AMERICA'S GREAT AGAIN*

*But can it last? The US finally has a clutch of star riders again, but is its top-level success built on solid foundations

- Chris Marshall-Bell

America’s back, baby! After a lull spanning almost a decade and a half, going back to the era of Lance Armstrong and his misbehaving compatriots, star-spangled riders representing the USA are once again in the ascendant. Whether it’s Sepp Kuss (Visma-Lease a Bike) winning the 2023 Vuelta a España, his team-mate Matteo Jorgensen triumphing in ParisNice and Dwars door Vlaanderen, or Brandon McNulty (UAE Team Emirates) winning on average once every six race days this season, the US has a plethora of riders on a number of different teams excelling across all terrains and distances. The question is, can it last?

Following in the wheel tracks of that standout trio, there’s even more talent: Luke Lamperti (Soudal QuickStep), 21, has been tipped to emulate Tom Boonen; Magnus Sheffield (Ineos Grenadiers), 22, has already claimed three pro victories; national champion Quinn Simmons (Lidl-Trek), just turned 23, has world-beating potential; Riley Sheehan (Israel-Premier Tech), also 23, won Paris-Tours as a stagiaire; while the baby faces of Sheehan’s team-mate Matthew Riccitello, 22, and AJ August (Ineos Grenadiers), 18, have both been backed to develop into a stage racing superpowers.