SALEM, Va. -- The Roanoke cycling team in two, paired races over the weekend hosted by the University of Maryland and the Naval Academy. 

Hays Edmunds and Ben Cerkovnik both competed in the road race on saturday and the criterium on Sunday. Edmunds would take first on Day 1 and despite a fall on Day 2, finish third. Cerkovnik would use his time on the courses to help support Edmunds both days. 

The Maroons will head into the last race of the season and ACCC championships next weekend with Hays sitting first overall in conference standings. 

Race Report Edmunds:

This weekend of racing put on by UMD and Naval Academy was a success. On day one, it was clear the field was too strong for any individual breakaways to make any progress, so I sat in, saved energy, waited for the sprint and took first place! 

Day two was a technical enough course that I knew a small lead group could break off fairly easily. I attacked from the line and started a four man break right away. We gained enough time on the chase group, but unfortunately, I was taken down by a crash in the final kilometer. Luckily, I was able to get back up and continue racing for third place. 

This wouldn't have been possible without my teammate, Ben supporting me and holding up the chase group so we could get further ahead. Great tactics and teamwork from him this weekend.