The USA Cycling Professional Road National Championships commenced in Charleston, West Virginia, featuring compelling time trial competitions. Taylor Knibb and Artem Shmidt of Netcompany INEOS emerged as the elite champions, each earning the coveted stars-and-stripes jerseys.
Knibb, a distinguished triathlete with Olympic medals and Ironman 70.3 world titles, demonstrated her prowess by securing her second elite women's national time trial championship. She decisively outpaced defending champion Emily Ehrlich by 45 seconds on the flat course, with gravel specialist Paige Onweller rounding out the top three. Knibb's previous victory in 2024 earned her a spot in the Paris Games Olympic time trial, where despite multiple crashes on a wet course, she finished 19th in her third cycling time trial. Her commanding performance suggests she remains a strong contender for the Los Angeles Olympics.
In the men's event, Artem Shmidt, a 22-year-old from Georgia representing Netcompany INEOS, successfully retained his national time trial title. Maintaining an impressive average speed of 52.32 kph (32 mph) over the 33.4km (20.7-mile) course, Shmidt edged out Lawrence Warbasse of Tudor Pro Cycling Team by just over 10 seconds, with William Barta, also from Tudor Pro Cycling Team, finishing third. Shmidt acknowledged the challenging windy conditions, stating his victory felt good despite the difficulty of the race itself. Several prominent American riders, such as Brandon McNulty, Matteo Jorgenson, and Kristen Faulkner, were absent due to their international WorldTour commitments.
The championships will continue with criterium races in downtown Charleston, followed by challenging road races on Sunday, featuring significant elevation gains. Both the women's and men's events will be broadcast live, showcasing the talent and determination of American cyclists. These championships not only highlight individual achievements but also foster a vibrant competitive spirit within the cycling community, inspiring dedication and pushing athletes to new heights in their pursuit of excellence.