American Criterium Cup: Aline Seitz holds off Skylar Schneider while Justin Williams earns men’s sprint victory on tight circuit in Salt Lake City

Aline Seitz (HigherDOSE l Renova) and Justin Williams (L39ION of Los Angeles) sprinted to their first victories in the American Criterium Cup this season, winning the fifth round in Salt Lake City, Utah on Saturday.

Seitz won with a well-timed move on the final corner of the final lap and held off Skylar Schneider (L39ION of Los Angeles) and Marlies Mejías (Virginia’s Blue Ridge TWENTY28). The Swiss rider had made the series podium twice before but both times came up short to series leader Schneider, who had won three of the first four events.

L39ION riders hold both red leader’s jerseys, with Justin Williams extending his lead with the Salt Lake victory and mathematically sealing the men’s overall with any result at the final race in St. Louis, Missouri in three weeks.

His top rival and ACC current runner-up Lucas Bourgoyne (Team Cadence Cyclery p/b Waldo Racing) underwent surgery to have his appendix removed, so Justin Williams piled on the points to hold the top spot, now by a 42-point margin.

The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!

Breakaways came and went throughout the men’s race and the riders settled into one fast field with a dozen laps to go. Then Foundation Cycling New York came to the front for their leader, Jordan Parra, who had not competed at an ACC race since the opener at Tulsa Tough. L39ION took over on to begin the final lap, but the lead-out for Justin Williams was disrupted by a move in the middle by Preston Eye (Clif Family Drifters Cycling).

The ACC leader abruptly went into warp speed on the final corner and opened space to the front for the win. Eye finished second and Parra went third. Team Cadence riders Cade Bickmore and Luke Fetzer trailed in fourth and fifth, respectively.

Ian Williams (Stellina Racing) finished sixth and held on to third overall in the ACC standings, now just three points ahead of Eye.

The final race of the series takes place on September 6 at the Giro Della Montagna, which serves as the third day of racing in the Bommarito Audi West County Gateway Cup in Missouri.

Results