Published May 27, 2009 10:33AM
By Fred Dreier
The three-day Iron Horse Bicycle Classic omnium concluded Monday with a 13-mile time trial from the northern outskirts of Durango, Colorado, to the edges of Shaloma lake. The stretch of La Plata county road 250, which undulates for 10 miles before finishing with a lung-busting climb, also hosts the local Fort Lewis College collegiate time trial.
Ciclismo Racing rider Ben Kneller took top honors in the pro men’s division, completing the journey in 3:24.48, just 10 seconds up on pro triathlete Greg Krause. Ben Hoffman, Fort Lewis cycling coach Matt Shriver and road race winner Anthony Colby rounded out the top five.
The win was sweet redemption for Kneller, who nearly escaped with Saturday’s Durango to Silverton road race. The 25-year-old attacked in the opening minutes of the 47-mile race only to be caught by eventual winner Colby. Kneller paid for his early effort in that race, and had to dismount his bike at the top of Molas Pass before the descent to the finish line.
Taking the women’s time trial was Durango native Kristin McGrath (ValuAct Capital), who completed the course in 34:30.00, 53 seconds up on Australian rider Tiffany Cromwell (Colavita-Sutter Home). The effort marked McGrath’s return to racing after the 27-year-old broke her leg in a nasty pileup during the women‚s Tour of Flanders back in April.
Last year organizers introduced the three-race omnium (road race, criterium and time trial) at the Iron Horse Classic, however a freak snowstorm led to the cancellation of the road race. This year all three events went off trouble free, and the points tallying led to a three-way tie between Sam Jurekovic (Sho Air-Specialized), Dan Bowman (Kelly Benefits Strategies) and Colby (Colavita-Sutter Home) for the men’s elite title
Taking the women’s title was Terrie Clouse of Monument, Colorado.
Men
1. Ben Kneller, 30:24.48
2. Greg Krause, 30:34.46
3. Ben Hoffman, 31:32.29
4. Matt Shriver, 31:35.40
5. Anthony Colby, 31:35.50
Women
1. Kristin McGrath, 34:30.00
2. Tiffany Cromwell (Aus), 35:27.54
3. Terrie Clouse, 35:34.45
4. Marisa Asplund, 35:47.18
5. Amy Dombroski, 36:18.54
Men
1. Sam Jurekovic, Dan Bowman, Anthony Colby, 65 points
4. Greg Krause, 63
5. Chris Wherry, 61
Women
1. Terrie Clouse, 69 points
2. Marisa Asplund, 68
3. Tiffany Cromwell (Aus), Susannah Gordon, Amy Dombroski, 66 points
Men
1. Ben Kneller, 30:24.48
2. Greg Krause, 30:34.46
3. Ben Hoffman, 31:32.29
4. Matt Shriver, 31:35.40
5. Anthony Colby, 31:35.50
Women
1. Kristin McGrath, 34:30.00
2. Tiffany Cromwell (Aus), 35:27.54
3. Terrie Clouse, 35:34.45
4. Marisa Asplund, 35:47.18
5. Amy Dombroski, 36:18.54
Men
1. Sam Jurekovic, Dan Bowman, Anthony Colby, 65 points
4. Greg Krause, 63
5. Chris Wherry, 61
Women
1. Terrie Clouse, 69 points
2. Marisa Asplund, 68 points
3. Tiffany Cromwell (Aus), Susannah Gordon, Amy Dombroski, 66 points
Wherry, Small win Iron Horse crits
Colby and Abbott win Iron Horse road race