Back to the Roots - Enduro World Series, Round 3 - Valloire

Jun 21, 2014
by Matt Wragg  
For the third round of the Enduro World Series in 2014 the racing returns to enduro's spiritual home - the high, French Alps. While Valloire may not hold quite the same place in the history of the sport as Val D'Allos where the original Tribe 10,000 was held, it is still one of the original venues for the original French races. They have been racing enduro here for a decade on the 1,000m slopes that surround the town.

If you're wondering why you haven't seen a practice post from the race, the simple answer is that there isn't any. Since 2013 French enduro racing has softened slightly, giving riders a untimed run down each track before they hit them at race speed. Until then, there was no practice at all and when you look over the rugged, unforgiving mountains, you understand how real this sport can be - hitting these tracks blind and at full-speed is an intimidating, if beautiful, experience. There are no flow trails here, no sculpted lines - it is a race course of jagged rock, steep forest and terrifyingly narrow and fast goat ruts. Although the first run down each track is now untimed, what hasn't changed is the sheer amount of descending - over the two days of racing competitors will face 10,000m of vertical drop, with 6,000m of that against the clock. These are the roots of enduro, this is where the sport was born and now, ten years later, the racing is set to be more exciting than ever.

Upon entering the Italian Alps we are greeted by the sight of so many jagged peaks. We traded one fine view in Austria for one that in my mind is far far better.
  Upon entering the Italian Alps we are greeted by the sight of so many jagged peaks. We traded one fine view in Austria for one that in my mind is far, far better.

Which way to Valloire
  Which way to Valloire?

We thought it might be nice to leisurely travel through Italy on our way to Valloire so that we might sample a couple dozen or so of these. I am now hearing visions and seeing sounds.
  We though it might be nice to leisurely travel through Italy on our way to Valloire so that we might sample a couple dozen or so of these. I am now hearing visions.

Speeding through the Mont Blanc tunnel. It takes fifteen minutes but costs forty three euro. Bring friends or go around. Luckily we had a full van.
  Speeding through the Mont Blanc tunnel. It takes fifteen minutes and costs forty-three euro. Bring friends or go around. Luckily we had a full van.

The mighty Bosson Glacier creeping its way down the Mont Blanc Massif.
  The mighty Bosson Glacier creeping its way down the Mont Blanc Massif.

We were greeted with this view of Mont Blanc shrouded in cloud once we passed through the tunnel a sign of impending bad weather on our journey.
  We were greeted with this view of Mont Blanc shrouded in cloud once we passed through the tunnel, a sign of impending bad weather on our journey.

Thunderstorms slowed our pace on the narrow mountain roads.
  Thunderstorms slowed our pace on the narrow mountain roads.

The view from the top of the Col Du Galibier. There are few times in my life when I am found utterly speechless but upon reaching the top of the Col I was without words. The worst of the weather seems to have pushed off and it s looking like we might have some fantastic weather for racing this weekend.
  The view from the top of the Col Du Galibier. There are few times in my life when I am found speechless but upon reaching the top of the Col, I was without words. The worst of the weather seems to have pushed off and it's looking like we might have some fantastic weather for racing this weekend.

Driving up the Col du Galibier you are greeted by breath taking views at every turn.
  Driving up the Col du Galibier you are greeted by breathtaking views at every turn.

Dylan Wolsky and Iago Garay get on the public wifi programme.
  Dylan Wolsky and Iago Garay get on the public wifi programme.

Justin Leov returns to the condo from a training ride while I prepare lunches for the weekend. Having nutritious meals ready to go is key for the team as they tackle a weekend of tough descents.
  Justin Leov returns to the condo from a training ride while I prepare lunches for the weekend. Have nutritious meals ready to go is key for the team as they tackle a weekend of tough descents.

Luckily we have had a couple of days to explore these mountains. Can t say I will be forgetting this place anytime soon.
  Luckily we have had a couple of days to explore these mountains. Can't say I will be forgetting this place anytime soon.

Italys Nicoloa Casadei is going big this weekend with this pre-production Ohlins TTX shock on his Lapierre Spicy. He was one of the few running a coil but with all the descending racers are facing it might be a good call.
  Italy's Nicola Casadei is going big this weekend, with this pre-production Ohlins TTX shock on his Lapierre Spicy. He was one of the few running a coil, but with all the descending racers are facing, it might be a good call.

