The pro downhill racer went back to downtown Worcester last weekend and defended his title in the George Street Bike Challenge for Major Taylor, a 500-foot uphill time trial.

Discarding his heavy downhill bike and body armor, Flynn used a borrowed Specialized Allez road bike and hammered his way up one of the steepest hills in the city. After 126 riders took the challenge, Flynn again had the best time of the day, at 23.74.

Last year, Flynn, of Shrewsbury, broke the course record with a time of 23.13.

"I wanted to beat my old time but I didn’t," Flynn said. "I was close."

Flynn, who competed in the downhill and dual slalom pro national championships at Mount Snow the week before, didn’t abandon his roots. He wore his baggy shorts, loose-fitting downhill jersey and BMX-style helmet during the uphill race, which was presented by Barney’s Bicycle and the Seven Hills Wheelmen.

"I don’t really look at it as a road race. It’s really just a sprint," said the George Street record holder and two-time champ.

His powerful sprinting speed up the hill and his free-ride apparel were not the only thing that got attention. Flynn’s technique on the road bike flashed a lot of lateral motion that indicated drop bars and a light bike were not what he is used to riding.

"I heard my sprint was pretty ugly," Flynn said. "It’s just a completely different feel on that bike."