. Shafi was given the number 301 as the last rider to start after finishing second overall last year. Her teammates would join her on the podium, sweeping Stage 1 with Jennifer Wheeler finishing second (25:28) and Majorie Rinaldo in third (25:43).
Challenging Conditions Test the Field at Redlands Classic
The 11.7-mile loop around the lake was the second year in a row the location was used in the 40 years of the Redlands Classic. Riders rolled out the starting house underneath blue skies and increasing heat, with only a slight head wind fighting them to the finish. Temperatures hovered in the mid-80s. However, with half the peloton arriving to California from Northern locations or the East Coast, the warm temperatures were a shock to the system.
Shafi Reflects on Victory and Team Goals
“Compared to last year, I felt a little bit more comfortable,” Shafi said after the stage. “I knew I could make a little time and I had a plan; I think I executed it well. This is my third year at Redlands. I’ve been hunting this down since last year, we were so close – shout out to Nadia (Gontova) who crushed it with DNA. We’re coming hungry this year, hoping to keep yellow all week.”
Wheeler’s Comeback and Mentorship Journey
Wheeler has returned to racing, after retiring she focused her efforts on building Fount Cycling Guild with her partner, David Richter. They guided and coached a number of athletes that came through their program including WorldTour rider Veronica Ewers. They would later meet Shafi, recognizing the talent of the collegiate rower. After directing Shafi the last few seasons, Wheeler wanted to take it a step further and race alongside her.
“We brought Alia up since she was a noob and didn’t even know how to shift a bike,” Wheeler said. “I don’t know how more years she’s going to be racing, but I really wanted to come back and be with her to support her in the peloton. That was my primary motivation this year to get back to racing…its just such a great team. They motivate me to be my best so I’m really happy.”
Rinaldo Takes Podium After Mid-Race Confusion
Madison Gallagher (Team Winston Salem) had been timed as finishing third upon crossing the finish, however, she quickly informed the officials she had taken a wrong turn out on course. After a delay due to the men’s start, the correction confirmed Rinaldo in third. Shafi would double up with a lead in the sprint points classification, sharing the jersey with Wheeler for stage 2.
Rising Star Sidney Swierenga Wins Best Young Rider Jersey
17-year-old Canadian Sidney Swierenga (TaG Cycling) also had an incredible ride, finishing 5th in 25:58 to earn the newly minted Best Young Rider jersey for the pro women.
Pro Men’s Race: Laverick Claims Pro Men’s Time Trial Victory
As the women celebrated their podium finishes, the pro men were off as the temperatures began to rise. Cole Owen with Team Winston Salem would clock the first fast time of 22:17, a few seconds shy of Tyler Stites 22:20 winning time last year. Hugo Scala, Jr. would start less than 10 minutes behind Owen, as the first rider for Project Echelon out of the starting house. His 21:58 time would hold for much of the day, hoping to take the GC lead for his team.
Joe Laverick (Good Guys Racing NYC) was among the final 15 riders to finish when he stopped the clock at 21:50, the only other rider to join Scala in finishing under 22-minutes, winning the stage. Eric Brunner (Competitive Edge Racing) rounded the podium in third with a time of 22:01.
Joseph Laverick steals Stage 1 victory for Good Guys Racing NYC
Photo: ©Veloimages
Heat and Determination Shape the Men’s Race
“It was hot, very, very hot,” Laverick said following his victory. “We’ve done a lot of recon laps the last three or four days, so it was kind of nice to put it all together. I’ll be honest, I felt absolutely horrendous for half of the day. I crossed the line and luckily I heard I got the fastest time. I just kept my fingers crossed, hoping the other guys wouldn’t catch me and kept yellow.
“I’m only guest riding for the Good Guys team, but they’ve looked after me like I’m one of their own,” Laverick added. “Tomorrow is a big day. Based on how Project Echelon rode last year, I know they’re gonna throw the kitchen sink at me, both tomorrow and the next four days. The circuit at the bottom is going to change it a bit, but at the end of the day, it’s a power test until the top of the climb. Hopefully, I can out climb a couple boys….we shall see.”
Paralympic Medalist Elouan Gardon Impresses with 7th Place
Redlands has become known as a land where legends are born. Team California’s Elouan Gardon is one of many examples we are sure to witness this week. Gardon races for the US National Paralympic Team, having won a bronze medal at the 2024 Summer Games in the men’s pursuit C5 4,000-meter individual pursuit para-cycling track event. He followed that performance by setting a new course record at Phoenix’ Valley of the Sun stage race this past February. The 18-year-old would finish 7th on the stage Wednesday, after sitting second for most of the day.
“It was fun to get out here, even though it was hot and a little different than Washington,” Gardon said. “I enjoyed the technical aspect of it and the little climb at the end; it was a nice length. This is my first race with Team California, I have only been with them for a week. I just want to do as well as I can, defend this jersey, and do well for the team.”
High Stakes Ahead on Onyx Summit Climb
Thursday is expected to be the hottest day of the week in Southern California, with temperatures nearing 90 degrees. Only eleven seconds separates the top three on GC. Laverick’s teammate last year, Cole Davis, won the stage giving him confidence leading into a tough battle in his defense of the yellow jersey. The pro men will begin their 75.5-miles with 10 laps around the newly minted circuit before heading up the long climb to the Onyx Summit. The women will soon follow with six laps of their own before they face the long, steep ascent to the top. Time will tell if the new circuit hands over the battle of a whittled down peloton race organizers are hoping for.
Top Photo – Alia Shafi takes the win and the first yellow jersey for Fount Cycling Guild – VeloImages / Redlands Bicycle Classic
