Amateur cyclist Andrew Knight is on winning streak… and having the time of his life.

The 46 year-old from Marietta, Georgia won his second consecutive USA Cycling Gran Fondo National Championship on Sunday and pulled on his fourth stars ‘n stripes national champion’s jersey this season.

After winning national titles at the USA Masters National Time Trial, USA Masters Road Race and USA Gravel Championships this summer, Knight won the overall USA National Gran Fondo title in Maryland by 18 seconds. On the 100 mile route with over 10,000 feet of climbing, he completed the four timed competitive segments in 1:05:00, barely ahead of 26 year-old Matthew Doyle(1:05:18) from Wyoming and 39 year-old Michigan cyclist Jesse Siemen (1:05:29). With all three in competing in different age group categories, each also won their respective national title.

“Gran Fondo National Champion! Mission Accomplished! I successfully defended my title from last year with the fastest time across all age groups. Conditions were absolutely brutal: 52 degrees and pouring rain all day! That is a wrap on a dream season of winning 4 national titles,” Knight posted on Instagram.

Jill Patterson, 42, of Arlington, Virginia was the overall women’s gran fondo national champion, finishing the timed segments in 1:13:45. The next fastest riders were 55 year-old Ina Pfuhler and Denise Esposito, 56.

2023 USA Cycling Gran Fondo National Champions
M14-16Cian Connolly
W14-16Sophia Papadakis
M17-18Henry Neff
M19-24Matthew Reynolds
M25-29Matthew Doyle
M30-34Felipe Aros
W30-34Regina Fink
M35-39Jesse Siemen
W35-39Kai Luigend
M40-44Owne Shott
W40-44Jill Patteson
M45-49Andrew Knight
W45-49Kristin Swinburne
M50-54Stephen Robinson
W50-54Jennifer Bushover
M55-59Jay Gump
W55-59Ina Pfuhler
M60-64Jay Trojan
W60-64Leslie Knibb
M65-69Rick Sorenson
W65-69Pat Caldiera
M70-74Bob Smith
W70-74Vicky Nielsen
M75-79Ralph Smith
M80+Howard Higgins

Photo Credit: Strava/Andrew Knight

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