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Mud, Sweat and Cheers

3/15/2010

Mud, mud and more mud. 24 Hours of mud, sweat and cheers awaited CTTC Racings team riders Nate Chapman and Martin Thompson last weekend on Portugal’s west coast. Not only was this the first race of the season, it was also the team’s first 24 hour event.

Following a rigorous training program of 4 hours a week and plenty of wine with dinners, the team riders were in top shape to really make their mark.

Although the highest place of the podium was reserved to riders of a different sort, a very respectable 2nd place ensured a champagne welcome to the mud encrusted team riders who rode in 6 hour shifts.

The track itself was a 10km loop with mixed terrain – from Iberian cork forest to open alentejo plains. Easy topography should have ensured very quick laps around the course, but given the track conditions, with up to 20% of the route barely pushable through thick mud, all the racers deserved a warm shower at the end and made a very valiant effort to ride non-stop from Mid-day to mid-day.

You can find more pictures of the event here, and if mud-plugging is not your cup of tea, you can always explore the serene beauty of Portugal’s West Coast with CTTC at a more relaxed pace on our Blue Coast Trip. Legs are now itching for the next CTTC Racing meet!

MKT

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