Haystack Mountain Time Trials

By Eddie Clark

Zirbel and Higgins take dominant wins in the Individual Time Trial around Haystack Mtn.

(April 16, 2011) BOULDER, Colo.—Clear skies, strong winds, and a great course are what the time trial racers were given to race with at the Haystack Mountain Time Trials this year.  Additionally, race organizers, GSBoulder Cycling Team, did a great job of marshalling the course, quickly posting accurate results onsite, and also providing a nice post race vibe that was fueled by Avery Brewery and free ten minute massages by Faith Davis Massage and Yoga.

“It was fun, very well organized, and the competition was real good” said Julie Emmerman of the winning women’s 1-2 team time trial team, Primal Treads.

All racers had to complete one lap around the 16.5 mile course just north of Boulder, Colo., which took them along rolling terrain on smooth paved roads.  Starting on Highway 36, just north of Neva Road, racers took off into a solid side wind with a slight hill just before turning downhill onto Nelson Road where a very stong tail wind catapulted racers down the road.  Peter Lucke of the Mix 1 men’s 35+ team noted that they hit 90kph (nearly 56mph) during the team time trial while riding down Nelson Rd.  “My top gear, a 55x11, was spun out and I was wishing I had another!”

“I don’t do a lot of road time trialing, but I did race this course last year, and I love this course because it’s a big power course which is good for me.  The tailwind downhill was fun and a big benefit”, said Cari Higgins (Peanut Butter % Co, Twenty 12) who claimed first place in the individual time trial.  Higgins just returned from the World Track Championships in Apeldoorn Holland where she road to 6^th place in the women’s points race and 11^th in the women’s individual pursuit

After finishing Nelson Road, racers took a hard 90 degree right turn into another challenging cross wind before finally making another right turn onto Niwot Road to head back into the brutal headwind, and steadily climb back to the finish near Neva Road and 39^th Street.  In the team time trial competition, this last section of climbing and head wind was decisive.  For teams that were down to their minimum number, three for the men and two for the women, their backs would be against the ropes compared to larger teams that benefited from staying together to better disperse the time pulling through.

“We started with five guys and finished with four which really helped on the last stretch into the headwind” said Nico Toutenhoofd of Team Juwi Solar/First Solar whom claimed first place in the Pro 1-2 team time trial. 

The big performance(s) of the day easily went to Tom Zirbel who is getting stronger and faster with every race since his return to professional cycling last month.  Zirbel scorched the course and won the Pro 1-2 individual time trial by a whopping margin of 1:48 over second placed Kevin Nicol (Team Hotel San Jose) for a fastest time of the day at 31:58.  Amazingly, Zirbel brought his three man team comprised of Frank Overton and Brad Bingham to within 3 seconds and second place behind Team Juwi Solar/First Solar, which started with five men and finished with four.

For full race results, please visit the ACA.

More photos here.