The Giro is not the only big race going on just now. The tenth edition of the Amgen Tour of California started yesterday, and that signalled the beginning of a very special eight days for 35-year-old double US Champion, Eric Marcotte, of Team SmartStop, who will wear the Stars and Stripes on his jersey at the biggets race in the USA.

Marcotte came to prominence last summer when he powered clear in an eight man group sprint to become US Road Race champion aged 34, with a perfect day for the small SmartStop team completed by Travis McCabe taking second and Julian Kyer fifth in a race where they beat WorldTour riders like Alex Howes and Matthew Busche. Just a few weeks ago, Marcotte again used his immense power to drop the field and take the US Criterium Championships, making himself a double US Champion in the process.

He recounted the Criterium race to CyclingQuotes.com in a recent interview.

“The way the course was, as well as the riders lining up for the race, it made it very aggressive and selective. It became very tactical because basically each team had a few cards to play, and if they weren't the right mix for any team, it would all reshuffle and start again. In the last 15 or so laps, UnitedHealthcare (UHC) began taking control of the breakaway with their very strong 4 riders. They had both last years winner in John Murphy, and a very capable Luke Keough who they were saving for the sprint set up for the finish. Optus was aggressive sending Tom Soloday off the front, then with 5 laps to go, Oscar Clarke from Hincapie attempted to bridge the gap to Soloday, and that upped the pace of the UHC train. Ultimately, when Tom Zirbel from Optum gave it a good go, UHC put full effort in bringing these riders back into the fold. So with a few laps to go, the breakaway was in pieces and was out of control for anyone. With two to go, UHC assumed the front again, but had used a bit of energy. Coming into the last lap, I had my teammates Travis McCabe and Shane Kline on my wheel, and the plan was to be the leadout for those two. As we came out of corner 2 with the little hill, I began to ramp up the effort with the race to the 3rd corner. As the road pitched back up, I gave it a good push and then took a peek back to see where my guys were. At that point I had a slight gap on the other riders. Having done the circuit for 2 hours straight, you know the speed you can take the final corners at. So I took it as fast as I could, a few pedal strokes between corner 3 and 4 to keep speed, then out of the final corner a good effort to keep that momentum. It was all about timing.”

While he hasn’t had much chance to wear the criterium jersey, with his outing in the Tour of the Gila criterium his debut in the jersey, he has had about ten months in his road race jersey and he says he has loved every minute of it.

“It has been a fun ride. Though our sport is not nearly as popular or lucrative as others, because most who enjoy cycling have some interest in what the best riders are doing, I do get recognized and congratulated on occasion out on the road. It's really special wearing your country's flag in other countries.”

Marcotte’s story is so special as he has taken a much longer route to success than many other cyclists, and he isn’t a full-time bike rider, also working as a chiropractor in Scottsdale, Arizona. He explained how he fits both aspects of his life together so successfully.

“I am very blessed to be living as I am right now. I've taken a much different route to get to this point than most. Though, they work together as my knowledge, understanding, and education about the body, physiology, health and wellness has been crucial for myself and the patients I care for. I am blessed to be caring for an active and preventative lifestyle patient base in my community. Initially, my training and racing would revolve around clinic hours. As things have unfolded and I’ve been given greater opportunity on the road and made most of it, I've dialed back the new patients I see and the hours available in the clinic.”

Marcotte isn’t the only strong rider on a SmartStop team that has destroyed the US scene this past season, with Travis McCabe winning the National Racing Calendar overall by over 200 points from second place Tom Zirbel. Jure Kocjan was second on three occasions in the Tour of Utah and took home the Points Jersey, as well as third in a Tour of Alberta stage. Rob Britton has just wrapped up the Gila GC as well, ensuring the team started where they left off in 2014. The team has been able to recruit ex-WorldTour riders like Chris Butler and Evan Huffman in the offseason to boost their team in 2015. We asked Marcotte what it meant to be part of such a strong and well-assembled squad.

“It's been a great mix of riders and personalities. We've all come together from different parts of the world and walks of life to go to battle in these races throughout the year. I'm happy to be sharing these times with them.”

Marcotte isn’t sure if he will ride at the other two big races in the USA, the Tour of Utah and USA Pro Challenge, but says the team will look to fight against the best at all races they take part in.

“I will be racing Tour of California, the rest of the races are to be determined at a later date based on team goals and fitness at that time. Only time can tell how well we will fair against the big guys.”

As for Marcotte’s own personal goals for the rest of 2015?

”Show up for every race, and get the best result for the team as possible.”

Marcotte’s story is an exceptional one and he deserves all of the success he has achieved in the last year or so. Expect to see him light up California in his Stars and Stripes and doing what he does best: outworking everyone else in the bunch and helping his SmartStop team keep beating the WorldTour teams despite not being as big as they are.