Will Ross lives and trains near sea level, so achieving the podium was a big surprise at the Borealis Fat Bike World Championships in Crested Butte, Colorado.
“Today was hands down the best day I’ve ever had at altitude,” Ross said on Facebook. “I’m still in shock I was able to pull off a 3rd place … against such a stacked field.”
Will Ross 2nd from right
Crested Butte sits in the Rocky Mountains at an elevation of about 8,900 feet.
Ross, a 30-year-old professional triathlete from Anchorage, completed the 28.75-mile course in 1 hour, 45 minutes and 38 seconds on Jan. 25. He raced with eventual winner and defending champion Josiah Middaugh (1:42:51) of Vail, Co., through two of five laps before falling back.
Sixty-six racers contested the main event, which was held on Nordic skiing trails normally off-limits to bikers.