Taylor Phinney opened the 2008 USA Cycling Elite Track National Championships in Carson, California, with a gold medal in the men's 1 kilometer time trial.
Phinney, 18, clocked a winning time of 1 minute, 3.208 seconds to best silver medalist Jimmy Watkins (Bakersfield, California/Momentum Cycling) by more than two seconds, while Stephen Hill (Winston, Georgia./East Point Track Club) finished third.
In the U23 classification of the kilometer time trial, sixth-place overall finisher David Espinoza (Breiginsville, Pa./Herbalife) was awarded the national title with a mark of 1:07.370. Although only 18, Phinney was ineligible for a U23 championship since he is still considered a Junior.
In the only other title awarded on Wednesday, Michael Blatchford (Cypress, California/Cody Racing) clocked a time of 18.388 seconds to win the standing 250-meter time trial over Lanell Rockmore (Bethlehem, Pennsylvania./Gotham Cycling) and Watkins.