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Gordon, Haywood take 24-hour world titles

Eatough takes second as Aussie sets strong pace

By Roy M. Wallack
Published: Oct. 8, 2006
Haywood takes the title
Haywood takes the title
Photo: Zapata Espinoza

Chris Eatough’s attempt to secure his seventh straight victory at the 24 Hours of Adrenalin Solo World Championships ran into an impassable roadblock Sunday morning — Australian Craig Gordon. Gordon, a 34-year-old former World Cup cross-country rider, hails from Sydney, Australia.

After riding wheel-to-wheel at a blistering pace, Eatough and Gordon lapped the field after only eight hours. But as night fell, Gordon (Cannondale) gradually rode away into the dark, adding two minutes, three minutes, five minutes, and once even ten minutes per lap over the 31-year old Eatough (Trek-Volkswagen).

With the Eatough eventually slowed by an upset stomach and blurred vision in one eye, Gordon upped his pace, maintaining 44- to 47-minute laps on the relentlessly bumpy eight-mile loop, site of the inaugural Olympic cross-country race in 1996.

Gordon also managed to outmatch Eatough in the team pit areas — the Aussie would often times run his bike through the pit areas as his mechanics lubed his chain and handed him water bottles. When dawn broke on Sunday, September 8, Eatough was a full lap-and-a half down on Gordon.

Gordon said he began planning for the 2006 world championships after last the Mont 24-hour race Down Under in September 2005.

Gordon took the world title with 30 laps in a time of 23:04, while Eatough racked up 29 laps in 23:24, nearly an hour up on third-placer Brandon Draugelis (28 laps). Solo Worlds vets Mark Hendersot and Ernie Marenchin followed with 28 and 27 laps, respectively.

“I did my best; I just got beat by a better man,” Eatough said. “I promise I’ll be back next year with a better plan.”

Gordon’s efforts all-but emptied the Aussie of his strength. He required assistance to dismount his bike at the finish line, and was carried away by emergency medical personnel and ultimately taken to a nearby hospital for a dose of fluids and electrolytes. The hospital visit caused Gordon to miss the awards ceremony.

After the race, Gordon’s crew chief said the Aussie would not be back to defend his title next year, given the distance and expense.

Eatough’s attempt at his seventh world title was caught on film by Jason Barry, producer of the 2005 film “Off Road to Athens.” The film will debut at the 2007 Sea Otter Classic in April.

Haywood scores
Haywood, the 35-year-old cross-country star gave the Trek team something to cheer about, and staved off a challenge from famed adventure racer Rebecca Rusch (Specialized-Red Bull) to win the women’s title. Rusch, a 38-year-old rookie in her first year of competitive cycling, won the U.S. 24-hour solo championships in August.

Haywood put time on Rusch throughout the night laps, finishing with 26 laps (208 miles) in a time of 23:20. Rusch racked up 25 laps (200 miles) in 23:31. Perennial Adrenalin podium finisher Louise Kobin steadily moved up after suffering two flats and finished third with 25 laps in 24: 48

After earning her first world championship, Haywood expressed no interest in coming back to defend her new title. Haywood, who turned 35 the day after the race, said she will only attempt a 24-hour race once every five years on her birthday. Her last 24-race was in 2001 at Utah’s 24-hours of Moab.

24-Hour of Adrenaline Solo World Championships, October 7-8
Conyers, Georgia
Men
1. Craig Gordon (Aus), 30 laps
2. Chris Eatough (USA), 29
3. Brandon Draugelis (USA), 28
4. Mark Hendershot (USA), 28
5. Ernesto Marenchin (USA), 27Women
1. Susan Haywood (USA), 26 laps
2. Rebecca Rusch (USA), 25
3. Louise Kobin (USA), 25
4. Katrin Van der Spiegel (Aus), 24
5. Monique Sawicki (USA), 22