Monarch Racing at Valley of the Sun

Overall 1st Place, Overall 3rd Place,
Multiple Stage Wins, & More!

February 13th – 15th, 2026 in Phoenix, AZ

Thanks to financial support from the Moriah Wilson Foundation, the Monarch Racing junior team was able to attend the Valley of the Sun stage race for the first time. Valley of the Sun is the largest, and most competitive junior road stage race in the country, and is used as a selection event for USA Cyclingʼs European training camps, World Championship selections, and junior programs. Monarch Racing brought 11 juniors (10 attending their first road stage race), and shocked the junior cycling scene by beating Olympic development teams like Twenty28 and Fount Cycling Guild. The juniors secured 1st and 3rd in the 17-18 year-old Overall division after three days of racing, including two first places, a second place, and a third place. Every rider finished the event – no crashes and no DNFʼs!

However, it is important to emphasize that our goal at Valley of the Sun wasn’t about results – the focus was on growth and development 100% of the time, and riders did that. The team talked through strategy, through the physical and mental aspects of the sport, and at any given point in time riders were kind, supportive, and dedicated to doing their best. Monarch Racing also supports a pro womenʼs team, who was in attendance at Valley of the Sun. Annie Gilbert and Claudia Ferreira came into the season in good form, ripping Stage 1 to a 4th and 5th place finish, and with good teamwork throughout the race, they maintained those positions in the General Classification at the end of the final day. Junior Opportunities As an added bonus to winning the 17-18 race at Valley of the Sun, our junior Sofia Tripcevich was awarded the inaugural Bridged Opportunity Scholarship from Megan Jastrub (a world-tour racer looking to give back to junior development). This scholarship provides a financial grant for racing, as well as 1:1 mentoring sessions throughout the year. We are so proud of Sofia for her racing and for demonstrating excellence on and off the bike, and grateful for Megan for her commitment to giving back. Thank You It is because of the support from the Moriah Wilson Foundation and other like-minded individuals and organizations that allow for these opportunities for success and growth for young athletes. Whether these young women grow up to be professional athletes or not isnʼt the point – they will instead grow up to be confident, empowered, intelligent, and kind advocates and mentors in all aspects of life.