Superenduro 2012 Season Recap

The season opened with a new venue on the PRO circuit - Golfo di Diano Marina. The small group of towns on the Ligurian Sea have a twisting network of singletrack in the hill above them that proved the perfect place to get the season underway. By Sunday evening Davide Sottocornola had emerged victorious, pushing back 2011's champion, Andrea Bruno, into third and narrowly holding off the young charger, Alex Lupato. Surprise of the weekend was a Brit, Paul Aston, lightning-firing his way to fifth overall in his first Superenduro race. In the women racing, up and coming riders Isabeau Courdurier and Morgane Such soundly beat the Italian girls, Chiara Pastore was the first Italian girl, coming in third.








For the second round, the series headed south to the rolling hills of Tuscany. There among meadows and vineyards riders faced the longest test of the season - 60km in the saddle. There were some big names there, Dan Atherton made his first Superenduro appearance of 2012 and was close to the win in a race where the top four were split by just four seconds. In the end it was Andrea Bruno who stamped his authority on the race, although if Al Stock hadn't gone down on stage three it could have been a very different story. Davide Sottocornola then edged Dan back into fourth. In the womens race Maria Federica Zanotto, ahead of Marianna Uttini and Clare Pastore.







Round three was the small town with the big-hearted fans - Pogno. Chainsaws, bike frames and bullhorns all came out of the woodwork to cheer on the riders for a race that also doubled as the Italian National Championships, unfortunately so did the rain. After struggling at the first round of the season, ten-times downhill world champion, Nico Vouilloz dominated in the wet conditions. Local lad, Davide Sottocornola tried valliantly to reel in Nico, he couldn't quite catch the legend, but was nearly 40 seconds ahead of third-placed Alex Lupato and took home the green, red and white champions' jersey for his troubles. As at Golfo di Diano Marina, the women's rankings were dominated by Isabeau Courdurier was first and Morgane Such with Marianna Uttini settling for third place.







As the summer drew on it was time to head up into the high Alps and for its fourth stop Superenduro rolled into the ski resort of Madesimo. As Davide Sottocornola took command of yet another wet race, his main challenger, Andrea Bruno fell back with misfortune. Alex Lupato continued his strong season with second and Manuel Ducci got his first podium of the season. In the women's race Anita Gehrig dominated ahead of Maria Federica Zanoto and Marianna Uttini.







Round five also doubled up as the first half of the Enduro of Nations competition. That brought a huge international field and the sole 2012 appearance on the Superenduro circuit this year for Jerome Clementz. He won. Nico Vouilloz couldn't quite hold onto his pace after some problems and Nicolas Lau took third. Davide Sottocornola was the top Italian, but could only manage eight and, as Andrea Bruno was again plagued with problems he more or less sealed his series overall title with a race to go. Manuel Ducci was the second Italian, in tenth. In the women's racing Anka Martin dominated, to win here for the second year in a row. She was followed by France's Morgane Such and Pauline Diefenthaler, Marianna Uttini was the top Italian in sixth.







The season reached its climax in its traditional, and fitting home - Finale Ligure. More than 500 riders from across the world took to the Ligurian hills for this hugely international race. Dan Atherton got everything in line and won by a sizable margin, his first major enduro win. Davide Sottocornola took a solid second to confirm his series dominance and rising American star, Curtis Keene, got an impressive third overall. Anne-Caroline Chausson utterly destroyed the women's field and smoked a good number of the men too. Maria Zannotto took second to seal the women's series title.






Thanks to the whole Superenduro team for an unforgettable season of racing... and yes, the 2013 dates are already published.

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