Two big stage races this weekend between Arizona and California meant tough choices for riders hunting for spring fitness and competition.
Racers traveled from across the U.S., Canada and Mexico to the Tucson Bicycle Classic and the Chico Stage Race, both of which involve a time trial, road race and circuit race over three days. Chico also includes a crit.
Julie Kuliecza (Hagens Berman | Supermint) said her team decided to race TBC because they love Tucson.
“The race is really well run and we really enjoyed all three stages,” Kuliecza said. “We were able to have a pretty solid second team camp, ride iconic Mt. Lemmon, Saguaro, Picture Rocks and Gates Pass and really work on team tactics.”
Get your race wrap-up below along with full results from both events.
Tucson Bicycle Classic
Silber Pro Cycling’s Nickolas Zukowsky hung on to the General Classification for his team in the end in the Men’s Pro field, making up his own 21-second deficit during the circuit race on the final day by placing second behind H&R Block Pro Cycling’s MarcAntoine Nadon.
Zukowsky’s teammate Alec Cowen won the time trial on Day 1. Anton Varabei (Toronto Hustle) took the win at the road race on Day 2.
Zukowksy’s decision to go in a breakaway in the circuit race was what put him over the top in GC, he said.
“I basically followed a couple of moves like all my teammates during the race, and I ended up in a breakaway with Adam Roberge [Silber] and Dannick Vandale [Silber] which was a good combination for the stage win and general classification,” Zukowsky said. “A rider tried to break away from the group and I followed with a rider from [H&R Block Pro Cycling]. They rode hard for three laps and I just sat on as they were not far behind me on GC and they are two strong sprinters. I wasn’t fast enough to take the stage win but secured the overall.”
Hagens Berman | Supermint’s Jennifer Leubke also managed to come away with a GC victory in the Women’s Pro field after holding on to her overall lead all three days. Swapit Agolico’s Paola Munoz won Day 3’s circuit race with a strong sprint unmatched by her competitors.
Leubke set the standard on Day 1 in the time trial while Jamie Gilgen (RISE Racing) crossed the line first in the road race on Day 2.
Tucson Bicycle Classic Full Results
Chico Stage Race
Rally Cycling’s Summer Moak and Sara Bergen shared spots on the Women’s Pro podium after Day 1’s circuit race and Day 2’s road race, with Moak winning the circuit race and Bergen finishing third, sandwiching UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling’s Lauretta Hansen into second.
Then it was Bergen who stood atop the podium after Day 2’s road race, with teammate Moak in second, followed by DNA Cycling Team’s Hanna Muegge in third.
At press time Moak was sitting in first place for GC with Bergen behind by two seconds.
On the Men’s Pro side, Justin Williams (Williams Racing) took the win in Day 1’s circuit race, while Quinten Kirby (Marc Pro Cycling) won Day 2’s road race.
But based on GC times, it was Alex Hoehn (Aevolo Cycling) in the lead going into Day 3’s crit and time trial.
At press time, riders were just beginning Day 3’s time trial and the same day’s crit results hadn’t been posted yet.
Chico Stage Race Live Results
Chico Stage Race Full Results