40th Redlands Bicycle Classic Brings
Elite Cycling Back to Southern California
40th Edition Kicks off with Lake Perris Time Trial
Five Days of Pro and Junior Stage Racing in Redlands
The Redlands Bicycle Classic returns for its landmark 40th edition, bringing five days of world-class racing to Southern California from Wednesday, April 8 through Sunday, April 12. The event will kick off at Lake Perris with the individual time trial and conclude with its iconic Downtown Redlands finale.
Expanded Junior Racing Program Elevates Development Pathway
This year’s Redlands Bicycle Classic will feature top-tier professional men and women’s races alongside an expanded slate of junior categories supported by LLU Health sponsorship. The expansion marks a major milestone for junior racing—mirroring the pro men and women’s schedule for the first time. This elevated format provides young athletes the opportunity to experience stage racing at its highest level, complete with time trials, circuit races, and the grand finale in Downtown Redlands.
USA Junior Race Cup Series Strengthens National Competition
The expansion comes as part of the USA Junior Race Cup Series, in collaboration with USA Cycling, to position Redlands as a premiere national event for developing riders. With full integration alongside the professional races and support from LLU Health, the Classic continues its tradition of cultivating the next generation of American cycling talent.
Deep Pro Fields Headline 2026 Redlands Bicycle Classic
The pro men’s field is once again at full capacity with a 200-rider peloton, while the women’s race will showcase the largest field of the season with more than 150 competitors. 2025 pro men’s overall champion, Eder Frayre returns racing with L3gion of Los Angeles. The women’s defending champion, Alia Shafi, will not be at the starting line, leaving opportunities open for a highly competitive field.
Lake Perris Time Trial Opens Racing Action
Racing begins with the Toyota of Redlands Lake Perris Individual Time Trial, where riders will tackle an 11.2-mile course around Lake Perris. The pro women will start at 10:00 AM, followed by the pro men at 11:45 AM and junior categories at 1:45 PM.
2X Overall Champion,Tyler Stites, on the road to victory at
Lake Perris Time Trial in 2024
(2024 © VeloImages)
Top Contenders to Watch in Men’s and Women’s Fields
Among the standout favorites, two-time stage winner Virginia’s Blueridge Twenty28 Emily Ehrlich returns to Redlands, joined by top contenders Lauren Stephens, Katherine Rusch, and Ellexi Snover. On the men’s side, multiple overall champion Tyler Stites (Modern Adventure Racing) returns alongside notable TT specialists Joseph Laverick, Michael Garrison, Tim McBirney, and Hugo Scala, Jr.
New Trek–Hangar 24 Circuit Race Replaces Onyx Summit Stage
Stage 2 introduces the new Trek–Hangar 24 Circuit Race, replacing the traditional Onyx Summit route due to ongoing road repairs. The circuit format will emphasize speed and strategy, favoring sprinters and intensifying the battle for the points classification with multiple intermediate sprints and time bonuses available.
Crafton Hills Circuit Returns with Pavé and Rolling Terrain
2025 saw the debut of the Crafton Hills circuit race that captured images reminiscent of the Hell of the North. Riders raced through rolling, undulating hills featuring a 200-meter pavé section. Racing fans were on the edge of their seats, while riders hoped to finish without any major mechanicals. It was a thrilling stage, and are happy to see it return. Last year’s winners, Ellexi Snover (Speedblock Terún) and Quinn Felton (Project Echelon), are set to compete again in what promises to be another thrilling stage.
Ellexi Snovar (Fount Cycling) Wins
2025 Crafton Hills Circuit Race
(2025 ©VeloImages)
Stage 3 Crafton Hills Road Race Adds New Tactical Challenges
Following the ascent up to the Onyx Summit, stage 3 will feature a new 4.6-mile circuit road race in Crafton Hills. After two days of tough racing, the new circuit will provide opportunities to gain important points in the King of the Mountain competition ahead of Sunday’s Sunset Loop.
Technical Course Features Climbs, Descents, and Gravel Sector
The women’s race begins first at 8:30 A.M., racing 9 laps of the circuit, followed by the pro men at 10:45, racing 12 laps. The course includes a canyon road descent, a scenic climb, and a short unpaved section. Once the peloton heads out from the start, they will face a quick descent before hitting a rolling Fifth Ave. As they make a narrow left onto Walnut Street, climbing gently before continuing to a steep climb through tight curves on Overcrest Drive. Then, a sharp 330-degree left onto unpaved Tennessee Road for 200 meters before winding their way up a short and fast climb, reaching the finish. Time will tell if the stage will benefit the punchy sprinters in the bunch, or should the GC battle remain tight, the day will prove another tough one in the saddle for those fighting for the overall.
Downtown Redlands Hosts Community Events and Racing Festival
The action moves downtown for a full day of community celebration and racing. The day begins with the Hospitality Dental & Orthodontic Legend’s Fondo at 8 AM, offering participants the opportunity to ride routes featured in the 2026 RBC. Following the fondo start, youth cycling is up next, with more than 700 kids participating in our Stator Bros Charities Public School Duel. Spectators are encouraged to arrive early to enjoy the day’s festivities, including the event expo, where fans can browse local vendors and purchase official Redlands Bicycle Classic merchandise, all before our juniors race mid-day before the pros take center stage.
International Talent Deepens Competition Across Both Fields
Both the men and women’s professional fields feature a deep and dynamic lineup of top talent from across the Americas, stretching from Colombia to Canada. Modern Adventure Cycling is set for its first major domestic showdown against Project Echelon and L3gion of Los Angeles, while a host of opportunistic contenders lurk in their slipstream, ready to capitalize on any opening. The women’s race promises equal intensity, highlighted by the return of the Schneider sisters of L3gion of Los Angeles and a full-strength, veteran squad from Virginia’s Blue Ridge Twenty28. With such depth across both fields, fans can expect aggressive racing, tactical battles, and an electrifying atmosphere as Downtown Redlands comes alive.
Photo – Christy Nicholson / EchelonDesignPhoto.com
Sunset Loop Finale Set to Decide Overall Champions
After four demanding days of racing, the Community Alliance Medical Group Sunset Loop returns to deliver a dramatic grand finale. In recent years, the overall general classification for both the men’s and women’s fields has been decided by mere seconds—a trend that, given this year’s stacked lineup, is likely to continue.
Last season’s stage winner, Holly Breck (L3gion of Los Angeles) returns after a late-February crash at the Tucson Bicycle Classic, aiming to regain top form in time for the start. On the men’s side, Scott McGill, Jr. is back, now racing with Modern Adventure Cycling following a strong spring campaign in Europe. With everything on the line, the Sunset Loop will once again set the stage for a fierce and tactical showdown, as race leaders battle through the final circuits before sprinting to the line to crown the 2026 Redlands Bicycle Classic champions.
Top Photo – Christy Nicholson / EchelonDesignPhoto.com
