Pinkbike Event Awards: Athlete's Choice - The Nominees
To determine the best DH, Enduro, and FMB events of the year we went straight to the competitors, since the athletes are the reason these competitions exist, and they're the ones in the trenches dealing with factors that most spectators won't experience. We polled the top athletes and team managers to get their take on the best races and events of the season, to find out which ones were truly world class. What follows are the events that came out on top, the events that possess that special blend of enthusiastic fans combined with an exciting, well thought out course, a combination that leaves both athletes and spectators smiling.
• UCI World Cup #1, Fort William, Scotland
Fort William, Scotland, has been hosting World Cup downhill racing for more than a decade now, and during that time the track has gained a legendary reputation. From a distance, the lack of trees makes the top of the course almost look tame as it winds down the hillside, a greyish white line snaking from the gondola station towards the finish corral far below. But take a walk down the course and it's readily apparent that this track is far more wild than mild, especially considering the speeds that can be achieved in the straightaways. And don't forget the rocks... Fort William is a notorious wheel wrecker, the result of racers charging full tilt into unforgiving rock gardens. Truly a proper downhill track, one that rewards only the strongest riders, a win at Fort William is an impressive achievement.
Fort William, Scotland, has been hosting World Cup downhill racing for more than a decade now, and during that time the track has gained a legendary reputation. From a distance, the lack of trees makes the top of the course almost look tame as it winds down the hillside, a greyish white line snaking from the gondola station towards the finish corral far below. But take a walk down the course and it's readily apparent that this track is far more wild than mild, especially considering the speeds that can be achieved in the straightaways. And don't forget the rocks... Fort William is a notorious wheel wrecker, the result of racers charging full tilt into unforgiving rock gardens. Truly a proper downhill track, one that rewards only the strongest riders, a win at Fort William is an impressive achievement.
• UCI World Cup #3, Vallnord, Andorra
A fresh track was on tap this year at Vallnord, the Andorran ski resort tucked in the Pyrenees Mountains. The track isn't that steep right out of the gate, but the pitch changes in a hurry, and before they know it racers are plunging down steep, rutted chutes, trying to find the balance between speed and control. In the words of Sam Hill, “It's technical and steep, how a downhill track should be.” That seemed to be the general consensus amongst the competitors – this wasn't a bermed and groomed bike park trail, one that you could comfortably pilot a trail bike down. No, Vallnord was a rowdy beast, requiring full commitment, and demanding that riders use all of their bike handling skills just to make it to the bottom unscathed.
A fresh track was on tap this year at Vallnord, the Andorran ski resort tucked in the Pyrenees Mountains. The track isn't that steep right out of the gate, but the pitch changes in a hurry, and before they know it racers are plunging down steep, rutted chutes, trying to find the balance between speed and control. In the words of Sam Hill, “It's technical and steep, how a downhill track should be.” That seemed to be the general consensus amongst the competitors – this wasn't a bermed and groomed bike park trail, one that you could comfortably pilot a trail bike down. No, Vallnord was a rowdy beast, requiring full commitment, and demanding that riders use all of their bike handling skills just to make it to the bottom unscathed.
• UCI World Cup #2, Val di Sole, Italy
The Val di Sole course is rough and wild, full of rock fields in the tight trees and tricky, off-camber sections. The course changes constantly as the race weekend progresses, with deep ruts and troughs moving and shifting as riders try to dial in their lines and make sense of the countless options. Bikes and bodies take a beating from the constant impacts delivered by the choppy terrain, and it's an exercise in endurance just to make it to the finish line without arm pump. Still, despite the demanding nature of the course, this is the type of riding many racers prefer, a tough, natural course without a man made feature in sight.
The Val di Sole course is rough and wild, full of rock fields in the tight trees and tricky, off-camber sections. The course changes constantly as the race weekend progresses, with deep ruts and troughs moving and shifting as riders try to dial in their lines and make sense of the countless options. Bikes and bodies take a beating from the constant impacts delivered by the choppy terrain, and it's an exercise in endurance just to make it to the finish line without arm pump. Still, despite the demanding nature of the course, this is the type of riding many racers prefer, a tough, natural course without a man made feature in sight.
• Bearclaw Invitational, Vancouver Island, BC
As a rider himself, Darren Berrecloth knows what makes for a good course, and a good contest. The Bearclaw Invitational, held on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, has a mellower vibe that some of the more easily accessible events, especially compared to the Red Bull fueled frenzy of Crankworx, but that doesn't mean that the competition is any less intense. The top slopestyle athletes show up for a chance to ride with their friends, and to see what features Darren has sculpted for the event. It all makes for a memorable weekend, one that attendees rave about year after year.
