2016 French Enduro Series Round 5, Samoens - Day 3
Race day here at the final round of the French Enduro Series, we’re here in Samoens in the heart of Savoie, France. Today was a completely different day in terms of trails, the trails that were used were old trails that were well ridden in, which meant they held up and kept their form (due to the rainy weather before the weekend). The trails today were long and hard, starting at 2100m. We spoke with a few riders, and the final stage was their favourite of the entire weekend. The format of the racing for the Sunday was two laps, one practice of the two stages and then the same for racing.
The riding this weekend showed a true test of riders, from the mud, and wet conditions all the way through to long rocky flat out trails. Elliot Trabac took the win today, along with the overall. Clement Benoit put in a solid result and finished in 2nd place. Irenee Menjou came close behind, if he finished 1-second faster today he would’ve taken the series overall.
Dashing through the trees on the lower part of stage five.
This part of stage four was like a big pumptrack.
Stunning views out from the top of the mountain.
Baptiste Gaillot makes a few changes to his bike first thing in the morning.
Breakfast in the carpark. On the right, Chris Kilmurray the coach of a few of the top riders in the EWS and DH WC, was enjoying how he stood against a few racers here.
We're here in Savoie, I was correct for speaking about its French heritage, which is incorrect. Savoie only became part of France about 150 years ago, but also became part of Switzerland and Italy. Throughout the mountains, you see graffiti like this, 'Savoie Libre' which means Free Savoie.
Back up the gondola to the top of the mountain.
At these races there's a friendly vibe, all the riders are friends and hang out together. At the top of the mountain, the riders spoke about yesterday's riding, and also what today might hold.
Morgane Jonnier.
1st and 2nd after day one, Elliot Trabac and Clement Benoit.
The top of the mountain just drops away, and snakes through some of the only man-made sections of the track.
Axelle Murigneux dropping into the first stage of the day.
Chris Kilmurray.
This lake was crystal clear and totally still.
Alex Balaud clearing the course.
Nina Mezcua-Jensen.
A quick break at the top of the mountain after the first two practice runs, before the racing begins.
And dropping back in, midway down the first stage is like a rooty pumptrack.
Clement Benoit, put in an amazing result today and finished in 2nd place.
Baptiste Gaillot, finished in 5th position but was also the fastest on the final stage.
Nico Quere finished in 4th place.
The winner, Elliot Trabac. He was faster by 40 seconds this weekend, and also took the overall.
And your female champion, Morgane Jonnier.
A bike graveyard, as riders ditched their bikes and congratulated each other and headed straight for the food tent.
Viewing helmet cams, check this out!
Irenee Menjou was the series leader at the start of the weekend. He had a big crash on the first stage of the weekend which left him playing catch up for the rest of the weekend. Here he is in his home for the weekend.
Clement Benoit was over the moon with his result.
Baptiste Gaillot.
Morgane Jonnier, winner.
Elliot Trabac, fastest man of the weekend.
Men's
1st: Elliot Trabac
2nd: Clement Beniot
3rd: Irenee Menjou
Women's
1st: Morgane Jonnier
2nd: Axelle Murigneux
3rd: Julie Duvert
Nico Quere and his winnings. That's all for the French Enduro Series for this year, except the Enduro World Series stop. The series here is over now though, see you next year!
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3 Comments
- 6 1
rrolly
(Aug 8, 2016 at 7:35)
what are those drone looking things on the lake???
- 2 1
jeremiahwas
(Aug 8, 2016 at 10:41)
A mountain bike photographer’s lens can’t last too long. Great first pic!
- 2 1
jheene
(Aug 8, 2016 at 6:18)
@bwinder That lead image is gangbusters! Nice work as always. Cheers!
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