Nicholas Narraway has begun his campaign at the 38th edition of the Tour of the Gila, taking on one of North America’s most demanding stage races in the high desert of Southwest New Mexico.
The UCI‑sanctioned event features five stages for both the men’s and women’s fields: an Individual Time Trial, two gruelling road races, the fast‑paced Downtown Criterium, and a decisive final road stage. Riding for Competitive Edge Racing, Narraway has steadily worked his way through the opening three stages, showing resilience in a field stacked with elite climbing and time‑trial talent.
The race opened with a challenging 26km time trial in Tyrone, where riders faced long, exposed stretches and steady elevation. Narraway completed the course in 35:45, placing 37th, finishing 3 minutes 15 seconds behind stage winner Walter Vargas.
It was a measured start for the Bermudian, who settled into the rhythm of the race against some of the strongest time trial specialists in the field.
Stage Two delivered the Tour of the Gila’s signature test: the brutal Mogollon climb. Narraway crossed the line in 3:33:20, finishing 57th after a punishing ascent that has shaped many GC battles over the years.
His combined time after two stages stood at 4:09:06, placing him 52nd overall heading into the next day’s racing.
The third stage saw riders tackle a rolling 122.6km loop beginning and ending in Fort Bayard. Narraway completed the stage in 2:53:46, finishing 74th on the day.
Despite the tough terrain and rising fatigue across the peloton, Narraway made gains in the general classification, climbing to 49th overall with a cumulative time of 7:02:52.
With two stages still to come — including the high‑speed Downtown Silver City Criterium and the decisive final road race — Narraway remains well‑positioned to continue his upward trajectory. The Tour of the Gila is renowned for reshuffling the standings late in the week, and the Bermudian rider has shown the consistency needed to keep moving forward as the race intensifies.
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