When the race was last run in 2014 it was a close contender for race of the year, and with that magic blend of mind-blowing views and even better trails that made it so popular being unchanged for the 2016 edition, we knew we were in for an incredible event right from the get go. While the race stats certainly look imposing with over 4000 meters of total descending over six stages, it is the almost perfect quality of the trails that makes all the difference. Yes, it will be long and rough, but talking to the riders this evening it is clear that they are loving the use of terrain here on a massive mountain that surely is going to be a true test of both body and bike.

The long stages and the steep terrain will be hard going, and whoever wins here will need to be a complete all-round racer and mountain biker, as any weakness will be savagely exploited on these high alpine slopes. At a time when the World Cup circuit is becoming ever more TV-focused there is an argument that some of the heart and soul of true mountain biking terrain is being lost, and it is ever-rarer to to see loam or fresh-cut tracks being raced at the top level. Here in La Thuile they are serving them up for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Enduro may still be seen as a fad in some quarters, but it is plain to see that as the original marketing hype has died down we are left with a sport that is maybe the closest race format to the rough and raw type of riding that originally lead many of us to fall in love with mountain biking. Here in Thuile they have dished up a wonderful reminder of what made enduro so successful in the first place, and why its future is looking oh-so-bright.


EWS Round 4 La Thuile Italy - Practice
EWS Round 4 La Thuile Italy - Practice

Things were a bit frosty to kick off practice on Thursday morning.
Things were a bit frosty to kick off practice on Thursday morning.

Rene Wildhaber weaving his way up to the top of stage one.
Weaving up to the top of stage one. On race day riders won't be able to shuttle and will have to make the 1000m climb under their own power... First thing in the morning.

The start of stage one is over 2 300m up - the tiny village below is La Thuile itself where the stage ends - that s over 900m of vertical drop in one stage.
The start of stage one is over 2,300m up - the tiny village below is La Thuile itself where the stage ends - that's over 900m of vertical drop in one stage.

Lining up for the first practice runs of the day.
Lining up for the first practice runs of the day.

It s been a bit cold the past few days.
It's been a bit cold the past few days.

Fabien Barel heads up to Stage 4 on a brisk La Thuile morning.
Fabien Barel heads up to Stage 4 on a brisk La Thuile morning.

Greg Callaghan throws the horns on the last few hundred feet of transfer to stage one.
Greg Callaghan throws the horns on the last few hundred feet of transfer to stage one.

Greg Callaghan comes into this weekend looking to extend his winning streak away from his home shores and here onto the mainland. With Trans-Provence then a week in Pila in the bag he has been putting in the laps to get used to riding the bigger mountains once more.
Greg Callaghan comes into this weekend looking to extend his winning streak away from his home shores and here onto the mainland. With Trans-Provence then a week in Pila in the bag he has been putting in the laps to get used to riding the bigger mountains once more.

The wheels may be a little bigger but Nico Lau s style on a bike doesn t change - will his momentum from Trans-Provence translate into a result this weekend
The wheels may be a little bigger, but Nico Lau's style on a bike doesn't change - will his momentum from Trans-Provence translate into a result this weekend?

Certainly La Thuile in 2014 was a high point of Damien Oton s career it remains his sole EWS victory. After a difficult 2015 is this the race where he finds that form again
Certainly La Thuile in 2014 was a high point of Damien Oton's career; it remains his sole EWS victory. After a difficult 2015, is this the race where he finds that form again?

Thomas Lapeyrie always makes it look easy on track.
Thomas Lapeyrie always makes it look easy on track.

Jerome Clementz is looking sharp this weekend.
Jerome Clementz is looking sharp this weekend.

Issabeau Cordurier beating the storm down Stage 2.
Issabeau Cordurier beating the storm down Stage 2.

Chris Johnson is back racing EWS for the first time this year.
Chris Johnston is back racing EWS for the first time this year.

According to riders watching Richie Rude was charging through the head of stage three way faster than anyone else on track. We re not going to bet against him this weekend that is for sure.
According to riders watching, Richie Rude is charging through many of stages way faster than anyone else. We're not going to bet against him this weekend, that is for sure.

If you re only on one wheel you get less wet right Matti tests this theory.
If you're only on one wheel you get less wet, right? Matti Lehikoinen tests this theory.

Sometimes you get it wrong...
Sometimes you get it wrong...

Winner of last week s Mega Avalanche race Remy Abalone is definitely strong enough and fit enough for the massive stages here in La Thuile.
Winner of last week's Mega Avalanche race, Remy Absalon is definitely strong enough and fit enough for the massive stages here in La Thuile.

Miranda Miller putting her DH skills to good use on the super long stages here in La Thuile.
Miranda Miller putting her DH skills to good use on the super long stages here in La Thuile.

