2025 Redlands Bicycle Classic
Team Winston-Salem Men’s Team Shines at Redlands Bicycle Classic
Owen Cole finishes 3rd Overall General Classification, wins Stage 2 and Best Young Rider
The 2025 Redlands Bicycle Classic marked a defining moment for Team Winston-Salem’s men’s squad, not just in results, but in experience and growth. Over five days of racing in California, the team earned a stage win, two leader’s jerseys, and a spot on the final GC podium—an extraordinary accomplishment for a first-year program racing against the best teams in the country.
But behind the podium shots and Instagram updates lies the full story: one of teamwork, grit, and a group of young riders rising to meet the occasion.
Owen’s Breakthrough Ride
20-year-old Owen Cole had a week to remember. He opened with a solid 8th in the Stage 1 time trial, stayed consistent through the early chaos, and exploded onto the national radar with a dominant solo win on Stage 2’s legendary Onyx Summit climb. He would go on to defend his GC position through the final days and finish third overall—while also claiming the Best Young Rider jersey.
“I didn’t expect this result. I wanted to win a stage—that was the goal,” Owen said. “But once I got the jersey, the whole team rallied around me. I just had to keep showing up and giving everything.”
And give everything he did—collapsing over his bars after the summit finish, rolling downhill in a daze before realizing he had to climb back up to the team car.
The Team Behind the Result
The men’s squad rode every stage like it mattered—because it did. No one embodied this more than Will Hardin. On Stage 2, Will was there every step of the way—getting Owen ice, bottles, nutrition, and shelter from the wind. He positioned Owen perfectly before the decisive attacks, pulling deep and giving everything without hesitation. He was the epitome of a teammate: racing not for himself, but entirely for Owen.
Throughout the week, Will made massive efforts to keep Owen in the race. On Stage 3, he would bomb descents to give Owen a head start into gravel climbs. He’d pull so hard that he’d drop himself from the peloton, then fight through the caravan to get back in—over and over. Jon Heinlen did the same: sacrificing his own chances to help Owen hold position and chase back in. Lap after lap, the team watched these riders pass by, visibly pushing to their absolute limits, just to give Owen every chance.
Each day, all of the riders played critical roles, taking turns covering attacks, helping on climbs, closing in on breaks, and sheltering Owen. Each rider had a job, and no one held back.
The work off the bike mattered just as much. Mechanics Spencer and Matis kept bikes clean and running fast. Director Sportif Jon Page was a steady voice on the radio. He kept the team’s energy high and the pressure low. “All I had to do was race,” Owen said. “Everything else was handled.”
Young Riders, Big Opportunities
For many of the guys on the team, this was their first time racing at a national stage race of this caliber—and they rose to it. The field was stacked with Continental teams, UCI riders, and hardened pros.
“It’s such a different level,” Brooks said after one stage. “The race just never stops. You’re on the limit and then someone attacks—and you go again.”
That fire lit something in each of riders. More than ever a hunger to keep building and to come back stronger. These races aren’t just results—they’re milestones in a much bigger journey.
The Final Push
Sunset Loop is one of the hardest stages in U.S. racing, and it lived up to the hype. With the GC battle razor-close, every second counted. Owen entered the day focused and composed. “I just kept telling myself: I’ve got the jersey, I need to ride like it,” he said. With multiple riders close on time, every climb and descent counted. Teams marked him tightly, preventing attacks, but Owen did enough to seal his spot on the final GC podium and defend the white jersey.
When it was over, the entire team—riders, staff, mechanics—gathered in the parking lot, legs shattered and spirits high.
“We were just lying on the ground, totally spent,” Owen said. “And someone goes: ‘We really did that.’ It was kind of surreal.”
More Than Just a Team
For a small, new program from North Carolina, the week was a massive leap forward. It proved that with the right culture, right support, and the right belief in each other, anything is possible.
“We’re not just here to race bikes,” DS Jon Page said. “We’re here to build something that lasts.”
And if Redlands was any sign, the foundation is already rock solid.
Team Winston-Salem Women’s Team Brings Grit and Growth to Redlands
Rebecca Lang finishes 14th overall; team delivers standout ride on Sunset Loop
The 2025 Redlands Bicycle Classic was a major step forward for the women of Team Winston-Salem. With a young, ambitious squad and strong leadership from GC rider Rebecca Lang, the team proved that they belong at the top level of American racing.
Rebecca rode a standout week, finishing 14th overall on GC and delivering her best result with 7th place on the Sunset Loop, one of the toughest stages in North American stage racing. “I wasn’t completely sure what to expect,” she said, “but I was really proud of both the team’s growth and my personal growth throughout the race.”
Racing without a time trial bike on Stage 1, Rebecca still stayed in the mix and carried momentum into every stage. She stayed in the front group every day, showing impressive positioning and power each stage.
Rebecca was the only woman on the team to have raced Redlands before, and she did significantly better results wise this year. But for Rebecca, the biggest takeaway was the team atmosphere.
“I couldn’t have done it without the team and team support,” said Rebecca.
Every rider on the squad played a role. Madison helped Rebecca on Crafton Hills, a particularly tough day. Izzy and Mallory stepped up with encouragement and support when it was needed most. Sierra pushed through illness to make it to the final stage. And Nadine dug deep day after day, staying open to feedback and learning how to contribute even more each stage.
“We learned how to work together off the bike,” Rebecca said. “That was a huge part of why this trip felt so meaningful.” Sierra also commented how meaningful it was that the team stayed together, rode together, ate together, and spent time with each other throughout the week.
Behind the scenes, the staff was critical to the women’s success. Allison Lancaster served as director for the week and brought nonstop energy, support, and positivity. Whether she was giving out encouragement or cracking jokes over the radio mid-race, her presence lifted everyone. Her enthusiasm was infectious, and she clearly cared deeply about every rider's success.
Jon Page offered course insights and motivation throughout the week, and Rebecca credited Jon Hamblen for helping her get through the grueling third stage.
Spencer kept the bikes clean and fast, and the feed zones running smoothly—plus, he kept spirits high with his signature humor.
From bottle handups to TT helmet loans, from fueling to mechanicals to morning pep talks, the support staff was everywhere. “Almost more important for me was the staff encouragement before, during, and after the races,” Rebecca said.
Stage 5, the Sunset Loop, was a standout. “I think I enjoyed the fifth stage the most,” Rebecca said. “I was told to have fun and race, and I did! That was my best finish, too.”
Looking back on the week, the tone was hopeful, determined, and proud. “If team has improved that much in one week—imagine what we can do the rest of the season and into next year and next Redlands!”