July 25, 2005 – Someone needs to check Scott Moninger’s birth certificate. Even at 38 years of age, the Health Net Pro Cycling Team Presented by Maxxis veteran just keeps on winning. Saturday, it was the Bob Cook Memorial/Mt. Evans hill climb. With the win, Moninger joined Mike Engleman and the race’s namesake, Bob Cook, as the only five-time winners of the event, which leaves Idaho Springs, CO, and covers just 28 miles, but climbs to the highest point of any road race in North America at over 14,000 feet.

Moninger was part of a select, four-man group that included second-place finisher Drew Miller (Landis/VW/Trek), Burke Swindlehurst (Seasilver) and another ageless wonder, former World Mountain Bike Champion Ned Overend. Moninger and Miller dropped their two companions once they got above tree line (well above 10,000 feet), and in the end, Miller couldn’t hang onto Moninger’s wheel.

The Mt. Evans race also serves as the FIAC National Hill Climb Championship, a title which Moninger won for the second straight year. In addition, the event determines the Colorado State Hill Climb Champion, a title which Moninger adds to the Colorado State Time Trial Championship he won in June. Along with this and numerous stage victories, Moninger has won the overall title in four stage races this season. As of USA Cycling’s last update, Moninger was atop the individual NRC standings, just ahead of teammates Chris Wherry and Gord Fraser. Moninger joins his teammates in Pennsylvania for the International Tour de ‘Toona, which begins Monday. Moninger finished second overall there last year to teammate John Lieswyn.

MT Evans HC 28 miles
Idaho Springs, CO

1) Scott Moninger HealthNet/Maxxis
2) Drew Miller Landis/VW/Trek
3) Burke Swindlehurst Sea Silver