Henry Coote (Competitive Edge Racing) rode away from the 46-rider field for a solo victory in the men's U23 race at USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships. It was the first stars-and-stripes jersey for the 18-year-old.
Ivan Sippy (Colorado Mesa University) earned the silver medal, riding 25 seconds behind Coote. Defending U23 champion Jack Spranger (Bear CX) was another 11 seconds back to complete the podium with bronze.
A locomotive line of 49 riders strung out across Joe Creason Park immediately from a fast start, last year's winner setting the pace at the front with Comp Edge teenager. After the opening lap, the chase to the duo was led by Miles Mattern (CXD Trek Bikes), Dylan Zakrajsek (Competitive Edge Racing) and Luke Walter (Cervélo-Orange Living).
On the second pass of the off-camber section at 'mansion hill', the leaders tried to ride the rock stairs, Spranger slipping. But then Coote took a pass and slipped in another corner. In the chase, Sippy moved into the chase group of three, as Walter slipped back, now 21 seconds behind the leaders.
The twisting, hillier Louisville track for 2024 saw thick, heavy mud develop over the many laps of racing on Saturday, first by junior riders and then the U23 women. While no moisture fell from the sky, early frost on the grass and dirt path melted as temperatures pushed over 40°F. Corners became slippery and bike exchanges in the pits became frequent to eliminate the buildup of mud.
On the third of six laps, Sippy dispatched Kakrajsek and Mattern and passed Spranger for second place. Coote rode solo at the front at the mid-way point with a seven-second advantage to Sippy and Spranger.
Coote remained smooth over back half of the contest and remained alone at the front for the victory. He was third last year in the men's junior 17-18 division. He showed top form coming into Louisville as he won a UCI C2 race in the elite category in October, winning the second day of racing at Really Rad Festival of Cyclocross.
Sippy improved one spot from his bronze finish in 2023. The 21-year-old from Durango, Colorado won a gold medal on Thursday in the men's varsity collegiate race, finishing ahead of Spranger.
Results
Results powered by FirstCycling
-
'It's a credit to women's cycling that nobody dominates' – 2025 Giro leader Anna Henderson analyses where she, Lidl-Trek and the sport are all heading in 2026
Lidl-Trek pro enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2025 with her first two WorldTour wins -
Peter Stetina takes the microphone for live stream at Santa Vall; Deanna Mayles wins Old Man Winter as former winner Maddie Munro goes off course - Gravel Bits
Meg Fisher, Kristen Legan among Gravel Hall of Fame inductees with Chase Wark taking Community Impact Award, and USA Cycling expands Junior Gravel National Series -
'A real bucket list year' - Recently-retired 15-year road pro Michael Woods launches endurance campaign on gravel at Santa Vall then Unbound Gravel 200
'Being a privateer, as I'm learning now, is a big undertaking' former Canadian road champion sets sights on variety, from Unbound to Ironman and skimo in between -
Premier Tech to sponsor 2026 Montréal Road World Championships with a women's GP Québec and Montréal the next goal for Canadian cycling
Québec-based company invests in cycling again after major European team sponsorships
