With the U23 national cross title already under his belt, Lance Haidet added a second national championship to his palmares, winning the U23 road race after a late solo attack. 

 

“It was a pretty special day,” Haidet said. “We went into the race with a solid plan A, but made a couple on the fly adjustments while out on the road. In the end it totally paid off. I am super proud of how every single one my teammates rode yesterday and certainly couldn’t have done it without them. I’m so stoked to secure the back to back national titles for Aevolo.”

 

Aevolo went into the race with a few cards to play, but because Alex Hoehn went into the race as defending champion, there was the added pressure of being heavily marked.

 

From the get-go, each rider on the team contributed to shaping the complexion of the race. Riley Sheehan was in a major early move with recently crowned time trial champion Ian Garrison and the two pulled out a one minute advantage, forcing other teams to chase. Next to go was a bold move from national collegiate champion Cade Bickmore that drew out some of the hopefuls, allowing Michael Hernandez to follow wheels in a dangerous bridging move. 

 

With intensifying crosswinds and a shrinking peloton, Bickmore was brought back. Haidet joined a counterattacking group of five with each big team represented. With one lap to go, the gap was a minute back to the peloton, and 15 seconds to solo chaser, defending U23 champion, Hoehn.

 

With less than 10 kilometres to go, three riders were left in the lead group. On the final climb, Haidet attacked with full force, established a five second gap, and held it all the way to the line. 

 

“It was powerful being at the finish and watching his Aevolo teammates come in and celebrate the victory together,” director Jono Coulter said. “These guys spend so much time on the road, training, suffering, setting each other up for success. It’s a treat to watch them share in success.”