Lizbeth Salazar (L39ION of Los Angeles) and Cade Bickmore (Project Echelon Racing) took the crowns for elite women and men at the 2023 Sunny King Criterium.
With the win, Salazar moved into a tie with teammate Alexis Ryan for second in the women’s individual standings of the American Criterium Cup, a 10-event US racing series which saw Anniston, Alabama, as the second stop last Saturday. Andrea Cyr (Miami Nights) finished fifth in Anniston and jumped into the ACC lead.
Alexis Ryan, who finished third at Sunny King last year, pulled teammates Salazar and Kendall Ryan, the two-time US Pro Crit champion, through the final two corners. The L39ION duo ignited their pace on the short, uphill finish in downtown Anniston and hit the finish just ahead of Sarah van Dam (DNA Pro Cycling), who took third. The Miami Nights pair of Paola Muñoz and Cyr trailed in fourth and fifth.
On the men’s side, Danny Summerhill (American Cycling) used his fifth-place finish to jump past Athens Twilight Criterium winner Bryan Gomez (Miami Nights) for the men’s lead in the ACC individual standings and also move into the sprint lead. Gomez, who did not race in Anniston, is tied for third in individual points with Bickmore, while Alfredo Rodriguez (Miami Nights) is second.
In the traditional late-evening finish under the lights, the men’s race looked to be a repeat victory for Rodriguez, who won Sunny King last year. With under 50 metres to go on the uphill rise to the line, he raised his arms to celebrate victory, but the post-up came too early, and the Miami Nights rider was pipped by Bickmore. Rodriguez settled for second, and Ty Magner (L39ION of Los Angeles) took third.
Results
Women's results powered by FirstCycling
| Pos. | Rider Name (Country) Team | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cade Bickmore (Project Echelon Racing) | |
| 2 | Alfredo Rodriguez (Miami Nights) | |
| 3 | Ty Magner (L39ION of Los Angeles) | |
| 4 | Clever Martinez (Miami Nights) | |
| 5 | Danny Summerhill (American Cycling) | |
| 6 | Brandon Feehery (Blazers) | |
| 7 | Sam Morris (Project Echelon Racing) | |
| 8 | Will Hardin (Project Echelon Racing) | |
| 9 | Gavin Hoover (L39ION of Los Angeles) | |
| 10 | Frank Travieso (Miami Nights) |
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