Cat (left) and Shaina (right) after their race in Durango

The mtbchicks made a solid showing at the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic in Durango on Memorial Day weekend.

Tonya had her best finish at the race this year coming in 3rd in the Pro Women's field. A pre start thunderstorm decided the race for Tonya- who has the skills to ride the mud. After the start, when the rains began to subside, the course became sticky and slippery. Mud was caking onto the wheels of the bikes, jamming drivetrains and stopping tires in their tracks. Tonya came from behind- passing most of the 20 pro women to finish 3rd- while several women dropped out of the race. The race was called in for one lap instead of two after it took nearly an hour and a half for the women's leader to come through the start finish area. While many were relieved- the leaders including Tonya were disappointed in the shortened race. Tonya was quoted in the Durango Herald, saying "this is my element". Yep- she loves the mud!

In the women's Junior X race, it was mtbchick.com rider Mara Abbott all the way. Mara picked up her first win in the Junior X category- her 3rd mountain bike race ever- out of 6+ women. Mara was strong on the hills, which gave her the advantage for the win. Mara was the 3rd woman to cross the finish line out of older expert women and all the sport women, showing she has potential as an up and coming mountain bike racer.

In the junior category, it was Shaina Maytum and Cat Jaffee- both the only girls in their age groups, for their wins. The juniors had to climb the notorious Chapman Hill 2 times and follow a narrow singletrack which twisted up and down and by a nice little creek (that had a littla magnetism in it for Shaina). In all, the races went well and everyone had a great showing at the Iron Horse AMBC.

Check back for photos and journals from all the riders!

Oh- and THANK YOU goes out to Adrian Montgomery, SOBE/Cannondale mechanic for helping us all out in the absence of Troy! You ROCK!!!

Tonya journal

Mara journal

Shaina journal