Eatough passes on 24 Hour Worlds for NUE Series

Two days after being crowned US National 24 Hour Solo champion for the fourth time, six-time 24 Hours of Adrenaline Solo World Champion Chris Eatough (Trek / VW) told Cyclingnews he would not attempt to re-capture his title at the championships this year in California. Last year, Craig Gordon (Cannondale) ended Eatough's six-year run as World Champion in Conyers, Georgia.

"I'm not doing the World Solo championships this year. I'm going to finish up the 100 miler [National Ultra Endurance (NUE)] series and the [final] Shenandoah race conflicts with the 24 Hour solo worlds," said Eatough.

"Going to do the series is something I really wanted to do, so I'm going to Shenandoah. I wanted to do something different this year. Then I'm going do the 24 hours of Moab. I haven't done Moab in many years because the 24 Hour Worlds have always conflicted or been too close. I've always had to go to defend a title."

"This year I don't have a title to defend, so I don't have to go to 24 Hour Worlds, and I'm really looking forward to doing the 24 Hours of Moab."

Eatough is looking for a win at the Shenandoah Mountain 100. Although he's won previously, last year's Shenandoah 100 was the only 100 miler he has entered and not won. Team-mate Jeremiah Bishop took top honors instead.