Led by Neilson Powless, a five-strong American squad took on the elite road race on Sunday at the UCI Road World Championships.
Powless put up the best result of the day, finishing in the bunch vying for the remaining podium spots some 2:21 back on winner Remco Evenepoel.
Racing in his first serious elite road race, mtb and gravel racer Keegan Swenson put up the next best result, followed by Magnus Sheffield, and Scott McGill.
Photographer Casey B. Gibson was on the ground in Wollongong, Australia, following the team in the lead up to the race and capturing the action on Sunday, providing an inside look at Team USA’s worlds road race.
Also read: UCI Road World Championships: Remco Evenepoel conquers the world
The US team of left to right Scott McGill, Neilson Powless, Magnus Sheffield, Kyle Murphy, and Keegan Swenson at sign in.
The US team’s top finisher, Neilson Powless, was in the lead group, but ended up chasing Evenepoel after he attacked with two laps to go.
Keegan Swenson writes some last minute notes on the bars of his Cervelo bike.
A Team USA mechanic walks the riders bikes to the team cabin before the race.
169 transponders sit waiting for the riders at sign in. They allow Tissot to provide up to the moment tracking of each rider: where they are on the course, the splits to each group, and even the composition of riders.
Chefs Romaine Sylvestre and Jim Speirs kept the Team USA riders happy with freshly prepared nutritional meals.
Team Shimano compares notes on wheels needed for neutral support in their cars.
In his first serious road race, Keegan Swenson shows off his bike handling skills on a descent.
Coffee and bikes are a big culture in Australia, and the cafes were packed near the start in Helensburg.
Rwanda, preparing to host the World Championships in 2025, sent a small team to worlds.
Keegan Swenson’s chain started out with a thick coating of wax for the 267 km race.
It really was that steep. Fans line the Ramah Street climb early on race day, waiting for the suffering to come.
Fans hold their cell phones up for a shot of the finish, hoping the view from above is better than where they are.
Neilson Powless and Magnus Sheffield go over the race as they cool down and hydrate at the finish.
A huge crowd took in the final podium of the week for the elite men’s road race, cheering on Remco Evenepoel. Crowds packed the festival grounds all week.
Scott McGill leads the break past the crowd at Bulli Beach.
What do Australians do during the 20 minute breaks between laps? Play cricket in the street of course.
There were many house parties along the course, complete with TV coverage, party decorations, and abundant food.
Always a crowd favorite, Peter Sagan signs a water bottle for a young fan.
Magnus Sheffield has his lunch on the big climb to Mt. Pleasant.
Spain’s junior men got a late start on the day, and decided to have breakfast on the course, at nearly 1 p.m.
Magnus Sheffield flies over a small rise on the descent from Mt. Pleasant.
Chefs Romaine Sylvestre and Jim Speirs kept the Team USA riders happy with freshly prepared, nutritional meals.
Cars and cars full of bikes. The world championships is not an environmentally favorable event.