After two days of being boxed out by Durango cyclists, Kip Taylor on Monday took advantage of riding solo.
Taylor claimed first place in the 43rd Iron Horse Bicycle Classic East Animas Time Trial, finishing the 13.7-mile ride in 34 minutes, 17.29 seconds. The 28-year-old who ran cross country at Fort Lewis College for two years from 2006 to 2007, finished 14.56 seconds ahead of second-place Christopher Blevins of Durango.
“I felt good. I think there was a little bit of a head-wind, or maybe my legs were just a little slow,” said Taylor, who rides for the High Desert Bicycles team out of Albuquerque. “My legs felt a bit like molasses, but it was still fun, and I love the course.”
Racing up County Road 250 to a finish at Shalona Hill, cyclists started in 30-second intervals shortly after 8 a.m.
Last year, Taylor finished third in the time trial in 32 minutes, 7.70 seconds, while winner Robin Eckmann crossed the line at 31:19.10.
“As long as my time is competitive, I’m good with that,” Taylor said. “Even if you do the same course, it always is different every year, depending on conditions.”
Blevins, a 16-year-old sophomore at Durango High School, made a late switch from the junior’s division to the men’s open A field. Only four riders competed in the men’s A division, compared to 20 in 2013.
“Time trials are hard, and I was definitely doing it for myself more than anything. Getting a medal is nice, and I definitely was working hard for that,” Blevins said.
Blevins said he practices on his time-trial bike every Wednesday and was prepared for Monday’s race.
“The past couple of Wednesday’s, I practiced on this course. It is a great road to train for time trails on, and it just happens to be this race course, too,” he said.
Kyle Thomas, who finished ninth in the men’s road race Saturday, earned a bronze medal for his third-place finish Monday. He crossed the line in 35:57.48.
“It feels good at the end of the weekend to finish with this race. It is a fun weekend, so I guess to get on the podium for one of the stages is great,” said Thomas, who rides for the Primal-Audi Denver team. “I was a little tired still (Monday) morning. My heart rate wouldn’t quite get as high as I was hoping to, but overall it was a good race.”
The course took the cyclist through rollers and twisting turns before a final climb up Shalona Hill. Though parts of the course are flat, Taylor said it can be deceiving.
“Obviously the Shalona Hill at the end is the hardest part. The whole course is full of rollers, so it is hard to get a rhythm before you get to the valley,” Taylor said. “Once you get cooking and making turns, it goes up Shalona, and that has you going the whole way.”
Race organizers did away with the overall omnium point standings this year. Unofficially, Taylor would have been the omnium champion after the three-stage event. He placed fourth in the men’s road race, third in the downtown criterium and first in the time trial. He would’ve squeaked past Blevins, who finished seventh in the road race, second in the criterium and second in the time trial.
“It doesn’t look like a ton of guys did the omnium, but it makes it worth while coming out here,” Taylor said. “I get to see my family that lives in Durango and do all three events, and that makes it a full and fun weekend.”
Blevins hopes the omnium makes a return before he graduates high school. It is high on his bucket list of accomplishments.
“It would mean a lot to win it. I’ve got a couple of more years in Durango before college, and I definitely want to get the omnium before I go,” said Blevins, whose list of accomplishments include a BMX national championship at age 6.
Blevins will participate in the mountain bike nationals in a few weeks, and he hopes to spend August racing in Belgium again after competing there in 2013.
Taylor will ride in the Sandia Crest Road Race in Albuquerque next weekend before competing in the New Mexico Regional Championship Road Race in June.
“I encourage any of the Durango guys to come down for the regionals,” Taylor said. “It is a great event, and we would appreciate having them.”
jlivingston@durangoherald.com