It s not just racers bike you need to look at for special kit - photographer Lee Trumpore has this prototype fork from X-Fusion with external high and low speed compression adjustment.
  It's not just racers bike you need to look at for special kit - photographer Lee Trumpore has this prototype fork from X-Fusion with external high and low speed compression adjustment.

Today s office view. None of us can complain.
  Today's office view. Can't say that any of us journalists can complain.

Stoke level 13. Headed up for the media-squid stage previews with Vanja Kodermac. Some of the best riding I ve ever experienced in these mountains.
  Stoke level 13. Headed up for the media squid stage previews with Vanja Kodermac. Some of the best riding ever up in these mountains.

We re not allowed to show you photos of the tracks but a photo from the track is fine. Suffice to say that us media are quite excited about this race too.
  We're not allowed to show you photos of the tracks, but a photo from the track is fine. Suffice to say that us media are quite excited about this race too.

Two Nicos - Nico Vouilloz dispenses his wisdom to the younger Nico who won last time out in Tweedlove Nico Lau.
  Two Nicos - Nico Vouilloz dispenses his wisdom to the younger Nico who won last time out in Tweedlove, Nico Lau.

There French races are limited to just 300 competitors as it is the maximum number of riders they can get through the stages during one day of racing.
  These French races are limited to just 300 competitors as it is the maximum number of riders they can get through the stages during one day of racing.

Each competitors bike gets a timing chip and a set of stickers. The frame and fork are both stickered because racers are not allowed to change these during the race without permission - the idea is that it means you need to run durable kit that will survive two brutal days of racing.
  Each competitors bike gets a timing chip and a set of stickers. The frame and fork are both stickered because racers are not allowed to change these during the race without permission - the idea is that it means you need to run durable kit that will survive two, brutal days of racing.

One more collage. This one from the Col du Gilibier because it s too impressive of a view not to.
  One more collage. This one from the Col du Gilibier. Because it's too good a view not to.


Author Info:
mattwragg avatar

Member since Oct 29, 2006
753 articles

23 Comments
  • 26 0
 10000 m of vertical drop? I would leave the 160mm travel bike at home and bring a jet fighter for this track.
  • 6 0
 Haha, thought the same... but i guess they meant vertical drop of 10k as the overall sum for the 2 days. They should be going up and down several times in on different trails
  • 13 16
 Really, Narro? You think so?
  • 23 1
 Those collages are incredible.
  • 17 0
 So cool that there's only one practice run allowed. Keeps it raw, and the playing field level
  • 7 0
 so bloody stoked to see Vouilloz race again.
  • 4 0
 Worked 2 ski seasons here, beautiful and very French little village. Loved it. Can thoroughly reccomend cocktails and karaoke at the bowling alley.
  • 3 0
 Not sure about the no track photo rule as Enduro mag have some, albeit just a few. enduro-mtb.com/en/photo-story-ews-round-3-valloire-course-walk
  • 3 0
 This is why some many British bike bums head there at 18 and never come home
  • 3 0
 Amazing photos! Can't wait to see what the racing looks like.
  • 1 0
 These photos makes me even more excited about my trip this summer. Just one week and I'll be riding some of the most awesome singletracks the swiss alps has to offer.
  • 1 0
 Know the feeling, Been so lucky to get a spot at this year's Trans Savoie, still 2 long month to go
  • 3 0
 The French certainly do like rules. And cheese.
  • 1 0
 I've been there Snowboarding last winters,but in summer its looks waaaaaaay better !
  • 3 0
 The venue looks gorgeous
  • 1 0
 Sign me up. Looks like an incredible place to spend a weekend (or a lifetime)!
  • 2 0
 Wow, absolutely stunning photos. Can't wait for the race shots!
  • 1 0
 Note to self: Add to the 'to do' list for this summer. Stoked to be travelling around the Alps this summer Smile
  • 1 0
 Valloire is like my second home... I was there for weeks every year. Most idyllic ski village in France.
  • 1 0
 Drove up the col du galibier last year. Truly incredible stretch of road with sheep wandering out amongst the cars.
  • 1 0
 Amazing. Def be wanting a big ass fork here
  • 1 0
 Not so many bikes in this portfolio but WOW! That was bice to watch!
  • 1 0
 Awsome pics







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