Enduro World Series #3: 6-7 July - Crankworx Les 2 Alps, France

[Brian Fantana]

 

With the next DHI world cup more than three weeks away, I think many of the world cup racers will be at this one as well.

 

Looking forward to this weekend!

Edited July 2, 2013 by Brian Fantana

[Brian Fantana]

Event Website:

 

http://www.crankworx.com/les2alpes/en/about.php

[Brian Fantana]

Events taking place there this weekend:

 

CRANKWORX LES 2 ALPES

• Cannondale Enduro Les 2 Alpes
  
• Hutchinson Dual Climb
  
• Whip Contest
  
• Polygon Air DH supported by Fox
  
• GT Dual Speed & Style
  
• Les 2 Alpes Pump Track Challenge presented by RockShox
  
• Teva Best Trick Showdown
  
• Crankworx Les 2 Alpes Slopestyle presented by IXS
  

[Brian Fantana]

Event Website:

Battle intensifies as Enduro World Series moves to Crankworx Les Deux Alpes, France, July 6-7

 

Nicolas Vouilloz and Tracy Moseley take Val d'Allos

 

11pm GMT, June 30, 2013, Edinburgh, UK - "Battle" does not begin to describe the weekend's epic racing at Val d'Allos, France, that ultimately saw Nico Vouilloz and Tracy Moseley win after an all killer no filler 6 stage course and exhilarating showdown between the world's top riders.

 

The birthplace of enduro treated over 300 riders to distractingly gorgeous scenery, chairlift supported liaison stages, and 6 timed sections that, in addition to 5 practice runs, yielded 11,000 meters of technical, challenging and physical descent.

 

Dropping 1000 meters from the 2500m summit for each stage meant altitude played a factor for riders. Coming off his victory in Round 1 of the Enduro World Series, Fabien Barel commented that within two corners from the start of the first stage in Val d'Allos, he was already out of air.

 

Genepy, the locally crafted spirit, was needed by the weekend's conclusion, as riders celebrated and commiserated over crashes and punctures that left the podium wide open. Race favourite, and leader at the time, Jerome Clementz (Cannondale OverMountain) suffered a puncture in stage 3, as did Fabien Barel (Team Canyon) and Dan Atherton (GT Factory Racing). Other top contenders, including Ben Cruz (Cannondale OverMountain) and Josh Carlson (Team Giant Factory Racing) had crashes that put them out of the race. Jared Graves and Anneke Beerten both crashed twice in the long fourth and fifth stages, but managed to hold on to their positions on the podium.

 

In the end, consistency favoured Tracy Moseley (Trek Factory Racing), the winner from Punta Ala, in the women's race, ahead of Cecile Ravanel and Anneke Beerten. Moseley now holds the Overall Series Lead.

 

Nicolas Vouilloz won the men's contest at Val d'Allos, with Jared Graves hard on his tail and downhill World Champion Greg Minnaar stepping up to the podium with a 3rd place finish.

 

Graves takes the Overall Series Lead from Fabien Barel who will need to push in future events to regain his place. Series favourite, Jerome Clementz was on damage control for his series standings after suffering the puncture.

 

Martin Maes (GT Factory Racing), the young phenom from Belgium, retained his commanding lead in the Junior division, despite a crash on the first stage, and a 30 second time penalty for course cutting on stage 1.

 

Taking the top 3 results from team riders in any division puts Trek Factory Racing in the Team Series Lead with 1820 points.

 

With less than 10 seconds between the top male riders after 2 days, 6 stages, 11,000 meters of descending and an hour on the clock, it was sheer grit that dominated.

 

Says Enduro World Series Managing Director, Chris Ball, "The one run, limited practice format definitely evened things out between experienced locals and the first timers like Graves, Wildhaber and Minnaar. The times were just incredibly tight. Even on stages that were over 15 minutes long, the riders were within a second of each other. It was savage, intense racing. I personally can't believe just how close it was."

 

From the birthplace of enduro, the Enduro World Series stays in France for the next round, moving on to the gravity playground of Crankworx Les Deux Alpes, July 6-7, where the battlefield will be refreshed with a 4 stage course, incorporating the mountain bike park.

 

A full video highlight show from Dirt TV covering all the action from this weekend will be released on Tuesday to supplement their preview and rider and gear edits currently available at www.enduroworldseries.com/

 

-30-

 

About the Enduro World Series

The Enduro World Series was created in October 2012 with the aim of uniting the world's mountain bike enduro racing community. The Enduro World Series links the largest mountain bike enduro events in the world with the best trails possible and exists to deliver the best racing, most relaxed atmosphere and rider-focused organization possible. The team behind the Enduro World Series has one goal - to globally develop and progress the discipline of enduro for the riders, the sport and the industry. With the shared experience of Italian Super Enduro, French Enduro Series, Crankworx and World Cup racing, the Enduro World Series will offer international competitions unlike any before it.

 

The Enduro Mountain Bike Association's (EMBA) Board of Directors is supported by an industry Advisory Board, to reflect and respond to the riding community, that includes Santa Cruz Bicycles' Rob Roskopp, SRAM's Jeremiah Boobar, Fox Shox' Mark Fitzsimmons and riders Tracy Moseley, Jerome Clementz and Curtis Keene.

 

 

[Beer4Recovery]

Thanks for keeping us posted BrianFantana!

 

Bliksem that town looks like a lekke spot to do some biking!

 

I wonder why they don't broadcast this series over the web like RedBull does with the DH??

Edited July 3, 2013 by BearManGuy

[Guest Omega Man]

Thanks for keeping us posted BrianFantana!

 

Bliksem that town looks like a lekke spot to do some biking!

 

I wonder why they don't broadcast this series over the web like RedBull does with the DH??

 

http://www.peakretre...-summer-ski.htm

 

 

I can't find their website at the moment but there's a british outfit based in Les Deux Alpes that does guided riding in the region.

Edited July 3, 2013 by Omega Man

[Brian Fantana]

[Brian Fantana]

Round 3 men's winner is Jerome Clementz! Vouilloz and Blenksinsop round out the men's podium after a gruelling race here in Les 2 Alpes.

 

Women overall: moseley takes 3 from 3! Ravanel 2nd, Ragot 3rd.

Retweeted by Enduro World Series

 

[(Deon)]

Round 3 men's winner is Jerome Clementz! Vouilloz and Blenksinsop round out the men's podium after a gruelling race here in Les 2 Alpes.

 

Women overall: moseley takes 3 from 3! Ravanel 2nd, Ragot 3rd.

Retweeted by Enduro World Series

 

Clementz is so smooth, what a rider.. damn!!

[Thug]

About time he had some luck.

[(Deon)]

He sure knows the game.

[Brian Fantana]

Dirt Magazine gallery:

 

http://dirt.mpora.com/news/ewscrankworx-gallery-les-deux-alpes-sunday.html

[Brian Fantana]

Great article and rider opinions by Enduro MTB Magazine:

 

http://enduro-mtb.com/en/enduro-world-series-crankworx-les-2-alpes-day-two-the-race/