KNOXVILLE, Tenn.-Larry Warbasse admitted he may have had the best two weeks of his professional career.
Amber Neben may have had the best two days.
Warbasse emerged from a three-rider breakaway for a career-defining win at the U.S. road national championship Sunday on the heels of his stage victory at the Tour de Suisse, while Neben won her second road national title one day after claiming her second time trial gold.
"I'm in disbelief. It's been the best two weeks of my life," Warbasse said after completing the 110-mile route, which consisted of 14 laps highlighted by a nasty ascent up Sherrod Road.
"I had a really great race in Suisse a couple of weeks ago and yesterday I felt pretty bad in the time trial," Warbasse said. "I was pretty disappointed. I told some friends, 'I guess I work well with disappointment,' so hopefully tomorrow will be good.' And honestly I didn't feel good the whole day."
Well, until he reached the finish line.
An early breakaway comprised of Daniel Eaton, Ian Garrison and Sean Bennett was reeled in by the main field with about four laps remaining, putting the stars-and-stripes jersey up for grabs. It was at that point that Warbasse joined Neilson Powless and Alexey Vermeulen in the decisive breakaway.