DURANGO, Colorado (June 2, 2022) — The Iron Horse Bicycle Classic hosted three mountain bike events over Memorial Day weekend, including the invite-only Roostmaster and Dual Slalom races, which attracted hundreds of spectators to Durango’s Chapman Hill Sunday night.
The Roostmaster is a made for TV event that’s similar to short track cross country. Women and men riders raced in three 10-minute heats. Points were awarded each heat, with first place getting one point, second place getting two points, and so on. The rider with the least amount of points after the three heats won.
After tight battles that took racers straight up Chapman Hill and down the Dual Slalom track, Savilia Blunk and Brayden Johnson were victorious. In the women’s race, Ruth Holcomb and Bailey Cioppa rounded out the podium. In the men’s race, Stephan Davoust was second and Todd Wells rolled across the line in third.
That evening, head to head racing on the dual slalom track provided even more entertainment for the crowd. In the men’s field, Collin Hudson took the win with Layne Gainer in second and Cameron Joye in third. In the women’s field, McKenna Merten won, with Elle Runyan and Sophie Allen rounding out the podium. Bradley Lamoroux won the junior race, with Kahlil Kem in second and Bryan Hastey in third.
On Monday, cross country racers tackled the seven mile course that started and ended at Durango Mesa Park, soon to be the site of Colorado’s largest bike park. Ruth Holcomb won the pro women’s race followed by Bailey Cioppa and Lauren Aggeler.
“The Iron Horse really went all out for the 50th anniversary and I don’t think I’ve ever smiled more in a bike race. Thanks for all the love Durango,” Holcomb said.
In the pro men’s race, Brayden Johnson took the victory followed by Howard Grotts and Todd Wells.
“Now that’s a good weekend. Nothing like racing with your friends 3 days in a row. Thanks to everyone who made this weekend great,” Johnson said.
Howard Grotts and Bailey Cioppa won the King and Queen of the Mountain competition, which is awarded to the best ranked rider from the Iron Horse road race and cross country mountain bike race based on an omnium style points structure.
