Redlands Bicycle Classic Time Trial Results and Highlights

Brunner, Ehrlich Take Opening Wins

at Redlands Bicycle Classic Time Trial

Eric Brunner (Project Echelon) and Emily Ehrlich (Virginia’s Blue Ridge TWENTY28) opened the 2026 Redlands Bicycle Classic with impressive wins in Wednesday’s Toyota of Redlands individual time trial at scenic Lake Perris State Park, taking the first pro leader’s jerseys of the week.

Pro Women’s Race

Ehrlich delivered a dominant performance to win the opening stage and take the early overall lead, marking her third career victory on the Lake Perris course.

“I love this course,” Ehrlich said. “It’s always hard, it never really lets up, and it just keeps getting more difficult the whole way. That’s why I like it. It’s been a while since I’ve had a solid road block going into a stage race, so it feels really good to come back here and get the win.”

Ehrlich said she looks forward to the fresh courses on offer in the 40th edition of Redlands Bicycle Classic.

“It’s exciting because a lot of the courses this week are new to me,” she said. “I feel like something always happens on Sunset, so I think it’s going to come down to that again.”

Jamie Chapman (Aegis x Leaders of Enchantment) finished second on the day, followed by teammate Lauren Stephens in third. Katherine Rusch (CCB Kenetik p/b Levine Law Group) and Ashley Frye (Competitive Edge Racing) completed the top five.

“I’m super psyched, especially that my teammate Lauren is also on the podium,” Chapman said. “It was a perfect day, with just a light wind, kind of a tailwind on the technical, flowy sections, then a headwind as we came around the lake into the more technical part. I really tried to hit that hill hard and then, after the U-turn, keep the power on and bring it home.

“I’m feeling really good coming into this race. I feel strong physically, and my team is really awesome,” she added. “We’ve got a great mix of more experienced riders and some young rider contenders, so we have a nice range of strengths. We’re a really cohesive group, and I’m excited to light it up with them over the next four stages.”

Pro Men’s Race

Eric Brunner set the fastest time of the day in the men’s pro race, covering the 11.2-mile course in 21:41 to claim the stage victory. Nathanial Martin (Speedblock-Terún) was second with a time of 21:48 and Winston-Salem’s Owen Cole rounded the podium in third finishing in 21:49.

“It was hard, it was hot, and honestly, I wasn’t feeling great in the warm-up, but I just went out and did my thing,” Brunner said after the race. “The start delay made it a little stressful, but it was the same for everyone, so I just had to see how it played out. With the heat, I shortened my warm-up a bit and just tried to keep it simple.

“It was a little breezy out there, but definitely easier conditions than last year, so I didn’t notice it too much,” he added. “It’s a great start to the week. With no big climb this year, I kind of look at Redlands as a series of one-day races, especially with how important time bonuses are, so I think that’s going to matter even more this time around.”

Eric Brunner rides to victory for Project Echelon at
Stage 1 Toyota of Redlands Lake Perris Time Trial
Photo: ©VeloImages / Redlands Bicycle Classic

Joseph Laverick (Team Unknown) and Jack Diemar (Kelly Benefits Cycling) rounded out the top five.

“It was tough,” Martin said. “I felt like the wind was coming from every direction. We thought it would be one way, but I was hitting headwinds in different sections. Whenever I felt myself slowing down, I just tried to push a little harder and save something for the hill at the end. I kind of died on that last stretch, but I got to the line in a good time.

“This is my second year racing Redlands, so I’m really happy to improve on last year’s TT result,” he added. “We’ve got a really strong team for the circuit races and crits, and a good mix of riders who can perform across different stages, so hopefully we can get some solid results throughout the week.”

With time gaps now established after the opening race against the clock, the race shifts Thursday to Stage 2 and the debut of the Trek–Hangar 24 Circuit Race.

The new circuit replaces the traditional Onyx Summit road stage due to ongoing road repairs. Multiple intermediate sprints and time bonuses will be on offer making the bid for the sprint and GC competitions an intense battle.