As a rider himself, Darren Berrecloth knows what makes for a good course, and a good contest. The Bearclaw Invitational, held on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, has a mellower vibe that some of the more easily accessible events, especially compared to the Red Bull fueled frenzy of Crankworx, but that doesn't mean that the competition is any less intense. The top slopestyle athletes show up for a chance to ride with their friends, and to see what features Darren has sculpted for the event. It all makes for a memorable weekend, one that attendees rave about year after year.
• Red Bull Joyride at Crankworx Whistler, BC
It doesn't get much bigger than Crankworx Whistler. Walk through the base area village and you'll spot a veritable who's who of mountain biking's top riders; everyone from DH racers to dirt jumpers shows up for this week of parties and competition. With Vancouver only a short drive away, the Red Bull Joyride has no trouble attracting thousands of fans eager to see riders unleash every trick they have in an attempt to take the win. For this year's contest the course was redesigned to add more flow, and a few more features, which allowed the athletes to focus more on their tricks without worrying about their speed. The revamp seemed to have paid off, and athletes came away impressed with the both the course and the throngs of cheering fans.
It doesn't get much bigger than Crankworx Whistler. Walk through the base area village and you'll spot a veritable who's who of mountain biking's top riders; everyone from DH racers to dirt jumpers shows up for this week of parties and competition. With Vancouver only a short drive away, the Red Bull Joyride has no trouble attracting thousands of fans eager to see riders unleash every trick they have in an attempt to take the win. For this year's contest the course was redesigned to add more flow, and a few more features, which allowed the athletes to focus more on their tricks without worrying about their speed. The revamp seemed to have paid off, and athletes came away impressed with the both the course and the throngs of cheering fans.
• Red Bull Rampage, Virgin, Utah
Red Bull Rampage is a bit of an anomaly on the FMB calendar. It's the only "freeride" event on the schedule, and stands in stark contrast to the highly manicured courses that slopestyle competitors experience during the rest of the season. But it's this rawness that gives Rampage its appeal, allowing riders to scratch their twisted visions into the red sand and rocks of Virgin, Utah, and truly test their limits. It's also a chance for the big mountain riders to mix it up with the more dirt jump / slopestyle oriented athletes, two groups that typically follow different paths for most of the year. And although it's a stressful, hectic few days filled with building lines, guinea pigging massive senders, and then trying to keep it together for the big show, when all is said and done, the Red Bull Rampage stands out as one of the highlights of the season.
Red Bull Rampage is a bit of an anomaly on the FMB calendar. It's the only "freeride" event on the schedule, and stands in stark contrast to the highly manicured courses that slopestyle competitors experience during the rest of the season. But it's this rawness that gives Rampage its appeal, allowing riders to scratch their twisted visions into the red sand and rocks of Virgin, Utah, and truly test their limits. It's also a chance for the big mountain riders to mix it up with the more dirt jump / slopestyle oriented athletes, two groups that typically follow different paths for most of the year. And although it's a stressful, hectic few days filled with building lines, guinea pigging massive senders, and then trying to keep it together for the big show, when all is said and done, the Red Bull Rampage stands out as one of the highlights of the season.
Love it, hate it or don't understand it, the word "enduro" was everywhere this season. And while we all like the word so much we're considering having it tattooed on Mike Levy next year, enduro isn't about questionable style choices, a convenient word to slap on unexciting products or a new label for what we've all been doing on bicycles since forever. What enduro is supposed to be about is one, simple thing: racing. While those races have been gaining ground steadily for a few years now, with the launch of the Enduro World Series it went global this year and you can now find enduro races anywhere, from the high, French Alps where the discipline was born to the hills of Southern China. We polled a number of the sport's top racers to find out what their favourite races of 2013 were. - Matt Wragg
• Enduro World Series #7/Superenduro #6, Finale Ligure
While Enduro may have been born in France, today there's a strong case to make for Italy as the adopted home of the sport. The Superenduro series has been running there for eight years now with a format that involves more pedalling and less lifts than the early enduro races. For each of those eight years they have ended their season in the seaside resort of Finale Ligure. Some two hours east of Nice, it has a vast trail network running along the lines of the old mule trails the farmers used to move their goods. For the last few years it has been an end-of-season party of sorts, bringing in riders and people from the industry who want to ride bikes and have some fun before the winter takes hold. This year, with the Enduro World Series it was literally the biggest enduro race ever held, with a field that spanned DH and XC world champions, through to people experiencing an enduro race for the first time, all together on the same course. Mix in the stunning trail network, great organisation, late autumn sunshine and the sea to sit and watch as you drink your beer and you know why Superenduro finishes the season here every year.
