AEVOLO RIDERS REPRESENTING TEAM USA - SUMMER RECAP.

Summer Team USA Wrap.

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Maryland Cycling Classic was a banner day for Aevolo Cycling riders past and present. Aevolo Alumni Scott McGill, Riley Sheehan & Tyler Stites placed 7th, 9th & 14th respectively with Cade Bickmore contributing magnificently to the effort.

For current Aevolo riders Toby Klein and Brooks Wienke, representing Team USA in support of Tour de France star Matteo Jorgenson, it was one of the biggest days of the year. Hear what they had to say about the race:

Toby Klein: "Starting with our pre race plan, the goal was to set up our obvious leader Matteo to be In position when the main WT teams launched their attacks. Other than that we were given the freedom to race aggressively and make our own opportunities. Thankfully I had quite a good knowledge of the course being a local and I rode quite effectively in the bunch, saving legs and managing the 93 degree average heat. At the base of the 2nd KOM I made a positioning error that caught behind a team car and 3 motors who were blocking the entire road, causing around 20-30 riders to be completely separated from the peloton right before EF made their move up the climb. This threw me into recovery mode as I sprinted to catch the furthest group I could. From there I made my way from group to group before being in the main chasing group of around 40 riders. Entering the circuits the heat grew to a gnarly 101ish average on the tarmac. At this point the race was dictated by how well you conserved and dealt with the heat, and having done a good job I was able to sneak away from the peloton with 6 other riders to score a top 30 result on the day. I always am shooting for that flashy result, but nonetheless this race left me satisfied with my season and hungry for more high level racing".

Brooks Wienke: "Maryland Cycling Classic was tough, the heat definitely played a big part in how the day shook out. From the gun, I worked to keep things covered and keep Matteo in good position. The first 30 minutes of the race were very fast. Once a break went, things chilled out a bit and we focused on fueling and hydrating for the rest of the day. I went back to feed for the team before the 2nd KOM, and when I returned to the peloton before the base of the climb, EF began to light it up. This caught me on the back foot and I ended up getting separated along with a few other guys who had complications behind a moto. There was a hard chase over the top of the climb, but with EF pushing hard in front of the peloton, there was not much ground to be made. The heat caught up to me soon after. We rode back to Baltimore as quickly as we could in the grupetto, but we were stopped at the entry to the final circuits. This race was a great opportunity and learning experience being able to ride alongside Matteo. I feel very confident in how I was riding and positioning at the beginning of the race amongst the most competitive field I’ve ever been a part of. The unsatisfying finish of my race has only left me with a fire that will burn through the off-season and keep me focused on the work I need to put in for next season. I’m really grateful to have had this opportunity and for all of USAC’s support!"

Sean Christian scored 6th- a valuable European Top Ten on the Final Stage of Flanders Tomorrow Tour in Belgium against some of the strongest U23 riders in the World. The result marked a bookending of sorts for the Aevolo rider, having nabbed 9th place in Stage 1.

Here is how the race unfolded in his own words: “It was an odd race as no one wanted to contest the overall so we were able to spend most of the race conserving energy for the final. With about 10km to go Quinn got me to the front to meet up with Gabe and Brody. We tried to ride together to the best of our ability but the peloton was all pretty fresh so it was full speed and full contact, we bounced around the group for the next couple of kilometers before the long final straight where it became survival. I never got to fully open my sprint so I just moved through as many people as possible and found myself 6th”. A fine effort by the whole team and they can hold their heads high representing the Stars & Stripes. 
 

The 2023 UCI Road Cycling World Championships report: 

Brody McDonald kept Aevolo & Team USA fans on the edge of their seats as he powered himself into the main move of the day at U23 UCI Road World Championships in Glasgow, Scotland on Saturday, August 12th. Initially the move of 12 riders was the early breakaway forming before 20k into the 168.4km stage. Brody had latched onto the wheel of newly crowned World TT Champion Lorenzo Milenesi to embed himself in the seriously dangerous move, giving USA representation along with France, Italy, Great Britain, Norway, Spain, United Arab Emirates, Germany & Colombia, whilst Belgium was one of the big teams to miss the boat- much to the consternation of the Belgian National Coach who repeatedly slammed the steering wheel of his follow car in dismay. Into the finish circuits in Downtown Glasgow with a lead of over 75 seconds and on the criterium style course it seemed Brody was in with a fighting chance of making the day his own. Alas with just under 1 hour to race the breakaway split into two groups and Brody was caught in the 2nd group of 4- still throwing punches like a hungry bull terrier. In the finale it was an amazing Axel Laurence who took the U23 Rainbow Jersey with USA riders Luke Lamperti and Colby Simmons in 15th & 16th place. Brody rode in a defiant 41st after being caught by the chasers in the final loops but can hold his head high on a ride well done, representing his Country, his Team, and Himself with fire & panache.  
World Championship Images by @thepenultimatestage

Earlier in the week, Evan Boyle represented Team USA in the Under 23 Individual Time Trial. In his first year in the category, Evan rode a scintillating 47.4kph mph for the 36.2km course through the Scottish countryside with a tricky cobbled climb to the finish. A fine 25th place from 89 competitors. We think it’s time to revisit Evan’s poem from after the U23 Nationals where he punched his ticket to Worlds: 
“Go go go” is what I hear in my ear, 
Not giving my absolute best is my deepest fear, 
For my bike is magnificent, 
And my crew, resplendent. 
I have trained for weeks and weeks, 
And now I ride up the hills yearning for the peaks. 
While I give it my all, I think I should have played football. 
I tuck my head and grip my bars, 
I pedal harder with no regards, 
While my legs say no, All I hear is “go go go”