Brody McDonald and Marlies Mejías earn omnium titles at Armed Forces Cycling Classic with consistent podium finishes at two-day event

Brody McDonald and Marlies Mejías emerged as the overall omnium winners at the 2026 Amazon Armed Forces Cycling Classic, a two-day criterium event held in the Washington D.C. region. Mejías, representing Virginia's Blue Ridge TWENTY28/Deloitte, secured her second consecutive omnium title by finishing second in both the Capitol Cup and Clarendon Cup women’s races. McDonald, riding for Modern Adventure Pro Cycling, earned the men’s title through consistent podium finishes, placing third in each race. Their performances underscored the importance of steady results across both days rather than single race victories. The women’s racing saw intense competition, with Kendall Ryan of Caldera Medical x Aurea Racing claiming victory in the Clarendon Cup after narrowly missing out the previous day. Ryan dedicated her win to her late grandfather, a Marine Corps veteran, adding an emotional dimension to her triumph. Meanwhile, Skylar Schneider of L39ION of Los Angeles took the Capitol Cup win and finished third overall in the omnium, highlighting the strength and depth of the women’s field. Mejías praised her team’s collective effort in controlling the races and maintaining a competitive edge throughout the weekend. On the men’s side, the Capitol Cup was won by Lucas Bourgoyne, the reigning US Pro elite men’s criterium champion, who narrowly edged out last year’s winner Dario Rapps. Rapps suffered a near-crash in the final sprint due to a slippery manhole cover, which ultimately cost him a chance to defend his omnium title. Sebastian Brenes Mata triumphed in the Clarendon Cup, with McDonald placing third once again to clinch the overall omnium. Alejandro Che and Bourgoyne rounded out the omnium podium, reflecting a highly competitive men’s field. Both McDonald and Mejías highlighted the significance of teamwork and consistency in their victories. McDonald expressed pride in representing Modern Adventure Pro Cycling in the nation’s capital and credited his team’s support and guidance from experienced mentors for his success. Mejías echoed this sentiment, emphasising the collective strength of her squad and their resilience in pushing for top results across both days. Their achievements at the AFCC reinforce the event’s reputation as a key fixture in the US criterium calendar and a platform for emerging talent. Looking ahead, the Amazon Armed Forces Cycling Classic continues to build on its 28-year history as a prestigious weekend of racing in the Washington D.C. area. The event’s combination of challenging courses and high-calibre competition offers riders valuable opportunities to showcase their form early in the season. With the 2026 edition now concluded, attention will turn to how these omnium champions leverage their momentum in upcoming domestic and international races.