2026 Collegiate National Championships Showcase
Top Collegiate Cycling Talent in Wisconsin
The 2026 Collegiate National Championships delivered exciting road racing action in Madison and Waterloo, where some of the nation’s strongest collegiate cyclists competed for national titles in the Varsity and Club Road Race Championships. Riders from leading university programs used aggressive tactics, coordinated teamwork, and decisive late-race attacks to battle for podium positions on the challenging Wisconsin courses.
Teams from Colorado Mesa University, Marian University, Savannah College of Art and Design, University of Arizona, and Colorado State University were among the standout programs during the championship weekend, highlighting the continued growth and competitiveness of collegiate cycling in the United States.
Ella Sabo Captures Varsity Road Race National Title
The Varsity Road Race Championship featured aggressive racing from the opening laps, with an early breakaway establishing a significant advantage over the field. Ella Sabo (Virginia’s Blue Ridge Twenty28) of Colorado Mesa University emerged as the national champion after a tactical sprint finish against fellow breakaway riders.
Varsity Road Race Champion Ella Sabo explained:
Early on, we established a break of 5 riders, that included me and another one of my CMU teammates. We grew our gap to over 4 minutes and with half of a lap to go, a rider attacked the breakaway, I followed the attack, and it turned into a group of 3 of us. She tried again, launching a late flyer but in the end we rounded the final corner together, me third wheel, and I won the slight uphill, drag sprint.
Varsity Road Race Championship Top Results
- Ella Sabo – Colorado Mesa University
- Stephanie Lawrence – Marian University
- Jette Aelken – Savannah School of Art and Design
- Cassidy Hickey – Colorado Mesa University
- Tess Edwards – Savannah School of Art and Design
Emmi Gilbert Wins Club Road Race Championship
The Club Road Race Championship also featured aggressive attacking and selective racing throughout the event. Emmi Gilbert (Virginia’s Blue Ridge Twenty28) from the University of Arizona secured the national title after launching a decisive move on the hills and maintaining the advantage to the finish line.
Club Road Race Champion Emmi Gilbert said:
I went into the race not knowing what to expect from the other teams. I wanted to see if I could try and get away to avoid a bunch sprint. My teammates made the effort hard to keep the speed up and I attacked on one of the backside hills. A couple of riders followed and we formed a break, gaining more and more time. Eventually those riders backed off and I just rode hard all the way to the finish. I couldn’t have imagined a better race, thank you University of Arizona for sending the best squad ever.
Club Road Race Championship Top Results
- Emmi Gilbert – University of Arizona
- Hannah Stackpole – Cal Poly
- Molly Roberts – University of Michigan
- Ella Zimmerman – Colorado State University
- Ellin Hartman – Colorado State University
Ella Sabo added:
Winning the individual omnium at Collegiate Road Nationals was a huge team effort from start to finish. After taking second in the team time trial and winning the road race, everything came down to the final criterium. Going into the last day, CMU held a narrow lead over Marian in the team omnium, so every point mattered. The criterium was a flat four-corner course with long straightaways, and although the pace stayed controlled for most of the race, the intermediate sprints were quick. My teammate and I were able to win all four bonus sprints, which played a major role in securing both the individual and team omnium titles. In the final sprint, we put three CMU riders in contention, but were edged out for the win and I finished second. To come away with the overall omnium title and help our team defend the omnium competition made for an exciting weekend of racing.
2026 Collegiate National Championships Results
Collegiate Cycling Continues to Grow Nationwide
The 2026 Collegiate National Championships once again demonstrated the depth of talent within collegiate cycling programs across the United States. The championship races showcased developing riders, strong university programs, and the increasing level of competition within collegiate road racing.
With tactical racing, successful breakaways, and strong individual performances, the event highlighted why collegiate cycling remains an important pathway for emerging riders looking to advance within the sport.
Photo courtesy of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Twenty28
