PHOENIX, Ariz. - Jesuit Cycling returns from the national-level Valley of the Sun Stage Race in Phoenix, Arizona, where the young team competed against 61 of the best 15-16 year old racers in the country. It is a prestigious 3-day race that is part of the USA Juniors Cup and serves as one of two junior national team selection races. The race consists of a 10-mile individual time trial, 46 mile road race, and a 40 minute fast and furious criterium, which is an F-1 style race along a short downtown course. Making the trip were sophomore Nicholas Carter and freshman Austin Dourty and this was their first time competing in an elite national level race like this. Both Nicholas and Austin had a successful weekend of hard racing with personal bests in the windy 10-mile individual time trial and strong rides in the 46 mile road race with Nicholas finishing with the front group. In the stage 3 technical criteriumracing alongside the Arizona house of representatives in downtown Phoenix, Austin had a rough start after having trouble clipping into his pedals at the start of the race and Nicholas was looking good when halfway through the race his saddle started slipping, which effectively ended his race despite his dogged efforts to not give up. 

Next up on the team's agenda is the La Primavera Lago Vista race in Austin and Lago Vista, Texas February, 27 - March, 1st. Lago Vista, as it is known, is also part of the USA Juniors Cup and is the second of two junior national team selection races and will feature all the top u19 racers from around the country.  

The full weekend results are below:

Friday: 10-mile individual time trial
51st: Nicholas Carter '28 with a time of 24:38.88 (24.36 mph) and 0:03:06 off first place
60th: Austin Dourty '29 with a time of 27:26.95 (21.87mph) and 0:06:07 off first place

Saturday: 46 miles Road Race:
30th: Nicholas Carter '28 with a 23.5 mph avg speed and 4 seconds off first place
57th: Austin Dourty '29 with a 20.3 mph avg speed and 19 minutes off first place

Sunday:
45th: Nicholas Carter '28
54th: Austin Dourty '29

Final Overall General Classification (GC):
42nd: Nicholas Carter '28: 0:05:52 off first place
54th: Austin Dourty '29: 0:35:13 off first place