National Championships 2026 – USA 🇺🇸 – Criterium [FULL RACE]

June 18, 2026

National Championships 2026 – USA 🇺🇸 – Criterium ME – Charleston, WV, USA

The United States National Professional Road Race Championships began in 1985. They are run by the governing body, USA Cycling. Until 2006 the race was open to all nationalities, the first American to finish being named the winner and given a distinctive jersey. Since the championship in Greenville, South Carolina, in 2006, all riders have had to be American.

Luke Elphingstone took out the elite men’s criterium title at the USA Cycling Pro Road National Championships in Charleston, with the 23-year-old stepping it up a level as he shifted up the categories.

“At the start of the year, this was my ‘A’ goal, so I’m just really happy to deliver for the team,” said the new elite men’s criterium champion.

Elphingstone, who took bronze in the U23 men’s criterium last year, won a hard-fought sprint from among a group of nine after the break got away early and held off the chase. The Project Echelon Racing competitor claimed the title ahead of Brody McDonald (Modern Adventure Pro Cycling) while Gavin Hlady (EF Education-Aevolo) was third at the 90-minute race.

“It was pretty hard when we first went, but the adrenaline was high, and we settled in,” said Elphingstone of the break. “Once we got it to like 55 seconds, with a lap to go, I knew if I just followed the right wheels, I had the sprint to do it.”

Last year’s winner, Lucas Bourgoyne (Team Cadence Cyclery p/b Waldo Racing), was back in the group of 14 that crossed the line 55 seconds after the title had been claimed, so the defending champion had to settle for 11th place at the rain-speckled twilight criterium.

Results :