USA Crits: Marlies Mejias and Luke Fetzer win finale at WSCC Gears & Guitars Criterium

Marlies Mejias Garcia and Luke Fetzer emerged victorious at the WSCC Gears & Guitars Criterium, the concluding race of the USA Crits series held in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Mejias, representing Virginia's Blue Ridge TWENTY28, secured back-to-back wins after a commanding solo attack early in the race, maintaining her lead for the entire two-hour event. On the men’s side, Fetzer, riding for Team Cadence Cyclery pb Waldo Racing, launched a decisive attack on the final lap amid challenging rainy conditions to claim his first USA Crits victory of the season. The WSCC Gears & Guitars Criterium was contested on a technical 1.4km figure-8 course looping around Bailey Park, serving as the eighth and final race in the seven-week USA Crits calendar. While Mejias dominated the women’s race, the overall series titles were claimed by Liza Ray (Kingdom Elite Racing) and Leonel Rodriguez (MC Cycling Team), who both demonstrated consistent performances across the one-day events. Ray’s series lead was solidified following a commanding win at the LaGrange Cycling Classic, while Rodriguez secured the men’s overall by a narrow margin despite not winning an individual race. The women’s podium at the finale saw Rylee McMullen and Chloe Patrick finishing closely behind Mejias, while the men’s race concluded with Marcos Mendez and Bryan Gomez of Foundation Cycling New York rounding out the top three. The USA Crits points system, which rewards aggressive racing through start points, sprint points, and laps led, played a crucial role in shaping the overall standings. This format encouraged riders to animate the races actively, contributing to the competitive and dynamic nature of the series. With the USA Crits series now complete, attention will likely turn to how these performances influence rider momentum and team strategies moving forward. Mejias’s impressive form and Fetzer’s breakthrough win highlight emerging talents in North American criterium racing, while the tight points battles underscore the depth of competition. The series continues to serve as a vital platform for developing riders and teams within the electric motorsport and cycling communities.