At only the age of 9, Ian Barton is making waves as an athlete and competitor. Coach Mark started by teaching Ian to swim, then progressed to helping him overcome his fear of being alone in the woods during mountain bike races. Ian has big dreams: becoming a professional soccer player AND cyclist! Follow this ambitious third-grader's journey for plenty of inspiration!
Age: 9
Occupation: Student, 3rd grade
How long have you been swimming, cycling, running, and/or doing triathlons?
I am 9 years old. I started riding a strider when I was just one year-old, and I started riding a pedal bike when I was 3 years old. I started racing cyclocross when I was 3 years old. I did my first MTB race when I was 4 years old and started working with Coach Mark 3 years ago. With Coach Mark’s help, I won the Texas State MTB Championship in 2022. I am looking forward to racing in 2023.
What aspects of cycling do you enjoy most?
What I like most about biking is getting to ride with friends all over Durango. My favorite place to ride is Horse Gulch. My favorite trail is Send It. Send It is a black-rated rocky, technical, flowy downhill.
Ian Barton (center) and friends
What has been your favorite training or racing event, and why?
My favorite event was the Sedona MTB Festival because I got to go with a friend, and I got to ride a lot of MTB trails. We also got to go to a pool, and I watched my friend race Dual Slalom.
What is your favorite post-workout or race meal?
In Sedona I ate a gyro, and it was amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!
What is one recent accomplishment you are proud of?
Completing the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic Quarter Horse in 2022, from Durango to Purgatory and back to Durango. I rode from my house to the start, then back home. It was my longest ride so far. The distance was 100.13 km (about 62.22 mi) with over 2300 feet of climbing.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
When I grow up, I want to be a professional soccer player and biker!!!
Learning to get aero early.
What is something no one knows about you?
I am behind in reading, but in math I am advanced!!! However, I am working hard to improve my reading skills and have improved a lot this year. I want to become a strong reader.
Ian's Race History
Texas State MTB Championship 10U with individual races:
- Warda Race, 1st
- Sugar Land Classic, 1st
- Big Cedar XC p/b Richardson Bike Mart, 1st
- Austin Ridge Riders Pace Bend Race, 1st
- Cameron Park Blowout, 1st
- 23rd Annual STORM Hill Country MTB Challenge, 1st
- Bent Wheel Bash, 1st
- Rocky Hill Roundup, 1st
2022 MTB Nationals Non-Championship XC Ages 6-10, 6th
2022 Junior Bike Week Wildflower Classic XC, Ages 9-10, 3rd
Cyclocross
- Durango CO, Mesa, 14U, 2nd
- Durango CO, Ft Lewis College, 14U, 1st
- San Antonio, 16U, 1st
BMX -
Class: Novice. 11 races, 10 1st place, 1 3rd place
Class: Intermediate: 1 1st, 2 2nd, 1 5th
Gravel -
Galactic Gravel: 16U