Two laps, two demonstrative riders, two casualties, and another edition of what is always one of the most memorable Speed of Lights of the season. The Queen Stage is done and dusted, with Max Meyer taking the crown. 

To be fair, it’s a crown shared equally and earned equally. Meyer and Kyan Olshove proved themselves head and shoulders above the pack early, with only Sunset and Jim Jackovatz briefly able to hold on over the top of the CC Climb. That foursome split soon after, with Sunset and Jackovatz sliding back to partner with Drew Cummins and Cody Sovis. 

Still within sight, Dan and Grady Ellis were in hot pursuit, but eventually ceded ground and spent the remainder of the day pulling with Wes Sovis. The trio turned in a solid time that echoed the midweek solo effort from Jaden Drews. 

Our women’s winner also rode solo, and with the win, Bridgett Widrig pockets a full 20 points on the Queen Stage, and it has her looking good for a top ten. 

As Olshove and Meyer rode clear, a chasing foursome fell to pieces. First, Jim Jackovatz fell victim to an acceleration early on the Power Section, a gap that Cody, Sunset, and an exceedingly strong Cummins pressed home. The trio were actually doing a fair job keeping the front pair in sight until disaster struck. Spilling down the Wall Bypass, Sunset hit a giant baseball-sized root. He was dazed enough to take some time by the trail, with Cummins making sure he was okay before catching back up to Sovis. 

It was a race of 1s and 2s and no real action until Cody crashed at the exact same spot as Sunset. He took a while to get up and, with some coaxing from Cummins, finished the stage to eek out two more points in his WorldTour lead. Jackovatz was next in and can easily bridge the eight points he sits in arrears. 

It’s two weeks until the next SOL, which will be at 6pm Thursday night on July 29, though times from the full week will be scored. 

You can see the full results and up-to-date WorldTour standings here.