Kate Courtney Surprises Road Racers to Win U.S. Cycling National Championships; Quinn Simmons Claims Third Straight Road Title

Two-time defending road champion Kristen Faulkner withdrew from the 2026 U.S. Cycling National Championships due to “travel chaos,” allowing Kate Courtney to seize the spotlight with a stunning victory in the elite women’s road race, while Quinn Simmons secured his third consecutive national road title, according to USA Cycling.

Quinn Simmons Secures Third Consecutive National Road Title

Quinn Simmons (Lidl-Trek) powered to a third straight U.S. national road title just weeks before the 2026 Tour de France, soloing to victory at the 2026 U.S. national road championships. The Colorado native, who previously won stages at the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, extended his dominance on the cobbled roads of Charleston, West Virginia.

Simmons, who raised three fingers in celebration after crossing the line, said, “It’s a special feeling and I love racing in this jersey in the biggest races. I’m happy to be flying the flag all of July again.” His win comes after a strong performance at the Tour de Feminin in the Czech Republic, where he claimed a stage victory, securing his spot in the Tour de France.

Kevin Vermaerke (UAE Emirates-XRG) finished second, while Larry Warbasse (Tudor Pro Cycling) took bronze. Simmons’ victory marks his third consecutive national title, a feat that cements his status as one of the top road cyclists in the U.S.

Kate Courtney Surprises Road Racers to Win National Title

Former world XCO mountain bike champion Kate Courtney (She Sends Racing) stunned a peloton of road specialists to win the 2026 U.S. Cycling National Championships in Charleston, WV. The 28-year-old, who has been transitioning to road racing, sprinted ahead of veteran Lauren Stephens (Aegis x Leaders of Enchantment) with 700 meters to go, securing her first national road title.

Courtney, who previously won a stage at the Tour de Feminin in the Czech Republic, said, “I’m new to the game, so I had to be both smart and strong to try to pull this one off, and it just means the world to me.” Her victory adds to her growing list of achievements, including a rainbow jersey in mountain bike marathon, which she will now wear alongside the Stars and Stripes jersey.

Grace Arlandson (Aegis x Leaders of Enchantment) rounded out the podium in third. The race saw a dramatic final lap, with Paige Onweller leading for over 70km before being caught by a chasing group that included Stephens and Courtney.

Taylor Knibb Dominates Time Trial to Claim National Title

Olympian Taylor Knibb (Boulder, Colo.) delivered a dominant performance in the elite women’s time trial, winning the 33.4km course by 45 seconds. The two-time Olympic mixed relay silver medalist, who also holds three Ironman 70.3 World Championship titles, showcased her versatility by crushing the field in the time trial.

Emily Ehrlich (Virginia’s Blue Ridge TWENTY28) finished second, while Paige Onweller held on for bronze. Knibb’s victory marks her second national time trial title, following her 2024 win that earned her a spot at the Paris Olympics.

Artem Shmidt Defends Men’s Time Trial Title

Artem Shmidt (Ineos Grenadiers) defended his elite men’s time trial title, finishing the 33.4km course in 38:21. The 22-year-old from Georgia outpaced his rivals, including Larry Warbasse (Tudor Pro Cycling), who set an early benchmark with a time of 38:32. Will Barta (Tudor Pro Cycling) finished third after a strong intermediate split.

Shmidt’s victory adds to his growing list of achievements, solidifying his reputation as one of the top time trialists in the U.S.

Why Courtney’s Win Matters for U.S. Cycling

Courtney’s victory highlights the growing trend of cross-discipline success in cycling, as athletes from mountain biking transition to road racing. Her win could inspire more mountain bikers to explore road racing, potentially broadening the talent pool for U.S. teams. Similarly, Simmons’ third straight title underscores his consistency and preparation for the Tour de France, where he will represent the U.S. in July.

With the 2026 Tour de France looming, the performances at nationals suggest a competitive U.S. team. Athletes like Courtney and Knibb, who have already demonstrated success in multiple disciplines, could play key roles in international competitions.