The reigning Elite Enduro World Series Champions, Sam Hill and Cecile Ravanel have taken the second round of the 2018 series in emphatic style.
Photos courtesy of Enduro World Series.
The provisional results are in from the second round of the Enduro World Series in Manizales, Columbia, with your reigning Elite champions taking the wins despite the rain.
One stage was called off due to the rain, but that didn’t stop some amazing racing, fuelled by some of the largest and noisiest crowds in mountain bike racing.
Cecile Ravanel took the win in Columbia but didn’t get the clean sweep of the stages, nor did Katy Winton and Isabeau Cordurier have it all their own way in the final medal positions. Props to Bex Baraona for taking second, her highest ever stage result. Plenty more to come from the Northern lass, that’s for sure.
Isabeau Cordurier would pip Winton for third, the Tweed Valley resident seeing off a flying Ines Thoma, who’d take the stage 7 win, and Noga Korem in 4th and 5th respectively.
Cordurier will be wondering how she can catch Cecile who was a minute ahead come the end of the day, while trying to keep a confident Katy Winton at bay. Expect these two to be fighting hard for the overall medal positions, and when their day comes, the win.
Ines Thoma no doubt will be happy to put some bad luck behind her and be back where she belongs, at the sharp end of the ladies field. You’ll not meet anyone that smiles more, so we’re stoked to see her back at the front of the charge.
Noga Korem has transitioned well from a relative unknown to a factory racer and consistent podium rider. 5 place may only be 4 positions from Cecile but she’ll need to keep chipping away to make up the places.
Despite an unlucky thirteenth on the final stage, Sam Hill made it a second win from two in his usual style. This certainly is a strong start from the Aussie pinner. Will we see anyone else atop the box in France at the next round, or are we looking at a replay of 2007 but on an enduro bike?
Local hero and arguably the strongest rider in downhill, Marcelo Gutierrez made good his downhill training to take second at his home Enduro World Series. Not bad for his first go.
Damien Oton makes it yet another podium to add to his tally. Keep an eye on this one. With all eyes on Hill, Oton will quietly work away for the overall.
After rising from the U21 ranks last year, the young Frenchman Youn Denaud shows he can mix it with the Elites by landing himself between Damien Oton and Mr. Greg Callaghan. What a start to your Elite career.
In fifth is, as mentioned above, Greg Callaghan. Like Oton, he’ll be happy to bag some solid points, with one eye on wins on the day, the other on the long season ahead and the Mediterranean Sea come October.
Full, confirmed results will be live on the Enduro World Series website shortly.
