USA CRITS: Laurel Rathbun and Marcos Mendoz win Sunny King Criterium to begin eight-race series

Laurel Rathbun of Caldera Medical x Aurea Racing and Marcos Mendoz from Foundation Cycling New York claimed victory in the elite races at the Sunny King Criterium in Anniston, Alabama, kicking off the USA CRITS eight-race series. Rathbun emerged triumphant in a dramatic sprint finish against Liza Ray of City Bikes after the pair had successfully lapped the field with four laps remaining. Meanwhile, Mendoz secured the men’s race win ahead of his teammate Clever Martinez, with Preston Eye of Team Flicker completing the podium. The event marked the debut of Caldera Medical x Aurea Racing, a new US domestic elite squad co-founded by Rathbun and fellow rider Kendall Ryan. Rathbun emphasised the team’s ambition and strength, highlighting Ryan’s proven sprinting prowess as a key asset that allows the squad to race aggressively and dynamically. The race itself was contested on a new 1.1-mile, four-corner course featuring an uphill finish in downtown Anniston, adding a fresh tactical element to the long-standing event. Foundation Cycling New York demonstrated strong teamwork in the men’s race, controlling the final laps with five riders in the leading group. A late breakaway involving last year’s champion Lucas Bourgoyne was eventually reeled in by the peloton, setting the stage for the Foundation Cycling duo to dominate the finish. The race showcased the depth and competitiveness of the domestic criterium scene, with several national and international riders featuring prominently. Looking ahead, the USA CRITS series continues with the Athens Orthopedic Clinic Twilight Criterium in Athens, Georgia, scheduled for 18 April. The opening round has set a high standard for the season, with new teams and established squads alike vying for supremacy in this popular criterium series. The performances of Rathbun, Mendoz, and their respective teams suggest a compelling and closely fought campaign lies ahead.