Team Wideopenmag’s Chris Hutchens takes a look at next weekend’s opening round of the 2019 Enduro World Series in Rotorua, New Zealand.
Crankworx Rotorua kicks off this coming week and the Giant Toa Enduro is the opening round of this year’s Enduro World Series.
We’ve not even kicked of the 2019 race season and there’s already some controversy in the air. It could be argued that enduro didn’t have the best end to the season in 2019 with the news that both Rude and Graves had tested positive for banned substances at the 2018 Olargues EWS round.
We go into the season not knowing who the other riders under investigation are and no sanctions or bans placed against the two riders above. This has caused a flurry of online activity. The forums has been alive with keyboard warriors. Will we see Rude at round 1 though?
It’s been two years since the EWS visited Rotorua, which was again the first round of the series in 2017. This event was also the first time I visited this little island and it definitely lived up to expectations. The trail network in Rotorua is vast. There’s two distinct areas. The Redwoods/Whakarewarewa side where the race was focused in 2017 and the Skyline side where typically the slopestyle and downhill racing is held.
From an enduro trail perspective there everything on offer here. The trails are mixed and the options for loops and getting in distance is easy. The trails two years ago were unreal. Come race day though it was wet, very wet. Racing was physical and pushed rider both mentally and physically. I’m expecting things will be the same this year with big days out riding and technically challenging courses as well. Importantly though they’ll be fun.
There were some different names floating around the top steps the last time the EWS visited Rotorua. A certain wheelie Wednesday, Mr Wyn Masters, taking a very early series lead by taking the win just in front of Matt Walker and Wyn’s sibling Eddie Masters in 2nd and 3rd respectively.
The NZ domination couldn’t be matched in the females category as predictably Cecile Ravanel took the win. For me personally this race was the perfect season opener. Having saved my pennies over the winter I jetted off feeling well prepared and scored my season aim of a top 30. It was a trip and race to remember.
Will results be different this year? Here’s my view on how the first race of the season will pan out.
In the men’s it’s a safe bet to put money on Sam Hill coming out fighting after winning the last two world series titles. He narrowly missed the podium two years ago finishing 4th. I’m sure the NZL contingent will be firing on all cylinders as well after the 1-2-3 in 2017, can they do it again? Watch out for Charlie Murray as well. He’s a local, certainly in terms of being from NZL, and I’ve got a feeling with some more suspension under him and some Goodyear tyres he’ll be flat out.
Other hot bets for this round? Leigh Johnson was flying in 2018 and with another season as a full time pro under his belt I’ve got high hopes that this will be an even stronger year for him. With Ruaridh Cunningham and Mark Scott training a lot over the winter together and recently both clearly getting plenty of riding and preseason testing in I feel they’ll both be on flyers.
Maes will be at Round 1 and 2 of both the EWS and DH and from what I hear will chose what racing he’ll do after that for the rest of the season. I’ve got a feeling he’ll be racing DH for the season and dabbling at the EWS when he can. He’s got a point to prove on the DH front from what I’ve heard. Apparently he’s an enduro rider not a downhill rider according to some.
Sadly the female events won’t see Cecile Ravanel for a bit following her recent crash putting her out of season contention. Wishing you a very speedy recovery. This does leave things wide open in the females category. Isabeau Courdurier has be consistent behind Ravanel for a while now so she will be wanting to step it up. Home talent Katy Winton will be in a great position to push for the title and those NZ trails will suit her well.
I’ve also got a feeling Bex Baraona will be finding some podium time this year. I also suspect it will be a breakthrough year for Ines Thoma. Finally I’m interested to see how Miranda Miller does. As past DH world champion shes now making the move across to Enduro. A podium this year is on but she won’t take a win straight away. That’s likely to be Isabeau or Katy if it stays dry. If it rains then a more powerful rider such as Ines or Bex will step up to the plate.
