Charlotte Backus is racing this week for a chance to wear a USA Cycling stars and stripes championship jersey. In August, she will wear red, white and blue in her home state of Colorado no matter what happens the rest of this week in Tennessee.
Backus, a Fort Lewis College cycling athlete from Larkspur who is soon to enter her senior year, began competition Thursday at the USA Cycling Professional Road National Championships in Knoxville, Tennessee. She opened the competition with a 22nd-place finish in the women’s time trial won by Amber Neben in 30 minutes, 19.87 seconds. Backus was 7:03.34 behind the winning time.
“It was so hot, you feel like you’re dying,” Backus said of the conditions. “But I think it was so much better for me than last year. There was an extra hill at the end instead of a hairpin turn, and that extra kicker hill was an advantage for me.
“Still, time trial isn’t my best. I need a lot more practice on a time trial bike.”
Backus will not participate in the downtown criterium race Friday night, as she is focused on the road race Sunday.
“I’m more suited to being a stage racer, so the whole year I’ve been targeting the road race,” she said. “I’ve done the Gila, Redlands, Cascade Classic, Tucson, and I try to hit every big stage race. Sunday’s road race, it’s what I’ve been training for all year.”
Backus competes professionally with the Orion Racing Women’s Cycling Team. She also has earned guest ride opportunities on the Femme Equipe team this season.
In late August, Backus will suit up for the USA Cycling team for the Colorado Classic. In it’s first year as a purely women’s race, the event will be held Aug. 22-25. She was one of eight riders named to the long team by USA Cycling on Tuesday.
“We are happy to have another opportunity to showcase the talent of our up and coming American riders like we did earlier this year at the Amgen Tour of California,” USA Cycling Director of Elite Athletics Jeff Pierce said in a news release. “USA Cycling’s Collegiate Program is a great avenue for young riders to develop and has produced great champions in the sport. We are pleased to give these athletes the opportunity to race against a talented international field in a top UCI race.”
Backus will be joined on the team by defending Colorado Classic champion Katie Hall as well as collegiate cyclocross national champ and road bronze medalist Samantha Runnels.
Backus is thrilled to compete in the event in its first year as a strictly women’s event.
“It’s huge because the step Colorado Classic is making for women is something I’ve never really witnessed,” she said. “The fact I’m now part of it and not just watching is huge for me. To represent women in cycling, especially in road racing, it’s very special because it’s something that’s been lacking. I feel grateful that the governor has stepped up and highlighted women. We work really hard.
“To represent Colorado and USA is so incredibly special. It’s really meaningful and will help my future success in cycling.”
FLC cycling director Dave Hagen was thrilled to see Backus earn a spot in the Colorado Classic and is eager to see what Backus and his returning women’s team can do next season at track and road nationals.
“All this experience should really help her,” Hagen said. “We have essentially a returning cast of women next spring. With all the experience Charlotte is getting, it should really help us for road nationals next year.
“Collegiate riders are some of the best young riders in the country. Getting invited to races like Colorado Classic, it really shows how strong collegiate racing is.”
jlivingston@durangoherald.com
