"I could win every race in Utah and turn in my resume to a pro team, and it wouldn't cut it," he said. "I need results from top national races."

He wouldn't be the first cyclist to reach the big time from Utah. Former Utahns David Zabriskie and Levi Leipheimer are among the top cyclists in the world, and Jeff Louder and Burke Swindlehurst have risen to prominence on the U.S. scene.

Lofgran has had modest success in a variety of races around the West — 15th in the Usery Pass time trial in Arizona, 18th in the Valley of the Sun Stage Race, 20th in the Tour of the Gila (N.M.) time trial, 25th overall in the Cascade Classic stage race in Oregon, 10th in the Sundance hill climb. In his first year of racing, he accumulated enough points to improve from a Category 5 rating to a Cat 2 (1 is best) in amateur cycling.

"That's fairly good for someone new to the sport," Smith said.

Bikers are tested for the wattage they produce while pedaling a bike to measure the power they are producing. "His first test wasn't anything exceptional, but the improvement he's made since then — a 22 percent power increase — that's astronomical," Smith said. But, as Smith will tell you, it takes years for a cyclist to reach peak form.

Just getting to the races has been formidable for Lofgran. Not only does he make little money from cycling, but he has to pay for the privilege of doing it.

"Bob and I might never make it to Europe, but we know that we are blessed to have the opportunity to try," Taunya said.

Team Lofgran spends about $1,000 a month on race entry fees, supplements, vitamins, gas, hotels and coaching fees. His bike cost $3,000 — "and it's probably the cheapest one in the race," he said. He owns the bike but not the wheels, which cost $1,200 and are on loan. Tires are $25 each and sometimes last only one race. The Lofgrans end up with a stack of used tires at the end of the summer, which they use on a stationary training bike.

To save money, the Lofgrans moved into her parents' basement this year. It has two rooms, one of which is filled with bikes and cycling gear. Their groceries are free, courtesy of Mom and Dad.

Taunya attends school to study fashion design and works as a secretary in the State Office of Education. Bob takes college courses on the Internet and holds part-time jobs at a bike shop, a hamburger joint and a health club spinning class. He also does an internship one night a week for Mass Mutual.

"I've been worrying a lot," he said. "I'm running myself ragged to pay bills, get my schooling, race and train."