Team Sunweb’s Coryn Rivera (USA) is the new USA National Road Race Champion, after a fantastic team effort with teammate Ruth Winder (USA) saw the sprint contested by a reduced group in Knoxville.
Rivera said: “This was a race of attrition and patience and the win means the world to me. I had a teammate here which made the biggest difference. At the end of the day, this is a team sport and I couldn’t have done this on my own. I’m absolutely ecstatic; it’s been a long time coming and I’m really happy to take the win now. After all of the hard work that me and Ruth put in through the race, it’s great that I could finish it off.”
Team Sunweb coach Hans Timmermas (NED) said: “Yesterday we had a meeting with myself, Coryn and Ruth to create the plan and we also had contact during the race. We had planned to stay calm, not to interfere too much during the race, and to wait until the final until we made the race. Ruth did a great job – she rode fantastically, was always in control and made sure Coryn didn’t have to do anything. In the final Coryn followed an attack and then counter-attacked to take the win. It was a brilliant job with two girls in the race, we worked perfectly as a team together and we really have to compliment Ruth who sacrificed her own chances for Coryn and the team goal.”
Megan Guarnier (Boels Dolmans Cycling Team) finished 2nd followed by Rally Cycling’s Emma White in 3rd.
Pro Men’s Road Race
In the Pro men’s race, Jonathan Brown (Hagens Berman / Axeon) soloed to victory to secure the National title and stars and stripes jersey. Robin Carpenter (Rally Cycling) finished 2nd with Jacob Rathe (Jelly Belly pb Maxxis) rounded out the podium for 3rd.
Video Highlights:
Photo – Cor Vos | Team Sunweb