Race Winner Saves Suckling Pig, Now Kinetic PB Mascot

By Paul Moore
Published December 21, 2012

Now this isn’t the kind of story that we’d publish every day, but it’s Christmas so what the heck? It’s the tale of a life-saving race, and being Xmas has a thoroughly happy ending…

Full Press Release Below
When our seasonaire and resident professional cyclist Chris Bartlett, 26, crossed the finish line triumphantly at the end of a race in southern Spain he was astonished to be presented with the first prize – a live pig for the Christmas table.

Thankfully, Chris from Ipswich who races for Metaltek Scott team has fallen for the porker, now named ‘Lucky’, and has decided to save its bacon.

A live piglet is a traditional prize for the winner of the pre-Christmas ‘I Carrera Ciclista del Cochinillo’ race in Huercal Overa, southern Spain where Chris was competing as part of his winter training schedule.

“There’s nothing like a competitive race to keep your fitness levels up so when I saw the race advertised I entered. I had no idea what the prize would be”, says Chris. “After I’d won and the official handed me the pig I said, ‘What am I supposed to do with it’. He said ‘Eat it!’”

Chris had other ideas and struck up a deal with Ollie Watts, the English owner of his training camp, Kinetic PB www.endurance.kineticpb.com who has agreed to keep the pig on as a camp mascot.

“Lucky Rapha’s already a big hit with the athletes who are staying at the camp who touch him for luck every morning”, says Ollie. “She loves running around the place and is particularly interested in the bikes and the left overs.”

“She has to be the luckiest pig alive and we are delighted to have helped save her from the chop.”

FILED UNDER: Press Releases TAGS: Chris Bartlett / Kinetic PB / pig / Pro Cycling