Valley of the Sun Stage Race: Williams Delivers for L39ION
The 2026 Valley of the Sun Stage Race — one of the earliest and most prestigious stage races on the U.S. calendar — delivered thrilling racing and strong results for L39ION of Los Angeles as the team showcased grit, strategy, and depth against a stacked field in Arizona.
Spanning three days of competition from February 13–15, the race challenged riders with a demanding time trial, a rolling road stage, and a fast-paced criterium — a perfect test for early-season form and team cohesion.
🔥 Tyler Williams Takes the Overall Win
Leading the charge for L39ION on the men’s side was Tyler Williams, who took home the overall general classification victory. Williams impressed all weekend, putting in a strong performance across every stage and sprinting to victory on the Silverhawk Private Wealth — Grand Canyon State Road Race.
His win wasn’t just about strength — it was about consistency, tactical savvy, and staying sharp when it mattered most. After placing sixth overall at this event last year, winning the GC this time around was a big step forward and a statement of intent from Williams and the team early in the season.
“A winter of doing the training that I necessitate to do. A team that bought in and believed. This feels and looks right.” — Tyler Williams (social media)
🚴 Team Depth Shows Across Stage Wins
L39ION riders didn’t just compete — they contended for every victory.
- Cory Lockwood kicked off the weekend by winning the opening time trial — showcasing raw power on the 9.9-mile route.
- After Williams’s road stage triumph, Cory Williams sealed the team’s dominance with a win in the final criterium, seeing off relentless pace and aggressive attacks before crossing the line first.
- Justin Williams also shone bright with a strong second-place finish in the criterium, further underlining L39ION’s strength in depth across different race formats.
Together, those performances helped secure all three stage victories for the men’s squad — a rare and impressive team sweep at the event’s conclusion.
🚺 Women’s Race: Competitive and Exciting
L39ION’s women’s roster — including new addition Skylar Schneider returning to the U.S. peloton — raced aggressively throughout, highlighted by strong criterium efforts and consistent top results. Schneider’s season kickoff in Arizona represented her first race back with the team after racing at WorldTour level in Europe last year.
While not topping the podium, their performances added valuable race experience and speed ahead of a packed 2026 schedule.
📈 What This Means for the Season
Valley of the Sun is more than just an early-season race — it’s a barometer for form, teamwork, and focus heading into bigger goals. For L39ION, the results in Arizona provided a statement:
- Overall win and three stage victories on the men’s side.
- A competitive showing from the women’s squad with new roster combinations working well together.
- Momentum, confidence, and a platform to build on as the season unfolds.
With strong performances like this in their legs and a clear belief in the work they’re putting in, L39ION of Los Angeles looks primed for an impactful 2026.