Kate Courtney and Quinn Simmons are the 2026 US Road Champs
The US Pro Road National Championships have served up some big-name winners in Charleston, West Virginia – although at least for the women's race, maybe in an unexpected discipline.
Kate Courtney, a dual mountain bike World Champion (XC - 2018; Marathon - 2025), has only raced a few road races, dabbling in the skinny-tyred discipline for the national team this season. Courtney (She Sends Racing) was part of a high quality chase group in pursuit of early breakaway rider, Paige Onweller, and when the catch was made, Courtney and Lauren Stephens found themselves off the front on the final lap. Courtney opened a long-range sprint from 700 m out, betting on her handling around the last corner to create a gap and holding on to the line. Stephens finished second for the second year running, with Grace Arlandson rounding out the podium.
In the men's race, the newly-formed Modern Adventure squad was aggressive throughout, using its 12 riders to try to whittle down the contenders. Meanwhile, defending champion Quinn Simmons and other fancied international pros like Kevin Vermaerke (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) and Larry Warbasse (Tudor) sought their own opportunities. Simmons took off solo up the Wertz Avenue climb, with 29 kilometres remaining, and stretched his advantage out through the last lap, crossing the line with more than two minutes over the chasing Vermaerke. Warbasse finished just behind for third.
