Air Force Cyclist Ian Holt Wins U.S. Military National Time Trial Championship

(Irvine, California, 6 Aug 08) Ian Holt posted the best military time in today’s 33km U.S. National Championship Time Trial to claim the military national title in 47 minutes, 54.93 seconds (41.7kph).   Holt also placed 20th in the elite field of 70.    In the military competition, second and third went to the Coast Guard with George Ganoung and Sean Coleman posting times of 48:15.53 and 49:45.89, respectively.  Air Force’s Zachary Garrett clocked a fourth place time of 51:42.46.

The course was an out-and-back 33km with three moderate-grade climbs totaling 1287 feet elevation gain.  The 6km climb at the start proved critical as too fast a pace this section left some riders with no power later in the race.    Holt and Ganoung have both competed in numerous time trials this season so they knew how they needed to manage their efforts for this course. 

Holt had the advantage as he’s been a member of the Air Force World Class Athlete Program for the past year.  He’s been training and racing full-time this season, representing both the Air Force and Armed Forces in national and international competition.  He spent three month of European cycling immersion earlier this year at the Johan Bruyneel Cycling Academy in Belgium.  This certainly gave him the edge today.  According to Holt “the opportunity the Air Force gave me with WCAP support over the past year has been incredible and I’m happy that I could come through today to show their support paid off.” 

Holt bested Armed Forces teammate George Ganoung, who specializes in time trials and who has won this title several times before, by only 20 seconds.   “It’s obvious that Ian has used his WCAP time well; he’s much stronger and more confident than in the past and he’s still improving,” Ganoung commented.  “As for me, I’ve been time trialing well this year and had hoped to do a bit better today.  I spent a lot of time working on my position and equipment this season.  The Cervélo P3C time trial bike with the 3T bars are a huge advantage but, since my Armed Forces teammates have them as well, this was even.”  Ganoung was 23rd in the elite field. 

Holt, Ganoung, and Coleman have earned the right to represent the United States in the time trial event of the 2008 Military World Cycling Championships, hosted by Slovenia in early October. 

Sunday’s Elite National Championship Road Race will also serve as the Military National Championship.  Starting at the peak of afternoon heat at 2:30pm, 130 riders will compete over 190km.