Fresh off a national championship in mountain biking, the Fort Lewis College cycling team has traveled to Asheville, North Carolina, seeking the 23rd national title in program history.
Competition at the USA Cycling Collegiate National Championships of Cyclocross (CX) will begin at 8 a.m. Friday with the Division I men’s race and at 11:20 a.m. with the Division I women’s race.
FLC will be in pursuit of the team omnium title, which combines the scores of team members throughout the competition. FLC expects a few riders to be able to contend for individual championships, which would go a long way in the team omnium standings.
At 8:45 a.m. Saturday, FLC will compete in the 4x4 team relay. Last year, FLC finished second in the relay.
Sofia Gomez-Villafañe is Fort Lewis’ top women’s rider. She is coming off another individual omnium championship in mountain biking and is the team’s top cyclocross rider. However, FLC cycling director Dave Hagen said she was disappointed with her 2015 cyclocross performance in Austin, Texas.
“(Gomez-Villafañe) is looking to return to the podium, if not the top step,” Hagen said in a news release.
Hagen said the men’s team is deep with six returning riders from last year’s team that went to nationals. Seniors Cody Cupp, Payson McElveen and Kolben Pebble have been riding strong, and sophomore Ian McPherson has continued to shine. Hagen said McPherson is a podium contender.
The team will be coached by Elke Brustaert and Ian Burnett. Team staff will include mechanics Jon Bailey, Allie Burnett, Phil Cowan and Lucas LeMaire.
The Skyhawks twice have won the cyclocross national championship.
heraldsports@durangoherald.com
CX Nationals
Fort Lewis College
Men
Jon Anderson, sophomore
Cody Cupp, senior
Cormac McGeough, sophomore
Payson McElveen, senior
Ian McPherson, sophomore
Kolben Preble, senior
Ryan Standish, senior
Women
Sofia Gomez-Villafañe, junior
Jenna McPhearson, senior
Erin Quinn, junior
McCauley Smith, sophomore
Durango Herald