Considered one of the hardest climbs in the world, Colorado’s Mt. Blue Sky Hill Climb (formerly Mt. Evans), attracted a sold-out field of 1000 riders on Saturday 20 July, with 21 year-old Ethan Dunham (TEAM SKYLINE) scoring the biggest win of his career by reaching the 14,130 foot summit first – but only 0.06 seconds.

After battling for 27.4 miles, climbing 6700 vertical feet and dodging mountain goats (the four legged kind) Dunham somehow found enough oxygen to outsprint Kevin-druis Merend by 0.06 seconds and finish in 1:54:09. Alex Hoen was next at 1:54:40.

Fastest for the women was beginner racer Isnaraissa Moir, 38, who finished in 2:24:30, over six minutes in front of pro/elite women, Autumn Vegh (2:30:59) and Isbella Rich (2:32:34).

Started in 1962, Mt. Blue Sky Hill Climb is considered a right of passage for top international pro racers, elite amateurs and weekend warrior gran fondo riders. The course record of 1:41:20 was set in July 2004 by former American pro Tom Danielson, who also holds the next two fastest times of 1:42:09 (2009) and 1:43:04 (2007). Subsequently, Danielson was found guilty of doping – twice, with race results from March 2005 – September 2006 stripped and a four-year ban served from August 2015 – August 2019.

It was recently announced that the event will not return in 2025 (and possibly never) due to construction on the highest paved road in North America, which climbs to the summit of Mt. Blue Sky.

Complete Mt. Blue Sky Hill Climb results HERE.

Photo Credit: Facebook/BlueSkyHillClimb

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