Project Echelon Racing is a professional cycling team and nonprofit using sport to educate, equip, and empower veterans through physical activity and community. This monthly update is another way to bring you inside the team — from races and camps to the people and purpose that drive everything we do.
Stage Racing and Paper Chasing
We had three mighty riders attend the Tour de Bloom: Luke Elphingstone (sprinter), Quinn Felton (climber), and Stephen Bassett (miscellaneous). They pulled off a stage win and two third places as well as a fifth in the general classification. The boys were graciously hosted by local business Rookard Custom Pools and enjoyed the scenery (and winds!) of Washington State's Wenatchee Valley.
NYGP
After an inspiring visit to the prestigious West Point Academy where the team was able to meet and ride with the next generation of servicemen, the New York Gran Prix team rallied around Jerome Gauthier and led him out for a fantastic second place! Cold conditions at the start had the team improvising with some new apparel.
Armed Forces Cycling Classic
The Armed Forces Cycling Classic is always a special event as it takes place in our Nation's capital and gives us an opportunity to not only ride and race on some of the most iconic streets in Washington, D.C., but also visit our memorials and monuments, connect with our veteran community, and partner with Amazon to help raise funds and awareness for our friends at TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors). This year, Project Echelon and Amazon, along with our newest event partner at Capgemini, took things to a new level with over 250 participants representing Project Echelon! The team also sponsored 10 veterans for a 'Pro Experience' by providing event entry, housing and VIP event access at Amazon HQ.
Podium Finishes at Tour de Beauce
Tim McBirney earned a brave 3rd place GC podium finish at the Tour de Beauce, set up by his 120km solo endeavor on the harrowing Mt. Megantic Queen Stage. Tim showed showed true grit and perseverance, battling heat, cramps, and extreme fatigue in pursuit of victory. The race was also highlighted by podium finishes from Luke Elphingstone and Jerome Gauthier, who were just starting to show their form ahead of our target races at National Championships.
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Project Echelon Racing Wins 2026 Men’s US Pro Criterium National Championship with Luke Elphingstone CHARLESTON, W.Va. — June 19, 2026 — Project Echelon Racing is proud to announce that Luke Elphingstone captured victory at the 2026 Men’s US Pro Criterium National Championship in downtown Charleston, West Virginia, earning the team’s second-ever Elite Men’s National Championship title and the right to wear the Stars and Stripes jersey. The victory was the result of a complete team performance built on trust, adaptability, resilience, and confidence. As an early breakaway established separation from the field, Project Echelon Racing committed fully to the opportunity. Caleb Classen delivered a massive ride from the front group—sacrificing for the team, applying pressure, and helping create the tactical advantage needed to set Luke up for the finish. Behind the break, the rest of the team executed with discipline from the peloton, controlling the race, disrupting chase efforts, and protecting the move to give Project Echelon Racing the best possible chance to compete for the national title. When the race came down to the final sprint, Luke delivered. For Project Echelon Racing, this championship represents more than a result. Through our #racingforveterans mission, we work to educate, equip, and empower veterans through physical activity and create opportunities for veterans to thrive at home, in the workplace, and in their communities. Representing the United States in the Stars and Stripes jersey carries a unique sense of pride and responsibility. As an organization built to honor and serve veterans, wearing the national champion’s jersey means even more. Winning this title in 2026—during the celebration of America’s 250th anniversary of Independence—adds another layer of meaning and reminds us that service, sacrifice, and teamwork remain values worth representing every day. Racing for a purpose greater than winning. #RacingForVeterans
Jérôme Gauthier powers through rain and reduced breakaway to victory at the Canadian Road Championships
Jérôme Gauthier (Project Echelon Racing) was the underdog winner of the elite and under-23 men's titles at the Canadian Road Championships held in Saint-Georges, Quebec at the end of June. The 21-year-old was dropped from a lead group of eight riders that had split off the front of an initial breakaway of 14 over the top of the final climb, but he reconnected with the group and then out-sprinted his rivals to take the prestigious victory.
Jerome made history as the first Canadian to win both the U23 and Elite National Title in the same year.
Stephen Bassett Wraps Up June with Joyous Victory
Stephen Bassett, the 2024 US Pro Criterium National Champion, ended the team's incredible month of June with victory on the final day of the Tour of America's Dairyland in Wauwatosa in front of thousands of fans. This was an emotional victory for Stephen, who hadn't won since his national championship.
Sponsor Spotlight: RxE2
RxE2 is a service to help lower the barrier to entry to cutting-edge clinical trials. By allowing pharmacists to enroll patients in clinical trials, it greatly expands the pool of potential applicants beyond the traditional system of having to go though a university system. Pharmacists are an underutilized link in the medical chain, as they have direct relationships with their patients and can really help people get connected with medications and trials to help them. This is especially applicable to veterans who may be dealing with issues like PTSD or depression from deployment.
Get connected with RxE2 here: https://rxe2.com/
What's next:
The team will return to racing in Europe in France at GP Perenchies and Kreiz Breizh Elite- where Brendan Rhim won the first stage in 2024. They will also take a month long trip to Turkey to compete in a smattering of one-day and stage races, as well as introduce 3 new riders to the roster.
Connect with us at https://www.projectechelonracing.com !