Event: Fell Mtn

Name: Chris Eatough

City: Baldwin

State/Province: MD

Country: USA

Age: 27

Place: 1st

Category: Pro

CLASS +/or Age group: Senior

Team: Trek/VW

XC Race Bike: Fuel 100

Tires: Bontrager Super X Tubeless

Conditions: Pleasant, 90% dry, 10% muddy

How was your fitness level going into this race?

I hope it is good, since the next 3 weekends include two Norba Nationals and the 24 Hours of Snowshoe.

Were you happy with your position going into the singletrack?

Yes, I was 2nd. Zach Blaser was leading, and he was riding fast, so I was content to follow until the first rocky, technical sections.

Were you strong from start to finish?

Yes.

When did you put the hammer down?

Once I found a way past Zach, I was able to extend the lead quickly in the rocky, rooty trails. I kept the pressure on the whole time.

Did you have any unusual problems?

Not really, even in the mud my Trek was perfect. I took some creative lines to drop in ahead of lapped riders.

Were you happy with the way the race was run?

Yes. There was a lot of lapping in tight areas and the other riders on the course were very considerate.

Did you have any interesting experiences during your race (exchanges with competitors/spectators)?

Timekeepers were impressed with my prerace estimate of a 40 minute lap time. I came within 2 seconds on the first lap!

Anything you would like to add?

This was a great race course; one of the best of the year.