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The 9th Annual Mike Horgan Hill Climb lived up to its reputation as one of Colorado's toughest climbing tests.
The race took competitors up the newly paved Sugarloaf road and finished just outside of Nederland, high
above the start in Boulder, Colorado. Mike Carter (Denver Spoke) and Ann Trombley (Excel Sports), two
of the areas most accomplished climbers, won the Elite Men's and Women's races and took home the majority
of the $1,200.00 purse up for grabs.
The Elite Men's racers set out from Boulder on what Mike Carter would later describe as
"a perfect day for racing on a classic Colorado climb". As soon as the neutral start was over,
Jon Tarkington (Vitamin Cottage) threw down his typical "from the gun" attack but with the
field fresh and eager to race everyone was together at the base of Sugarloaf road and the start
of the serious climbing. Danny Pate was the first to attack and a small selection was immediately
made. By the time a slow starting Travis Brown had bridged to this group, Carter had already established
his race-winning gap. "I missed Danny's move and when I finally got up there Mike was up the road" said
a clearly frustrated Brown. In their effort to reel in Carter, Pate and Brown eventually shed the last
of this elite group. A delighted Carter, who won this race 7 years ago in 1997, crossed the line with a
comfortable 40 second lead over Pate who out kicked Brown to take second. Jonathan Baker (Pro Peleton)
and Johan Levin (Intermountain Color) both had strong rides holding on to 4th and 5th place respectively.
In the Elite Women's race, Ann Trombley once again showed the dominant form that has won her so many titles
this year. Completing the same grueling course as the men, the women's field would have a difficult time
containing Trombley, a member of the 1996 Olympic Mountain Bike Team. On her favorite terrain, steep
sustained climbing, Trombley opened a comfortable gap and using her Mountain Bike skills, cemented her lead
on the rolling dirt road leading to the finish. Trombley was joined on the podium by a hard charging Julie
Emmerman (Her Team) who beat Michelle Kiesanowiski (Horn by NZ) in the final sprit for second.
Special thanks to the Rocky Mounts Boulder Chaos Racing Team for providing
volunteer support for the race.
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