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03-13-2004, 10:00 PM
February 16, 2004
Cameron Wins Old Pueblo
22-year-old Subaru-Gary Fisher endurance phenomenon Cameron Chambers set out to prove that he could beat Tinker Juarez in a Solo 24 hour race. He did just that, narrowly edging out the veteran Juarez and the rest of the veteran field at this weekend’s 24 Hours in the Old Pueblo.
24 hour solo racing is evolving. The athletes at the top keep getting better and better, their strategies and pit crews getting more specialized. Cameron is new to the sport, racing only two 24 hour races last season. He has discovered his aptitude for the endurance discipline and is developing his training with the help of CTS and works constantly with his crew to improve race strategy.
This past weekend, Cameron and his dedicated support crew tested techniques learned at last year’s 24 Hours of Moab that they tested at Old Pueblo. “We were all over the pits this time, it was huge. As we get wired the pits just keep getting faster. As important as riding fast is, good pits shave 30 seconds here and there and that makes a huge difference over this long of a race.”
As this weekend’s race got under way, Cameron rode in second place until the sun went down. At that time he changed from his hardtail 29er to his Sugar 292. Enlivened and more relaxed going into the first night lap Cameron managed to make up the time on Tinker and the two top contenders raced side-by-side the entire lap. Each rider tested the other, and Cameron nearly pushed himself over the edge. But once again, a fast pit saved him as he rode back on course a full minute faster then Juarez.
The two traded the lead through the night as each rider suffered flat tires. As dawn came, Cameron led by nearly 18 minutes, but Tinker made one of his characteristic late race charges that closed the gap down to 5 minutes.
“I've never had a race like that. I'm usually in cruise control in the morning. I knew that I had people breathing down my neck and I had to go harder then I wanted. I didn't give him that much room to come back on me. It was definitely the defining time of the race for me, it made it feel like a good victory,” says Cameron. The glow of victory gives Cameron confidence for this season. “I know I can ride with any endurance racers out there. I just want to keep my training consistent. I know that we aren't doing anything wrong; I'm on the right track. I don't want to let up any. I’m looking forward and anticipating a big year.”
Cameron Wins Old Pueblo
22-year-old Subaru-Gary Fisher endurance phenomenon Cameron Chambers set out to prove that he could beat Tinker Juarez in a Solo 24 hour race. He did just that, narrowly edging out the veteran Juarez and the rest of the veteran field at this weekend’s 24 Hours in the Old Pueblo.
24 hour solo racing is evolving. The athletes at the top keep getting better and better, their strategies and pit crews getting more specialized. Cameron is new to the sport, racing only two 24 hour races last season. He has discovered his aptitude for the endurance discipline and is developing his training with the help of CTS and works constantly with his crew to improve race strategy.
This past weekend, Cameron and his dedicated support crew tested techniques learned at last year’s 24 Hours of Moab that they tested at Old Pueblo. “We were all over the pits this time, it was huge. As we get wired the pits just keep getting faster. As important as riding fast is, good pits shave 30 seconds here and there and that makes a huge difference over this long of a race.”
As this weekend’s race got under way, Cameron rode in second place until the sun went down. At that time he changed from his hardtail 29er to his Sugar 292. Enlivened and more relaxed going into the first night lap Cameron managed to make up the time on Tinker and the two top contenders raced side-by-side the entire lap. Each rider tested the other, and Cameron nearly pushed himself over the edge. But once again, a fast pit saved him as he rode back on course a full minute faster then Juarez.
The two traded the lead through the night as each rider suffered flat tires. As dawn came, Cameron led by nearly 18 minutes, but Tinker made one of his characteristic late race charges that closed the gap down to 5 minutes.
“I've never had a race like that. I'm usually in cruise control in the morning. I knew that I had people breathing down my neck and I had to go harder then I wanted. I didn't give him that much room to come back on me. It was definitely the defining time of the race for me, it made it feel like a good victory,” says Cameron. The glow of victory gives Cameron confidence for this season. “I know I can ride with any endurance racers out there. I just want to keep my training consistent. I know that we aren't doing anything wrong; I'm on the right track. I don't want to let up any. I’m looking forward and anticipating a big year.”