Photo Epic: Crankworx Whistler - SRAM Canadian Open Enduro presented by Specialized
The Whistler round of the Enduro World Series always provides for some of the most thrilling racing of the entire season. The tracks here are long, steep and tough making for a cruel mistress. Sometimes we see brilliance, breakthrough rides from young, hungry riders and old masters showing why they are at the top of the game. Other times the mountains offer a glimpse of success, only to take it away again just as quickly, smashing bikes, bodies and dreams on the unforgiving rock. This year was no different and while the climbing maybe be diminished this year, the challenge this race poses riders was certainly not.
After a day and night of storms it looked threatening as things got under way today. Luckily the sun came out just as the race got under way and conditions could not have been any better.
Any time cut spikes are needed for racing you know it's going to be a good day.
Yoann Barelli has got 'Believe-Attack-Execute' on his handlebars, and the Giant rider took that literally, coming in second on the day.
Jared Graves was very open that the tight tracks here in Whistler don't suit him too well That doesn't mean he was hanging around though, as Cedric found out on stage 1.
Mitch Ropelato drops through the fog that was blowing in and out for the early starters on Top of the World for stage 2.
Adam Craig dropping into stage 2.
Marco Osborne tackles the rooks just above tree line on stage 2.
Ines Thoma pushing on stage 2.
Pauline Dieffenthaler crashed three times and lost a glove by the end of the day, but she would keep fighting to take 6th.
Anneke Beerten half way down Top of the World on stage 2.
Last year's winner Cecile Ravenel pushed hard, but could not match the pace of Tracy Moseley today.
Miranda Miller got 5th in Mont Saint Anne at the World Cup DH last weekend, this weekend she nailed 5th in the EWS here in Whistler.
Anneke Beerten wasn't feeling it so much this weekend and her knee is still sore from Crested Butte. She managed 4th but was a good margin off the winning pace this time out.
The Whistler woods make for some of the best dirt on the planet.
Florian Nicolai needed some serious refreshment after stages 2 and 3.
Another EWS and another dominant performance from Tracy Moseley.
Nico Vouilloz looked to be in the mix early on, but was never able to make a challenge to the front runners.
Martin Maes couldn't quite repeat his form from last year, although he was mechanical-free this year and only narrowly missed the podium for his best result of the season so far.
Conor MacFarlane did freeriders proud today. While the US freeriders needed to take a stage each to complete the race today, the Kiwi Rampage hopeful smashed the entire race putting in respectable times on all stages.
It's good to see Rosara Joseph back at the EWS once more, she took a solid 7th showing once again that she is rider who deserves to be a regular face on the series.
Florien Nicolai rolling through stage 4
This was maybe the best sight of the day. Nico Lau flatted on stage 4 and Cube mechanic Jan was fighting to get his bike turned around for stage 5. Larry from Canyon and Paddy from Specialized didn't think twice about pitching in to help get things back up and running.
Nico Lau checking tire pressure for the final stage once his tire woes had been sorted.
Marco Osborne continues his tradition of working on his own bike, swapping out the 34 tooth chainring from stages 1-4 for a 36 tooth for the final stage.
The tech zone at the end of stage 4 was a hive of activity with mechanics swapping tires and chain rings in an effort to give the riders the maximum advantage for the final romp through the bike park.
Tracey Moseley is back on top after that bout of altitude sickness took the wind out of her sails in Colorado last week, but Cecile Ravenel was not so far back as she has been in other races this year.
Jerome Clementz was 8th today, but the tight racing at the front of the field means he was still only from being in the top five after 50 minutes of racing.
Fabien Barel digging deep to try and stay in the mix on stage 5.
Nico Lau would run near the front for half the day with a win on stage 3, but a puncture on stage 4 spelled disaster.
Josh Carlson came out swinging today winning both stage 1 and stage 2.
Zoom in tight on that rear tire; what might have been for Josh Carlson had he not flatted on stage 5; the Aussie had an 11 second advantage on Richie Rude heading into stage 5, There's no saying that he could have held that lead against Rude on this final stage but 11 seconds at this level of racing is a fair margin of error. Unless you flat.
Another solid day for Francois Bailly-Maitre who would round out the top five.
Today really looked like it belonged to Josh Carlson. With multiple stage wins and sitting in first, it would be a flat tire on stage 5 that would dash his hopes of his first EWS win.
What can we say about Richie Rude? Consistent on every stage, pushing to the max but still able to keep his bike in one piece, he would win by a massive 40 seconds. That's two wins in a row for Richie and with his nearest rivals all having off days he is now the EWS series leader with just two rounds to go.
It was heartbreak for Justin Leov today. He went down on one of the wooden ladder bridges on stage 1, dislocating his shoulder badly. He is booked in to see the doctor tomorrow to find out what the next steps are, but it's certainly the end of his title hopes and most likely his season.
Isabeau Courdurier might just be the happiest woman in Whistler tonight. Her goal for the season was to get her first stage win and she did just that today on stage 4. She didn't realize when she crossed the line, and to watch the realization sink was to watch pure joy.
Yoann Barelli has a long, if nervous spell in the hot seat waiting to see what time Richie Rude put in.
Nico Lau reflects on what could have been. He was flying all week here in Whistler and that made his mechanical on stage 4 all the more painful.
No words. No flamboyant celebrations. Richie Rude simply takes a moment to let it sink in that he had won the biggest prize purse in Enduro.
As it's only his second victory Richie Rude can be forgiven for being unfamiliar with the champagne bottle tops. Fortunately, Tracey Moseley has plenty of podium experience and imparted some wisdom to the young American.
Your Men and Women's podiums today.
Full results here.
Related Content
King and Queen of Crankworx World Tour: Current Standings
Video: The Ever Changing Game - EWS Whistler, One Minute Round Up
Replay: Crankworx Whistler - SRAM Canadian Open Enduro presented by Specialized
Results: Crankworx Whistler - SRAM Canadian Open Enduro presented by Specialized
Photo Epic: Bringing Back the Fun - EWS Whistler, Practice
Video: Top of the World into Khyber - EWS Whistler, Track Ride
Video: Different Winners at Every Round - EWS Whistler, Intro
MENTIONS: @EnduroWorldSeries / @officialcrankworx
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dv42 0.052063
yeah I don't get the whole stuff with coil shocks, how can you adjust rebound on a coil shock for example?
The difference between coil and air is the spring. A coil shock has a mechanical spring, the coil. An air shock uses pressurized air (more pressure = higher spring rate)
From what I understand this "duality" doesn't exist in air shock
Wonder why these coil shocks keep showing up at the enduro races? All of the manufacturers keep telling me that air shocks are the way to go. I bought a Heckler a while back and sold the Fox Float and installed a rebuilt Fox DHX5 with a ti spring; much better ride.
(though it's not necessarily faster with a bigger bike...)