By Trek's Zapata Espinoza
As if riding a mountain bike non stop for 24 hours isn't hard enough, Chris Eatough had to do it in some of the worst conditions imaginable to win his sixth consecutive 24 Hour World Championship title. Eatough, who hails from Baltimore, Maryland, came to the big event in Whistler, B.C. with more 24 hour racing experience than any other cyclist in the sport. He needed to draw on every bit of it in order to withstand the constant pursuit of second place finisher Ernesto Marenchin. Marenchin dogged Eatough right to the finish, but after 24 hours of racing, he came up just over 27 minutes short.
From noon Saturday to noon on Sunday, Chris made 22 laps around the 8-3/4 mile long circuit. Always a model of consistency, the gap between his fastest and slowest lap was only 17 minutes (52 minutes versus 1:09). Upon finishing the race, Chris was predictably happy--and exhausted. "Wow," he said, "winning a sixth title feels great, but I'm really tired and I have to get some warm clothes on."
During the race, Chris never stopped for more than three minutes. Despite the steady rain which lasted almost the entire length of the race, Chris only allowed himself two clothing changes. The food menu that kept Chris fueled to win included: ham sandwiches, potato chips, pancakes with syrup, and warm rice pudding--all served and eaten on the run. For liquids, Chris consumed a steady diet of Cytomax energy drinks.
For the sixth consecutive year, Chris once again relied on a Trek Fuel to deliver the performance and durability needed for such an effort. Although Eatough brought four different Treks to the race, Chris never veered from his OCLV Carbon 110 Top Fuel. After the race, Trek VW team manager Jon Posner disclosed that Chris had been planning to use the OCLV Carbon Fuel Ex 9.5 (with four inches of travel) during the night stages, but that the constant threat of Marenchin compelled him to maintain consistency by staying with the Top Fuel (with three inches of travel).
In his usual gracious style, Chris was quick to thank all of his sponsors, especially his support crew that consisted of his wife Allison, his father Mike, lead mechanic Steve Borkoski and team manager Jon Poser. "If it wasn't for my crew, none of this would've been possible. In these types of conditions, they deserve as much credit--and rest--as I do! In the six years of competing in the 24 Hour World Championships the only mechanical I've suffered is one flat tire. One. That is an amazing testament to my equipment."
Chris Eatough is proudly sponsored by: Trek Bicycles, Volkswagen, Shimano, Rock Shox, Nike, Bontrager, JBL, Cytomax, Zeal Optics, Lights In Motion, Swany America, AMD, Cane Creek, Pedros, Genuine Innovations, Wrench Force, IMBA. |