Some of the best cyclists in the world set to compete in Colorado Springs
Colorado residents and biking buffs Todd Wells and Georgia Gould don’t have to arch their necks and look up at the competition too often. Wells, an 11-time national champion, and Gould, an Olympic bronze medalist, are usually the best in men’s and women’s cycling competitions.
This time though, as Wells suggested, it’ll “probably take somewhat of a miracle” to prevail.
With some of the best cyclists in the world coming to Colorado Springs, Wells and Gould will try to make up ground at Pulpit Rock Open Space and move up the leaderboard in the final leg of the USA Cycling U.S. Cup Pro Series presented by Sho-Air Cycling Group.
In the fourth race of the series, Wells (second on the men’s leaderboard) and Gould (fourth) will toe the line against a couple of handfuls of Olympians, as well as the cycling pride of Colorado Springs – featuring top-ranked women’s cyclo-cross racer Katie Compton and Olympic hopeful Russell Finsterwald – in hopes of grabbing a chunk of an $81,000 purse.
“It’s a heck of a field. Definitely one of, if not, the best field to come to this part of the country in recent memory,” said Wells, 38, who resides in Durango. “Fans don’t get to see this much talent every day.”
Neither do Wells and Gould. Heading into the weekend, each admitted they would need some luck to leapfrog to the top of the podium. Wells (79), representing Specialized Racing, is 15 points behind Canada’s Geoff Kabush of Scott-3Rox Racing (94). While Gould (70) trails Luna Pro teammates Katerina Nash of the Czech Republic (107) and Catherine Pendrel of Canada (94), as well as Canadian Emily Batty of Trek Factory Racing (82).
“No, you probably won’t see Coloradans sweep the podium,” laughed Gould, 34, who will make the trek down from her home in Fort Collins. “These racers are the best in the world. For us that live here though, I think the added incentive will be because it’s in front of our home fans. It’ll be fun for sure.”
Pros won’t be the only racers on display over the weekend either. Anyone can sign up to race on the pro course this weekend.
Racing begins at 8 a.m. on both days, with the women’s finale starting at noon Saturday, followed by the men’s championship at 2:30 p.m. Then Sunday, the pro short-track cross-country race will take place with the women’s pros going at 4 p.m. and the men’s pro race starting at 4:45 p.m.
“Colorado Springs is a beautiful spot and a great place to ride. I’m excited,” Wells said. “Hopefully the fans will come away with something pretty cool too.”
The Colorado State Championship races will also be featured this weekend with races on Saturday and Sunday.
United States’ bronze medalist Georgia Gould (11) competes in the Mountain Bike Cycling women’s race, at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2012, at Hadleigh Farm, in Essex, England. (AP Photo/Sergey Ponomarev)
United States’ Georgia Gould celebrates winning the bronze medal in the Mountain Bike Cycling women’s race, at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2012, at Hadleigh Farm, in Essex, England. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)