Kylee Hanel and Kade Kreikemeier Secure U23 National Time Trial Titles
Kylee Hanel and Kade Kreikemeier captured the women’s and men’s under-23 national time trial championships in Charleston, West Virginia, on May 15, 2024. Hanel, representing Aegis, completed the 16.7-kilometer course in 21:42.12, while Kreikemeier of Meridian Racing clocked a 39:30.09 over the 33.4-kilometer men’s route. Both riders secured their respective stars-and-stripes jerseys in the premier test of individual speed.
Dominant Performance for Kylee Hanel
Kylee Hanel continued a breakout season by winning the U23 women’s time trial by a significant margin. According to the official USA Cycling results, Hanel finished 36.48 seconds ahead of runner-up Jorja Bond (CCB Kenetik P/B Levine Law Group). Alyssa Sarkisov, also of CCB Kenetik, rounded out the podium, finishing 1:03.81 off the winning pace.
This victory follows Hanel’s recent success at the Unbound Gravel 100, where she claimed a sprint win. Her ability to transition from the gravel circuit to the technical demands of a national-level time trial highlights her versatility. By securing the national title, Hanel earns the right to wear the stars-and-stripes jersey in time trial events throughout the upcoming calendar year.
Kade Kreikemeier Wins Tactical U23 Men’s Race
The U23 men’s event proved to be a tightly contested affair, with Kade Kreikemeier edging out the field by just four seconds. Kreikemeier, who finished fifth in the same event during the 2023 championships, improved his performance by over a minute to secure the top step of the podium. Owen Cole (Team Winston Salem – Flow) took the silver medal, while Elouan Gardon (Above + Beyond Cancer Cycling Team) claimed bronze, finishing seven seconds behind the winner.
The narrow gap between the podium finishers demonstrates the increasing depth of talent within the American U23 ranks. With only 11 seconds separating the top four riders—Kreikemeier, Cole, Gardon, and Ashlin Barry—the race underscored the importance of aerodynamic efficiency and pacing strategy over the 33.4-kilometer course.
Comparison of Podium Results
The following table details the time gaps for the top three finishers in both categories, based on official race timing data.
| Category | Winner | Second Place (Gap) | Third Place (Gap) |
|---|---|---|---|
| U23 Women | Kylee Hanel | Jorja Bond (+0:36) | Alyssa Sarkisov (+1:03) |
| U23 Men | Kade Kreikemeier | Owen Cole (+0:04) | Elouan Gardon (+0:07) |
What Happens Next for the Champions?
The U23 National Championships serve as a primary selection ground for international competition. Winners of these events often earn automatic nominations or preferential consideration for the UCI Road World Championships. For riders like Hanel and Kreikemeier, the focus now shifts to the remainder of the domestic road season and potential appearances on the international stage under the USA Cycling banner.
The Charleston course, known for its challenging profile, tested the riders’ ability to manage power output across varying terrain. As these athletes move into the professional ranks, their performances in Charleston provide a benchmark for their development against the best young talent in the United States.
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