PHOTO: Kelli Emmett of Colorado Springs won the women's pro time trial Saturday at the Mountain States Cup's Cheyenne Mountain Explosion.

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Everybody knows Kelli Emmett can ride a mountain bike like nobody's business.  Like most professional athletes, she's gutsy and confident.
Here is a little story about that. Not long ago she received word from her Giant Factory Off-Road Team that she would be racing in the Leadville 100, arguably the toughest and most popular single-day bike race in the United States.
Emmett, 34, of Colorado Springs, didn't event blink.
On Saturday at the Cheyenne Mountain Explosion Mountain States Cup Time Trial, Emmett leaned on her bike, smiled and and put her confidence in words.
"I think I have a shot at winning Leadville," she said. "Distances have never been a problem for me, but it will take some training."

Read more about Kelli here: Colorado Springs rider Kelli Emmett talks about growing up, riding ...

To win, Emmett would have to knock off "The Queen of Pain," Rebecca Rusch, the tough Specialized rider who is the two-time defending Leadville women's champion and record holder (7 hours, 47 minutes).
"I really think Giant wants that exposure (at Leadville)," Emmett said. "Specialized has dominated up there, so I'll be there."
The defending national champion in the Super D (a combination downhill, cross country race), Emmett has never competed in the Leadville 100.
"I did ultra racing years ago and I'm excited to get back into it," she said.
Emmett won the women's pro time trial race on Saturday, knocking off the 3.5-mile course in 19 minutes, 42 seconds.
"This is good because it's my first race of the season," she said. "I've been riding a lot of miles, but not with much intensity."
Emmett will head for Monterey, Calif., for next week's Sea Otter classic, where she will compete in the Short Track and Cross Country mountain bike events.
The Mountain States Cup made its first visit to Colorado Springs and the racing was hot, with riders pouring their legs into some short, but stout, climbs and bucking the technical Medicine Wheel trail. Bandwagon Racing rider Doug Johnson, of Colorado Springs, chose the layout of the course.
Erin Huck (Tokyo Joes) was second in 20:54 and Sarah Rawley, who races for Yeto Beti and does marketing for the Mountain States Cup, was third in 23:31.
Colorado College senior Mitch Hoke (Tokyo Joes) won the men's pro race in 16:44. Colin Cares (Kenda/Felt) rolled in at 16:53 and Bandwagon's Johnson placed third in 17:27.
There is more racing - with many more riders - on tap for Sunday's cross country event. The first race goes at 8 a.m. The men and women pro riders start at about 2 p.m.

SUNDAY SCHEDULE

CROSS COUNTRY
CAT 3 & JUNIOR 14 & UNDER AWARDS FOR THIS START WAVE 10 a.m.
8:00 a.m. CAT 3 Men 19-29
8:02 a.m. CAT 3 Men 30-39
8:04 a.m. CAT 3 Men 15-18
8:06 a.m. CAT 3 Men 40+
8:08 a.m. CAT 3 Women 19-29
8:10 a.m. CAT 3 Women 30-39
8:12 a.m. CAT 3 Women 15-18
8:14 a.m. CAT 3 Women 40+
8:16 a.m. Junior Men 14 & Under
8:18 a.m. Junior Women 14 & Under

CAT 2 & CAT 1 15-18 AWARDS FOR THIS START WAVE AT 11:30 a.m.
9:30 a.m. CAT 1 Men 15-18
9:32 a.m. CAT 2 Men 19-29
9:34 a.m. CAT 2 Men 30-39
9:36 a.m. CAT 1 Women 15-18
9:38 a.m. CAT 2 Men 15-18
9:40 a.m. CAT 2 Men 40-49
9:42 a.m. CAT 2 Men 50+
9:44 a.m. CAT 2 Women 19-29
9:46 a.m. CAT 2 Women 30-39
9:48 a.m. CAT 2 Women 15-18
9:50 a.m. CAT 2 Women 40+

CAT 1 & SS AWARDS FOR THIS START WAVE AT 1:45 p.m.
11:30 a.m. CAT 1 Men 19-29 & Singlespeed
11:32 a.m. CAT 1 Men 30-39
11:34 a.m. CAT 1 Men 40-49
11:36 a.m. CAT 1 Men 50+
11:38 a.m. CAT 1 Women 19-29 & Singlespeed
11:40 a.m. CAT 1 Women 30-39
11:42 a.m. CAT 1 Women 40+

12:00 p.m. SHIMANO YOUTH SERIES RACE (KIDS 10 & UNDER)

PRO AWARDS FOR THIS START WAVE AT 4:15 p.m.
2:00 p.m. Pro Men
2:03 p.m. Pro Women