Capitol Cup Win for Marlies

This month, we dive into one of the most exciting weekends on our calendar: the Amazon Armed Forces Classic in Washington, D.C. and Arlington, VA. With elbows-out racing and tactical finesse, it was a showcase of grit, strategy, and meaningful partnership.

We were proud to collaborate with Deloitte for this iconic event. Things kicked off with a morning spin and coffee chat at Deloitte HQ with their Challenge Team—an energizing reminder of the values we share, precision under pressure, a pursuit of excellence, and thriving in dynamic environments.

Day one featured a brand-new course for the Capitol Cup, just steps from the U.S. Capitol. With over 100 women on the start line, the race was already hectic before the skies opened mid-race with torrential rain and gusty winds. But our squad stayed composed and controlled the race from the front, delivering Salem, VA’s own Marlies Mejias into perfect position for a commanding sprint win.

Sunday brought the legendary Clarendon Cup—fast, technical, and packed with fans. In a thrilling final lap, Marlies edged out U.S. crit queen Kendall Ryan for another impressive victory.

A standout moment: seeing Deloitte’s Corporate Challenge riders in our team kits, proudly expanding our squad and representing Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge, Virginia is for Mountain Lovers, and Deloitte on the course. Community and connection—this sport thrives on both.

“Armed Forces is my favorite criterium—I always come into it with the mindset that I have to win. The first day, the Capitol Cup, threw everything at us. The rain, intense braking, and slick corners completely changed the race dynamics. Wet conditions are always a challenge for me, but my teammates executed flawlessly and kept me protected when it counted most. Despite the chaos, I was able to take the win with confidence after an incredible lead-out from Emily Ehrlich.

Day two at the Clarendon Cup was an emotional rollercoaster. The competition was the strongest I’ve seen in years, with a wide range of skill levels in criterium racing—which made the win even more rewarding. My teammates were impeccable. I’m so proud of how far we’ve come and how strong we are as a team. It was a phenomenal weekend, and I truly hope we can return and do it all again next year.”

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