The MTB world champion translated her engine to the road, surviving every Wertz Avenue selection and winning the sprint from the lead group for a maiden elite road race title and the stars-and-stripes jersey.
Cycling Results · Post-Race Analysis · Édition 2026
Women's Elite Road Race | 2026 US Pro Road National Championships
2026
Kate Courtney (She Sends Racing) outsprinted Lauren Stephens from a select group on the hilly Charleston circuit to win her first elite women's road race national title. Stephens finished 5 seconds back, with Grace Arlandson taking third from the chase, ending two-time defending champion Kristen Faulkner's road-race streak.
Courtney converts off-road class into a first road title
OPENINGThe elite women raced a multi-lap circuit around Charleston, the steep Wertz Avenue climb the obvious selection point each time up.
UNFOLDSAttrition on Wertz Avenue cut the lead group down over the laps, with Aegis x Leaders of Enchantment well represented and two-time defending champion Kristen Faulkner among the marked riders.
DECIDEDThe race came down to a select front group; rather than a long-range move, it was decided in the finale.
FINALEFrom the reduced group Kate Courtney — the former mountain-bike world champion — produced the fastest finish to outsprint Lauren Stephens by five seconds, with Grace Arlandson winning the chase sprint for third.
Where the race tilted
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Courtney wins the group sprintCourtney timed her sprint out of the select lead group to take the title ahead of Stephens.
Who pressed, who missed
Lauren Stephens (2nd) and Grace Arlandson (3rd) put the squad on two podium steps but couldn't deny Courtney the win.
A new name in stars-and-stripes
Courtney claims her first elite road race national title, ending the run of two-time defending champion Kristen Faulkner. A reduced-group sprint finale after a hard, hilly circuit rewarded the strongest finisher among the survivors.
Where this analysis comes from
- 🇬🇧 USA Cycling — Courtney and Simmons Win Elite Road Race National Titles
- 🇬🇧 Cyclingnews — Kate Courtney outsprints Lauren Stephens to win