A Test of Resilience, Mindset, and the Power of Adaptation - Reflecting on the Volta Portugal with Caleb Classen

For Caleb Classen of Project Echelon Racing, the Volta a Portugal was more than just a race—it was a test of resilience, mindset, and the power of adaptation. Over ten grueling days of racing through the Portuguese countryside, Classen and his teammates faced intense heat, mechanical setbacks, and a peloton stacked with world-class talent. Yet through it all, they found moments of triumph and transformation.

“Going into the Volta a Portugal, I was quite confident in myself,” Classen shared. “Yet a bit unsure what to expect from the race. How would I handle the heat, how would I stack up against the Portuguese peloton, and how would my body respond to 10 days of all-out racing? 
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That uncertainty quickly turned into a physical and mental challenge. After struggling through the first two stages, Classen admitted, “It was clear just finishing the race would be a huge challenge.”

But everything changed in Stage 3. The day began with a brutal 15-kilometer climb, and Classen found himself dangling off the back in the neutral zone, fighting just to stay in the race. 

“It was everything I had to not get dropped in the first 15 minutes,” he recalled. Then came a steep, technical descent. One that would shift his entire mindset. “I pretty much ripped it as hard as I could. I had so much fun on that descent that it completely turned my mental state around for the rest of the stage.”

That shift in perspective proved powerful. Instead of fearing the climbs, Classen began using the descents to position himself strategically. 
“Before I knew it, we had made it over all the major climbs and were on a hilly finishing circuit in a position to fight for the win. So, I figured I'd do just that, and it almost worked.” He finished second on the stage, a result that underscored how confidence can transform performance. “It just shows how quickly your mindset can switch from just trying to survive at the back of the peloton, to having the confidence to go for the win, and how big of a difference it makes in your riding.”

Consistency, Classen emphasized, is rooted in preparation and mentality. 

“Preparation is straightforward—we all know what to do, it's just a matter of doing it. Mentality on the other hand is fickle.” 
Facing a European peloton filled with World Tour riders, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But Classen reframed the challenge.

“It helps to try and see it as an opportunity to show that you deserve to be on the start line with those riders. It only takes one small instance of success to affirm that in your mind and give you the confidence to make an impact in the race.”
The team’s journey wasn’t without logistical hurdles. After Stage 2, their bus broke down, an essential piece of infrastructure for recovery and comfort during long, hot days.

“I think we were all pretty devastated,” Classen said. “It sucked for the riders, but it also created a lot of logistical challenges for the staff, who already had a bit too much on their plates to begin with.” 

Yet the team’s support crew rose to the occasion. 

“They didn’t skip a beat, did what needed to be done, and took care of us the best they could.” 

One moment stood out: “My favorite instance of ‘doing what needed to be done’ would have to be super gluing the broken radiator of our van which had broken down 500 meters from the top of the Stage 4 summit finish. The van made it back to the hotel that night, running as good as ever.”

As the team looks ahead to future races like Maryland, Classen carries forward a key lesson: “Sometimes you just need to shoot your shot, even when you don't think it's going to work. You might surprise yourself.”

In a race where Project Echelon may be seen as underdogs, Classen is ready to go all in. “If I put all my cards on the table and nothing comes of it, I won't lose any sleep. But it would be a disappointment if I never put myself in the position to try.”

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The 2025 Maryland Cycling Classic is set to make history on Saturday, September 6, as it welcomes both men’s and women’s professional races for the first time on a fully urban circuit in Baltimore. As the only UCI ProSeries one-day race in the United States, this event draws elite international teams—including Tour de France participants, national champions, and Olympians—to compete on a challenging 17.9-mile loop that winds through the heart of Charm City. The redesigned course features 28 technical turns, cobblestone sections, explosive climbs, and a fast final sprint along East Pratt Street, offering spectators thrilling race dynamics and multiple viewing zones across the city.

Maryland native and Project Echelon racer Scott McGill, placed seventh in the 2023 edition of the Classic.