Team FITaos Juniors Crushing It in Crested Butte
From June 27-29th, 10 Team FITaos juniors spent a stunning weekend racing in Crested Butte, CO. Three events were contested in the juniors only events with a DH (downhill) on Friday, a STXC (Short Track cross-country) on Saturday, and then the XC (cross country) on Sunday. The weather was dry and warm leading to some loose dirt on epic trails. Athletes enjoyed awesome pizza, lake swimming, stellar riding on great trails, and always fun parking lot camping. It’s all about getting some time on the bike with friends and coaches and making the most of long summer days!
Of special note, 8 of these 10 racers are riding Team loaner race bikes. Generous donations have made this a possibility. We are in need of at least 2 additional race worthy bikes for our upcoming fall season so please let us know if you or anyone you know may be able to help us add to our fleet! A huge percentage of our team riders are only able to participate thanks to this loaner bike program.
Case Cook (age 13) was the only Team FITaos athlete who tackled the omnium, which is an award given to riders who raced all 3 events. The DH was up first. Case spent time dialing in his race lines the day before the event. The organizers removed some sections that Case had studied and Case ended up crashing on his run, but was unfazed and finished 37th.
The Short Track XC was on Saturday morning. Ty Shepherd started cautiously and then began passing people, moving his way up to 17th in the 11-12 year old boys group. Larka Schultz blasted her way to 9th in the 13-14 year old girls race. Case Cook and Gray Shepherd tackled the 13-14 year old field which comprised the largest field of the event (over 40 riders). Gray cranked his way to 12th and Case slotted into 27th. In the 15-16 year old race, Vincent Brady sped his way to 4th, Silas Conn followed into 6th, with Col Cassily right behind in 7th. Jonah Gilroy finished his first ever STXC in 10th. Isla Chavez attacked hard after missing clipping into her pedal off the start. She opened up a gap and went on to win the 17-18 year old race (with literally no competition).
The main event was on Sunday, the Junior Wildflower Classic XC race. This is an iconic course raced amongst stunning wildflowers, stout climbing, fast, flowy singletrack, and exceptional views. The 11-12 year olds and 13-14 year olds raced 10 miles, the 15-16 year olds 16 miles, and the 17-18 year olds 18 miles. Ty Shepherd (age 11) blasted his way to 20th in his first XC race. Larka Schultz kept things consistent ending up 9th in the 13-14 year old race. Gray Shepherd moved up a couple of spots to finish 10th. Case Cook wrapped up his 3 events finishing in 27th, garnering 23rd in the Omnium competition. In the 15-16 year old race, Silas Conn powered his way to 7th, narrowly outsprinting Vincent Brady. Vincent got caught up in a crash off the start and then charged hard to finish 8th. Col Cassily overcame bouncing off a tree to finish 10th. Isla Chavez suffered a flat with an ill-timed bunny hop in the first couple miles of the 18 mile course. After getting the tire fixed, she completed the race with a tube pushing out of the tire casing and took another win. Rowan Higdon cranked his way to 3rd in 17-18 category.
The weekend gave Taos athletes a good chance to get back on the start line and enjoy some fantastic race courses and summer fun. Grass roots regional racing provides unique challenges and the team handled each curveball with aplomb! As always, THANK YOU to all Team FITaos sponsors, coaches, and to all the parents and siblings who came along to make it even better!
In other news, Lhotse and Rio Johnson went to USA Cycling Road Nationals in Wisconsin. Events included a criterium, time trial, and road race. Lhotse Johnson is the new 11-12 year old Time Trail AND Road Race National Champion! Rio Johnson placed 5th in the Time Trial in the super competitive 13-14 year old group and got to stand on the podium, too!
Taos Composite High School team rider, Keaton Verswijver, has been doing a whole bunch of racing this summer, as well. Most recently, he finished 2nd in the junior division at the SBT GRVL (Steamboat Gravel) 79 mile race!
Next up, local high elevation training rides continue, Taos Mountain Bike week camp, and Durango Mountain Bike camp. Our middle school and high school fall seasons begin with our skills and social get together on August 3rd with coaches, athletes, Syd and Macky, and families!
