Boise Twilight Turns Tactical as Arreola and Fetzer Dazzle with Daring Attacks

The high desert doesn't disappoint.

In a city known more for potatoes than pelotons, Boise delivered a criterium clinic this weekend. On a course that typically sets the table for the sprinters, it was the attackers who feasted—Sofia Arreola and Luke Fetzer broke convention and broke away to win big under the lights. Here’s how the action broke down.

Arreola Outfoxes the Field

Virginia’s Blue Ridge Twenty28 didn’t just show up—they executed. With three riders dictating the race tempo for the better part of 70 minutes, they set up a classic sprint finish. Or so everyone thought.

Enter Sofia Arreola.

The veteran played the role of leadout for most of the evening, helping position her teammate Marlies Mejias for what looked like a sure-fire bunch gallop. But with two laps to go and eyes glued to Mejias, Arreola found daylight—and didn’t hesitate. She launched a bold solo move, grabbing a gamblers’ prime before the bell lap and holding on as Mejias shadowed her move, sealing a commanding 1-2 finish for the team.

“It’s really fun racing with Marlies,” Arreola said post-race. “We’ve been teammates and rivals since juniors. Tonight, we had options—and I took mine.”

Behind them, Makayla MacPherson, CCB p/b Levine Law, sprinted in for third, while Aline Seitz, UTC/ButcherBox, played the long game, finishing sixth to maintain her grip on the American Criterium Cup overall leader’s jersey.

The Setup: Tactical Domination

Twenty28 didn’t just win— they controlled. Early primes were swept up like clockwork as Rylee McMullen animated the race with a mid-race solo flyer, which included her reclaiming the ACC green jersey at the midpoint. That pressure helped set up the chaos that allowed Arreola to attack late while Mejias marked the chasing field.

“Everyone was watching Marlies,” Arreola said. “That’s when I knew I had to go.” And she delivered.

Women’s Results:

1. Sofia Arreola — Virginia’s Blue Ridge Twenty28

2. Marlies Mejias — Virginia’s Blue Ridge Twenty28

3. Makayla MacPherson — CCB p/b Levin Law

4. Andrea Cyr — Fount Cycling Guild

5. Rylee McMullen — Virginia’s Blue Ridge Twenty28

ACC Standings:

1. Aline Seitz — UTC Butcherbox Cycling — 124 points

2. Andrea Cyr — Fount Cycling Guild — 110

3. Makayla MacPherson — CCB p/b Levine Law — 82

4. Rylee McMullen — Virginia’s Blue Ridge Twenty28 — 81

5. Kendall Ryan — L39ion of Los Angeles — 70

Fetzer’s Flyer Delivers a Breakout Win

On the men’s side, the story was messier, more chaotic—and maybe more impressive.

With no team dominating, the field was a swirling storm of individual ambition. Attacks came and went until Andrew Frank, Empyr Cycling), finally made a solo move stick with 20 minutes to go. His gap grew to 30 seconds. Empyr’s strategy? Block the chase and hope Frank could survive.

Enter Luke Fetzer.

With nine laps to go, the Team Cadence Cyclery rider got the green light from teammate Lucas Bourgoyne, then launched a perfectly timed bridge to Frank. Three laps later, Fetzer dropped the early attacker and rode away, alone and unchallenged, to claim his first American Criterium Cup victory.

“At nine to go Lucas said, ‘There’s a guy off the front—you gotta go!’” Fetzer recalled. “I made it across in three laps. After that, it was wrapped.”

Carnage in the Chase

The drama wasn’t done behind him. As Empyr tried to control the field, they instead imploded—twice. First, a swing-off led to a crash in the backstretch. Then, with two laps remaining, another teammate clipped a wheel and took down a chunk of the field, ending any real chase.

Frank held on valiantly but was caught in the final meters by Maurice Ballerstedt, Rose Bikes, and privateer Ama Nsek, who powered past him for third and second, respectively. Ballerstedt’s podium spot was enough to vault him into the red jersey as ACC overall leader heading into next weekend’s Chicago Grit.

Men’s Results:

1. Luke Fetzer — Cadence Cyclery

2. Ama Nsek — N/A

3. Maurice Ballerstedt — Rose Bikes

4. Andrew Frank — Empyr Cycling

5. Danny Summerhill — L39ion of Los Angeles

ACC Standings:

1. Maurice Ballerstedt — Rose Bikes — 121 points

2. Brody McDonald — Golden State Blazers — 116

3. Danny Summerhill — L39ion of Los Angeles — 114

4. Lucas Bourgoyne — Cadence Cyclery — 110

5. Dusan Kalaba — Parks Law Firm All Stars — 98

What’s Next

Virginia’s Blue Ridge Twenty24 catapulted to the top of the team standings. Cadence Cyclery tightened its grip on the men’s side. But more importantly, Boise proved once again that criterium racing isn’t just about speed—it’s about instinct, risk, and the perfect move at the perfect time.

And Arreola and Fetzer? They didn’t just win. They made a statement.

ACC Team Standings:

Women:

1. Virginia’s Blue Ridge Twenty28 — 193 points

2. UTC Butcherbox Cycling — 192

3. Fount Cycling Guild — 127

Men:

1. Cadence Cyclery — 200 points

2. Golden State Blazers — 132

3. Bikers Cycling Team — 115

Logan Jones Wilkins contributed to this story. Photos courtesy of the American Criterium Cup.