Photo: Casey B. Gibson
THANK YOU FOR A GREAT YEAR!
December 31st, 2019
As we approach the end of another successful season and begin to open a fresh one in 2020, the Aevolo family would like to honor our generous donors who help make it all possible. Without your help, our young team of development riders couldn’t have enjoyed all the learning and success they did this past year.
Our 2019 season began with our first ever international trip to Tour Colombia, a UCI 2.1 stage race. The Aevolo squad had the chance to compete against some of the best names in the world, including Chris Froome, Egan Bernal, and Rigoberto Uran. The electric atmosphere and world class competition set the focus on more racing opportunities domestically, and the team brought the same intensity to each upcoming challenge.
At the UCI Tour of the Gila, Michael Hernandez took home the sprinters jersey and, on the final day up the infamous Gila Monster climb, Alex Hoehn and Tyler Stites took second and third, respectively.
After Gila, three Aevolo riders were selected to represent the US national team during the Amgen Tour of California. Stites collected the Young Rider jersey on Stage 2, Hoehn the KOM jersey on day 3, and Hernandez the Most Courageous Rider on day 4. After the final stage, 2018 U23 road champion Alex Hoehn was awarded the Overall Most Courageous Rider jersey, after a long solo breakaway in one of the race’s most challenging stages.
At the beginning of June, we said goodbye to Luis Villalobos who moved up to EF Education First for the remainder of the season. The Mexican time trial champion was noticed by the WorldTour team after his incredible performances at the 2018 Tour of Utah, where he proved his potential by winning the best young rider jersey. We’re proud to be a part of Villalobos’ accomplishments and work hard to offer more deserving U23 athletes the same opportunity through our development program in the future.
The green and gold Aevolo colors were peppered with red, white and blue during national championship season, when Lance Haidet soloed to a terrific win in the U23 road race, keeping the stars and stripes jersey in the Aevolo family after Hoehn won it the year prior. Michael Hernandez followed suit a few days later, claiming victory in the U23 criterium.
With a handful of riders headed to Europe with the national team, opportunities opened up for new stagiaires to take on the Tour of Utah in August. Scott Mcgill, Eric Brunner and Conor Schunk came into fold to test the elite level waters and raced aggressively each day.
Most recently, Gage Hecht capitalized on his form with an impressive win at the Cyclocross National Championships in Tacoma, Washington on December 15. Hecht's Donnelly-Aevolo teammate and friend, Lance Haidet, also competed in the elite category and finished a strong fifth place.
The 2020 season is fast approaching, with our first start at the Jayco Herald Sun Tour in Australia in early February. Plans are in the works for a European campaign in the spring, while taking the start line on the domestic scene as well.
As always, we value and thank our fans and donors who support us each step of the way.
Visit our website, aevolocycling.org, to learn more about our story, how to donate, and what’s next for the Aevolo team.