USA Cycling professional time trial preview - Women
Carmen Small looking to defend title
View Original
View Original
View Original
View Original
Many of the fastest time trialists in the nation will be on the start line at the USA Cycling professional time trial championships held on Saturday, May 24 in Chattanooga, TN, outside the factory of title sponsor Volkswagen.
Many of the women who will be competing in the time trial had an opportunity to race against one another at the Tour of California time trial held on May 12 in Folsom. Alison Powers (UnitedHealthcare) won that 20.1km course ahead of Brianne Walle and Jade Wilcoxson (Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies) and Tayler Wiles (Specialized-lululemon).
Defending time trial champion, Carmen Small (Specialized-lululemon) won the Tour of California's circuit race, however, she ended up finishing seventh during the time trial, losing just over a minute to Powers.
Other riders to watch are former champion Evelyn Stevens (Specialized-lululemon) Alison Tetrick and Amber Gaffney (Twenty16 Pro Cycling), Robin Farina (Spy Giant Ride p/b MRI) and Mara Abbott (UnitedHealthcare), among others.
Racers will have one hour to warm up on the time trial course prior to the start of the professional races. The first rider from the professional and Cat 1/2 women's category will start at 11:00 am.
Riders will complete two laps of a 15.4km circuit, totaling roughly 30.9km. They will leave the starting ramp and travel along Volkswagen Dr, enter a roundabout and veer right onto Discovery Rd. They will then take a hard righthand turn onto Hickory Valley Rd, which will sweep to the left and then to the right toward the first turnaround point. Riders will make their way back through the start-finish line on Volkswagen Rd and continue on to the second turnaround point before returning to the finish line.
It is expected to be a fast course off the starting ramp and mainly rolling downhill and flat, however, the most challenging part of the course will be after the first turnaround, where the course undulates predominantly uphill on the way back to the start-finish line.
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
After the time trial, USA Cycling professional road championships will continue on Monday, May 26 with a road race in Chattanooga.
Kirsten Frattini has been the Editor of Cyclingnews since December 2025, overseeing editorial operations and output across the brand and delivering quality, engaging content.
She manages global budgets, racing & events, production scheduling, and contributor commissions, collaborating across content sections and teams in the UK, Europe, North America, and Australia to ensure audience and subscription growth across the brand.
Kirsten has a background in Kinesiology and Health Science. She has been involved in cycling from the community and grassroots level to professional cycling's biggest races, reporting on the WorldTour, Spring Classics, Tours de France, World Championships and Olympic Games.
Latest on Cyclingnews
-
'I'm happy I'm still alive and able to continue to try to live my dream of a WorldTour career' – Ex-Ineos talent Theodor Storm signs for new team after nightmare three years
Danish rider missed 2024 with a rare immune-system disease and 2026 with a broken back, but he's not done with the sport -
Lighter, stiffer, but is it more aero? We wind tunnel tested the Giant Propel
The Propel looks very similar on the outside, but Giant claims some big system benefits that reduce drag by more than 14 watts. Has it worked? -
Exquisite titanium, AI-enabled concept bikes, 32-inch gravel tech and even a new rim brake bike: All the tech that caught our eye at Rouleur Live 2026
Over 80 photos from the final bike tech gathering of the year -
'I was getting less and less enjoyment from modern cycling' – Julian Alaphilippe opens up for first time about retirement and knowing when to stop
French rider said he had 'had enough of the limelight' and is content with his decision to stop racing