While Enduro may have been born in France, today there's a strong case to make for Italy as the adopted home of the sport. The Superenduro series has been running there for eight years now with a format that involves more pedalling and less lifts than the early enduro races. For each of those eight years they have ended their season in the seaside resort of Finale Ligure. Some two hours east of Nice, it has a vast trail network running along the lines of the old mule trails the farmers used to move their goods. For the last few years it has been an end-of-season party of sorts, bringing in riders and people from the industry who want to ride bikes and have some fun before the winter takes hold. This year, with the Enduro World Series it was literally the biggest enduro race ever held, with a field that spanned DH and XC world champions, through to people experiencing an enduro race for the first time, all together on the same course. Mix in the stunning trail network, great organisation, late autumn sunshine and the sea to sit and watch as you drink your beer and you know why Superenduro finishes the season here every year.
• Enduro World Series #5/Crankworx, Whistler
Crankworx is mountain biking's biggest, loudest, most-famous festival. They've been holding an enduro race as part of it for a few years now, but even they would admit that they have had mixed results with those races. Each year, racers came away with stories of trails that didn't meet their expectations and logistical problems with the race itself. With the Enduro World Series rolling into town this year there was so much pressure for them to get it right. By all accounts they got it spectacularly right, with virtually every racer praising how good it was on every level. For the first time the race left the confines of the bike park and ventured out into the spiderweb of trails that surrounds it. The organisers got the details spot on too, learning from their past mistakes to put on a flawless show when it mattered most. Throw in the party atmosphere from being part of the festival and you have a race people will remember for years to come.
Crankworx is mountain biking's biggest, loudest, most-famous festival. They've been holding an enduro race as part of it for a few years now, but even they would admit that they have had mixed results with those races. Each year, racers came away with stories of trails that didn't meet their expectations and logistical problems with the race itself. With the Enduro World Series rolling into town this year there was so much pressure for them to get it right. By all accounts they got it spectacularly right, with virtually every racer praising how good it was on every level. For the first time the race left the confines of the bike park and ventured out into the spiderweb of trails that surrounds it. The organisers got the details spot on too, learning from their past mistakes to put on a flawless show when it mattered most. Throw in the party atmosphere from being part of the festival and you have a race people will remember for years to come.
• The Trans-Provence
Most racing is serious business. You can talk about the "spirit of enduro" all you like, but at the Enduro World Series the stakes are high and the men and women at the top of the sport are devoting their lives to reaching the top step of the podium. The Trans-Provence isn't like that. Over the six days of the race, riders cross the Maritime Alps, from Sisteron through to the coast near Monaco. They cover around 300km and take in 15,000m vertical metres of descending on almost entirely natural singletrack through a series of timed special stages. While you may see familiar names like Nico Lau, Jerome Clementz and Fabien Barel on the results sheet, riders don't just come back with talks of runs, times or lines, but with talk of friends, sights and adventures. It's one of the few races that top racers enter, not because only they want to win, but because they want to be there and ride those trails.
Most racing is serious business. You can talk about the "spirit of enduro" all you like, but at the Enduro World Series the stakes are high and the men and women at the top of the sport are devoting their lives to reaching the top step of the podium. The Trans-Provence isn't like that. Over the six days of the race, riders cross the Maritime Alps, from Sisteron through to the coast near Monaco. They cover around 300km and take in 15,000m vertical metres of descending on almost entirely natural singletrack through a series of timed special stages. While you may see familiar names like Nico Lau, Jerome Clementz and Fabien Barel on the results sheet, riders don't just come back with talks of runs, times or lines, but with talk of friends, sights and adventures. It's one of the few races that top racers enter, not because only they want to win, but because they want to be there and ride those trails.
Special thanks to all of the athletes, team managers, and promoters that took the time to participate in this year's Pinkbike Awards.
Author Info:
Must Read This Week
Sign Up for the Pinkbike Newsletter - All the Biggest, Most Interesting Stories in your Inbox
PB Newsletter Signup
Seems like it's craaaazy fast at the top and insanely steep at the bottom
Were Urban DH races considered as nominees?
Awww hell he should be Forbes Man of the Year (although some of the business credentials are lacking but f*ck it he can shred a bike like no other)
I still say Mt St Anne was the greatest race of the year. Watching Stevie put on that spectacle in the rain had me yelling at the screen and jumping around after he took the win, utterly amazing.