USA Cycling Selects Four Colorado Riders For Olympic Team

Casey B. Gibson

Four Colorado cyclists were among USA Cycling's 21-member team announced this week for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in August.

Pro rider Mara Abbott, who's from Boulder, will race on the women’s Olympic road team. This will be her first Olympics after missing a spot on the team in 2008 and then taking a year-long break from cycling in 2012. 

(Courtesy Dennis Jones)

Another Boulder cyclist, Taylor Phinney will compete in the men’s road race and the individual time trial. He's the son of Davis Phinney and Connie Carpenter-Phinney, both former pro cyclists and Olympic medalists. 

In 2014, Phinney crashed while racing the U.S. National Road Race. He fractured his lower leg and underwent surgery which led to a long rehabilitation period.

Last August, Phinney returned to professional road racing with a podium finish at the Tour of Utah, followed shortly by winning the opening stage at the Tour of Colorado.  He's had his eyes since on gaining a nod to compete in Brazil this August. 

Howard Grotts from Durango will race on the men’s Olympic mountain bike team this year. The 22-year-old Colorado native started racing bikes when he was seven. 

This March, Colorado Springs cyclist Sarah Hammer secured her spot on the women’s cycling track team. She won two silver medals at the London Olympics in 2012 and is a seven-time world track champion.