The second VeloNorth time trial had the same pair of firsts on Wednesday.
Elijah Buffalo and Sara Burke-Forsythe, who won the first one two weeks ago, were back on top in the expert divisions at the Icycle Sport North Klondike Time Trial, on the Klondike Highway.
“It was fast on the way out again; we had a tailwind on the way out again,” said Buffalo. “This course is flat, so it was really fast, like probably over 50 kilometres an hour average going out. On the way back, every time I looked at my speedometer, it was like 35, 37.”
“I liked the other one better. This one is way too flat,” said Burke-Forsythe. “So when there’s wind, on one way it’ll be super fast and the other way it’ll be like, ‘Oh my gosh - headwind!’”
Buffalo set a personal best on the 20-kilometre out-and-back course beginning at the Takhini Hot Springs Road. The 31-year-old finished in 27:58.9, more than three minutes ahead of second place’s Derrick Hynes.
It was three in a row for Buffalo, who also won U Kon Echelon’s Titanium Way Criterium the previous week.
Buffalo is gearing up to compete in the Race the Ridge B.C. championships at the end of the month.
“I’m being more efficient with my time on the bike,” said Buffalo. “So not necessarily more hours on the bike, but smarter training: specific interval work, not as many junk miles. I’m not focusing on distance, but just putting in a smart workout.”
The expert women division only had two riders, but Burke-Forsythe had some stiff competition.
The 19-year-old finished in 36:52.9 to beat her coach Trena Irving. Irving, who finished in 37:33.7, is a past winner of the Tour de Whitehorse and the solo women’s category in the Kluane Chilkat International Road Relay.
“I passed her and I was so happy,” said Burke-Forsythe.
“I was happy too,” said Irving. “As a coach, you always want your athletes to pass you.”
The U Kon Echelon cycling club is hosting the second annual two-day three-stage Tour de Skagway this weekend.
Results
Expert men (20 km)
1st Elijah Buffalo - 27:58.9
2nd Derrick Hynes - 31:16.9
3rd Craig Machtans - 31:44.6
4th John Berryman - 31:55.0
5th Chris Rider - 33:06.0
6th Shea Hoffman - 34:08.9
7th Phil Hoffman - 34:12.3
Expert women (20 km)
1st Sara Burke-Forsythe - 36:52.9
2nd Trena Irving - 37:33.7
Sport men (20 km)
1st Joe Morrison - 34:03:00
2nd Andy Muir - DNF
Youth (10 km)
1st Aiden Hupe - 23:10.2
2nd Ava Irving-Staley - 24:22.5
3rd Isla Hupe - 29:57.0
Contact Tom Patrick at
tomp@yukon-news.com