Marlies Mejias and Luke Fetzer Claim Elite Victories at USA Crits Finale

The 2026 USA Crits series concluded with a thrilling showdown at the WSCC Gears & Guitars Criterium in North Carolina, where Marlies Mejias Garcia and Luke Fetzer emerged victorious in the elite categories. The event, held on a 1.4km figure-8 course looping around Bailey Park, marked the eighth and final race of the seven-week series.

Mejias Secures Back-to-Back Wins

Mejias, representing Virginia’s Blue Ridge TWENTY28, showcased her dominance by soloing to victory in Winston-Salem. The Cuban-born cyclist attacked on the second lap, holding off the peloton for two hours to claim her second consecutive win of the weekend. Her performance solidified her position as a standout in the women’s series.

Behind Mejias, Rylee McMullen (Virginia’s Blue Ridge TWENTY28) finished second in a close battle, edging out Chloe Patrick (Caldera Medical x Aurea Racing) by a bike throw. Liza Ray (Kingdom Elite Racing) secured the overall women’s title after a dominant win at the LaGrange Cycling Classic, while Elizabeth Castaño (One Hart Racing-Nashville Local Cycling) and Elizabeth Harden (Kingdom Elite Racing) rounded out the podium in the final standings.

Fetzer Overcomes Rain to Claim Men’s Crown

In the men’s race, Luke Fetzer (Team Cadence Cyclery pb Waldo Racing) executed a decisive move in the final laps amid rain. The U23 criterium champion launched an attack as he and breakaway partner Bryan Gomez neared being caught by the peloton, ultimately securing his first USA Crits victory of the season.

Foundation Cycling New York’s Marcos Mendez finished second, with Gomez taking third. Despite not winning an individual event, Leonel Rodriguez (MC Cycling Team) claimed the overall men’s title, edging out Gomez and Mendez by a slim 25-point margin.

Series Standings and Points System

The USA Crits points system rewarded aggressive racing, with riders earning 50 start points, finish points based on placement, sprint points, and one point per lap led. The women’s final standings saw Liza Ray top the list with 1,854 points, followed by Elizabeth Castaño (1,591) and Elizabeth Harden (1,537). In the men’s category, Rodriguez led with 1,864 points, narrowly ahead of Gomez (1,839) and Mendez (1,836).

The series finale highlighted the competitive nature of the USA Crits, with riders from across the country showcasing their skills on a challenging course. As the 2026 season comes to a close, the results underscore the depth of talent in American cyclocross racing.

Source: CyclingNews