"We made a last-minute decision to race the Easton Criterium—hopped in the car and drove six hours the morning of the event. No course recon, no call-up—we rolled straight to the start line from the very back of the grid. Our plan was simple: stay patient, let the bigger teams do the early work, and position ourselves for a strong finish, especially for our sprinter, Marlies.
The course was fast, technical, and a blast to race—lined with enthusiastic crowds and an electric atmosphere. About nine laps from the finish, a decisive move went up the road. I jumped across, and it quickly turned into the winning break. Along the way, I managed to snag a few primes and held it to the line with another rider, taking the win for the team.
Back in the bunch, Marlies powered to second in the field sprint, landing her fourth overall—an incredible result and a testament to a true team effort. Rylee was the ultimate teammate—calm, strong, and exactly where we needed her.
What made the day even more special was learning that my dad raced these very same criteriums back in 1978, as part of the Mexican Junior National Team. Nearly 50 years later, I got to race—and win—in the pro women’s field.
It was one of those rare full-circle moments that make all the miles, sweat, and sacrifice feel so deeply worth it."
Photo: Sofia wins Easton by Luis Bastardo
Nicola Cranmer's team turns 20 years old!