2025 marks the second year of the 3rd age of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge. Last year the race organizers moved the race to Western NY State and re-imagined it as a 3-stage contest for the punchy riders. Andrea Bagioli was the first winner under the new format and he did it in style, winning all 3 stages. This year’s race follows the same parcours. Last year it was contested by traditional puncheurs as it proved too hard for punchy sprinters, we will see if that continues.
While the other US stage race this month in California has always been a big target for US riders the opposite is true for this race. In the 12 editions only one US rider has won - Dan Holloway in 2019. The only other US rider to finish on the podium was Thomas Peterson back in 2012.
With the US peloton lacking top puncheurs that seems unlikely to change this year. Instead, the favorites come from this list:
Rider
MM
HI
SP
AC
RS
ST
Lutsenko
77
82
71
80
72
75
Stannard
77
81
69
78
76
75
Eiking
75
81
68
76
74
78
Hirschi
79
81
66
75
78
78
Gesbert
77
80
68
73
78
80
Moscon
77
80
60
73
77
76
Vakoc
75
80
70
73
70
74
Van Niekerk
78
80
64
74
75
72
Ardila
81
80
62
75
70
69
Sagan
75
79
69
70
68
72
Tesfatsion
77
78
69
78
72
68
Stocek
73
78
70
75
70
75
Lagane
74
78
76
77
71
70
Govekar
75
78
70
78
75
73
Van der Poel
74
77
72
77
77
78
Amezawa
79
77
68
75
78
76
Meintjes
78
77
60
68
75
76
Bettiol
74
77
71
77
75
78
Lyu
76
77
63
74
76
75
Paret-Peintre
77
77
72
74
75
73
Last year’s 2nd and 3rd are back in Stannard and Hirschi but they probably aren’t the favorites, instead that honor goes to Lutsenko who has a great skill set for this race. Another strong candidate is Gesbert, who can do no wrong this year, he isn’t the fastest finisher but that hasn’t hampered him so far.
If climbing skills are important then last year’s 4th place, Van Niekerk could be a contender. Other strong climbers include Ardila, Amezawa and Meintjes.
The top punchy sprinter in the race is Lagane, he was a disappointing 20th last year but will hope for better this time around. Three other riders who did make the top ten last year are also back, Tesfatsion (6th), Paret-Peintre (7th) and Sagan (9th).
24 teams and 188 riders take the start, 9 of the team are from the CT.
USA Pro Cycling Challenge 
