Winston Salem Double Header Win!
Streets of Fire Criterium
Winston Salem, North Carolina
- Marlies Mejias Gacria (CUB) UCI CTW: Virginia's Blue Ridge TWENTY28
- Laurel Rathbun (USA) Caldera Medical x AuREA Racing
- Elizabeth Castaño (COL) One Hart Racing
Virginia’s Blue Ridge TWENTY28 returned to Winston-Salem for two days of criterium racing, beginning with the Streets of Fire Criterium in downtown Winston-Salem, followed by the Winston-Salem Classic.
The weekend carried special meaning for the team, as longtime friend and supporter of women’s cycling Rick Rauck, who recently passed away, was honored. Rick, along with Katie Rauck and their daughter Lauren Komanski, a former team rider, helped support the race for the past 13 years.
The team lined up with Marlies Mejias, Sofia Arreola, and Rylee McMullen — a strong squad coming off a heavy season of track racing. Marlies also arrived fresh from Tour de Bloom, where she finished second overall and delivered one of the best time trials of her career. Streets of Fire brought fast, aggressive racing through downtown Winston-Salem, with USA Crit Series points and primes adding extra intensity. Rylee and Sofia rode brilliantly, closing gaps, covering moves, and keeping the race under control.
With 1.5 laps to go, Marlies launched a powerful late attack while chasing the gambler prime. The move caught the field off guard, and she held it all the way to the line to take the win.
“It’s so good to be back with my teammates Rylee and Sofia,” said Marlies Mejias. “We are a good hit squad. After Tour de Bloom and my best-ever time trial, I know I can hold my power for a long time. It was an instinctual move, and I think it caught people off guard because I usually race criteriums as a pure pack sprinter. It was fun to take the win after Rylee and Sofia worked so hard. I think that makes it five years in a row for the team at Winston-Salem.”
The weekend was both emotional and exciting — a chance to honor Rick Rauck’s legacy while continuing the team’s strong tradition of success in Winston-Salem.
Gears & Guitars Winston Salem Classic Criterium
Winston Salem, North Carolina
- Marlies Mejias (CUB) UCI CTW: Virginia's Blue Ridge TWENTY28
- Rylee McMullen (AUS) UCI CTW: Virginia's Blue Ridge TWENTY28
- Chloe Patrick (USA) Caldera Medical x AuREA Racing
The Gears and Guitars Winston-Salem Classic began with an emotional memorial moment honoring Rick Rauck. There were plenty of tears on the start line, and the team was determined to race with purpose and try to win in his honor and for his family.
The pace was fast from the very first lap. Liza Ray of Kingdom Elite launched an early attack, with Marlies Mejias immediately following. Another rider bridged across, and the trio quickly established a strong gap. Behind, Rylee McMullen and Sofia Arreola responded to every attempt to bridge or chase, protecting the move and keeping the pressure on the field.
As the race continued, Marlies eventually rode both riders off her wheel and settled into time trial mode, driving the pace alone until she crossed the line first. Behind her, Rylee delivered a powerful field sprint to take second place, giving Virginia’s Blue Ridge TWENTY28 a dominant one-two finish.
“Trying new things this weekend,” said Marlies Mejias. “I felt really good coming off a six-day mountainous stage race and was able to maintain great power for over an hour to stay away. I have to thank Kristin, my coach, for helping prepare me for that effort. I kept digging deep the entire time so I could take the win for my teammates.”
"We raced off instinct like always and played around with new tactics. Marlies showed she can do it all and I got the chance to sprint for 2nd. It was a tactical finish taking the field sprint win in the last corners. So much fun!" Commented Rylee McMullen.
