The second day of the Redlands Bicycle Classic delivered a masterclass in speed and tactical precision on Thursday. Reigning US under-23 road champion Ella Sabo and Costa Rican standout Sebastian Brenes Mata both secured Redlands Bicycle Classic stage 2 victories, powering through a bunch sprint on a redesigned circuit course that left little room for breakaway attempts.
The action centered on the new 2.7-mile Trek-Hangar 24 Circuit Race course, characterized by wide roads and only four right-hand turns. These conditions favored the sprinters, as the peloton remained largely intact throughout the day. For the pro women, the race spanned 16 laps for a total of 43.2 miles, while the pro men tackled 24 laps of the same circuit.
The results underscored a dominant day for Virginia’s Blue Ridge TWENTY28, who managed to secure their second victory in as many days. Sabo, just 20 years old, demonstrated the composure of a veteran, crossing the line narrowly ahead of her teammate Olivia Cummins. Skylar Schneider of L39ION of Los Angeles rounded out the pro women’s podium in third place.
Teamwork and Timing in the Women’s Sprint
Sabo’s win was not a solo effort but the result of a calculated lead-out train. The Virginia’s Blue Ridge TWENTY28 squad worked in tandem to shield Sabo from the wind and position her perfectly for the final kick. The synchronization of the team allowed Sabo to launch her sprint with maximum efficiency.
“The last lap was quick… we talked about it before the race. My teammate, Emily [Erhlich], told me, ‘just follow me,’ and she kept me in position,” Sabo said after the stage. “Rylee [McMullen] took us down the last straight, Marjorie [Rinaldo] took us down the back straight. It was a whole team effort.”
While Sabo took the stage win, the team’s overall strength was evident. Olivia Cummins not only secured second place but also currently leads the women’s sprint competition. Meanwhile, Emily Ehrlich maintained her position as the leader of the general classification (GC) by finishing safely within the main field.
Mata Breaks Through After Years of Persistence
In the men’s race, the outcome followed a similar criterium-style finish. Despite several attempts by riders to break away and disrupt the rhythm of the peloton, the 2.7-mile circuit proved too short to allow a gap to grow. The race inevitably returned to a high-speed bunch sprint.
Sebastian Brenes Mata, representing Canel’s-Java, managed to hold a slight edge coming out of the final corner. He successfully fended off a late surge from Mexico’s Carlos Garcia, who finished just a bike length behind. Luke Elphingstone of Project Echelon took third place.
For the 25-year-old Mata, a silver medalist at last year’s Pan-American road race, the victory was a moment of personal redemption. Having competed in the Redlands Classic for the previous two years without reaching the podium, the stage win was a long-awaited milestone.
“I tried to save the most energy for the end, but super happy to accept the win. This was a goal I had on my calendar for the year…It’s been a dream of mine to get a stage win here and this year I did that,” Mata said.
Standings and Tactical Outlook
Despite the flurry of activity in the sprints, the overall general classification remained stagnant. For the men, Eric Brunner of Project Echelon Racing continues to lead the GC, having finished safely in the bunch. In the sprint category, Roland Meunier of Kelly Benefits Cycling remains the leader for the men.
The race organizers did not award any King or Queen of the Mountains points during Stage 2, as the flat nature of the circuit offered no significant climbing opportunities. This has left the mountains competition poised for a decisive shift in the coming days.
Stage 2 Top Results
| Category | 1st Place | 2nd Place | 3rd Place |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pro Women | Ella Sabo | Olivia Cummins | Skylar Schneider |
| Pro Men | Sebastian Brenes Mata | Carlos Garcia | Luke Elphingstone |
The Road Ahead: Overcrest Drive
The strategic landscape of the race is expected to change significantly on Friday. Stage 3 will move to a longer 4.6-mile circuit, introducing a critical climb on Overcrest Drive. Unlike the flat terrain of the Trek-Hangar 24 course, this elevation gain is expected to trigger aggressive attacks and potentially shatter the peloton.
The pro women are scheduled to complete nine laps for a total of 41.4 miles, while the pro men will race 12 laps, totaling 55.2 miles. With the introduction of a climb, the GC leaders will need to be vigilant, and the climbers will have their first real opportunity to challenge the current standings.
The race continues Friday as the peloton moves toward the more challenging terrain of the third stage. We will provide updates as the general classification shifts.
Do you reckon the Overcrest Drive climb will shake up the GC leaders? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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