Rene Wildhaber is maybe the most experienced big mountain racer in the field this weekend although Abaslon and Clementz would probably stake claims to that title too . It was here in La Thuile two years ago where he really started moving towards the front of the field leading the overnight standings last time the circuit came here. After a rocky 2015 this could be just the race to get him back in contention.
Rene Wildhaber is maybe the most experienced big mountain racer in the field this weekend (although Abaslon and Clementz would probably stake claims to that title too). It was here in La Thuile two years ago where he really started moving towards the front of the field, leading the overnight standings last time the circuit came here. After a rocky 2015, this could be just the race to get him back in contention.

What will Sam Hill do this weekend
What will Sam Hill do this weekend?

EWS Round 4 La Thuile Italy - Practice
Theo Galy is looking to build on the momentum from his performances in Argentina and Ireland

EWS Round 4 La Thuile Italy - Practice
Francois Bailly-Maitre smashing rocks on Stage 5.

Birthday boy Troy Brosnan is out here just for fun but he certainly isn t going slow.
Birthday boy, Troy Brosnan is out here just for fun, but he certainly isn't going slow.

Sam Blenkinsop was on the podium in Argentina and the long DH stages of La Thuile should play right into his hand once again.
Sam Blenkinsop was on the podium in Argentina and the long DH stages of La Thuile should play right into his hand once again.

Jared Graves putting those big wheels to use through the boulder field at the top of Stage 3.
Jared Graves putting those big wheels to use through the boulder field at the top of Stage 3.

Andreanne Lanthier-Nadeau had a nightmare start to the season breaking her wrist in the first day of training in Chile. This weekend she is looking to make her debut as a full member of the Rocky Mountain Urge team.
Andreanne Lanthier-Nadeau had a nightmare start to the season, breaking her wrist on the first day of training in Chile. This weekend she is looking to make her debut as a full member of the Rocky Mountain/Urge team.

Fresh of her Trans-Provence victory Anita Gehrig will surely be on the hunt for a podium spot this weekend.
Fresh off her Trans-Provence victory, Anita Gehrig will surely be on the hunt for a podium spot this weekend.

Seb Claquin is the rider to beat in the under-21 category right now and he looks composed and comfortable here in the high alps.
Seb Claquin is the rider to beat in the under-21 category right now and he looks composed and comfortable here in the high alps.

Cecile Ravenel is definitely the woman to beat this weekend - only Tracy Moseley has managed to best her so far this season and although Tracy planned to race this weekend a couple of cracked ribs have forced her to the sidelines this weekend.
Cecile Ravenel is definitely the woman to beat this weekend - only Tracy Moseley has managed to best her so far this season, and although Tracy planned to race this weekend, a couple of cracked ribs have forced her to the sidelines.

Eddie Masters getting the power down.
Eddie Masters getting the power down.

Rocky Mountain product manager Ken was training on an unmarked carbon frame - it certainly looks more bike than the Altitudes the Rocky team race on...
Rocky Mountain product manager, Ken Perras, was training on an unmarked carbon frame - it certainly looks like more bike than the Altitudes the Rocky team race on...

The start of stage four definitely feels quite far out there.
The start of stage four definitely feels quite far out there.

Ines Thoma is certainly one of the main podium contendors in the women s field this weekend.
Ines Thoma is certainly one of the main podium contenders in the women's field this weekend.

While Fabien Barel insists he hasn t been training he has looked like a freight train on track so there is no question that the speed is there. He says that without the high intensity sprint training read painful that the top athletes do he reckons he will struggle to hold the pace. Still we re not going to rule him out as a contender for the win or at least a stage victory this weekend.
While Fabien Barel insists he hasn't been training, he has looked like a freight train on track, so there is no question that the speed is there. He says that without the high intensity sprint training (read: painful) that the top athletes do he reckons he will struggle to hold the pace. Still, we're not going to rule him out as a contender for the win, or at least a stage victory this weekend.

Trying not to startle the locals whiles having a a blast on stage two.
Trying not to startle the locals whiles having a blast on stage two.

Nico Lau drops into stage one while driving winds and snow try hard to slow him down.
Nico Lau drops into stage one while driving winds and snow try hard to slow him down.

Just a casual stream crossing in front of a house made entirely of stones.
Just a casual stream crossing in front of a house made entirely of stones.

The drift master all set to go blow up some fine Italian vintage loam.
The drift master all set to go blow up some fine Italian vintage loam.

Iago Garay brings the style once again.
Iago Garay brings the style once again.

Nico Vouilloz was having no troubles in the steep loose loam.
Nico Vouilloz was having no troubles in the steep, loose loam.

Curtis Keene dropping in on the beautiful back country stage four.
Curtis Keene dropping in on the beautiful backcountry stage four.

All rocks fear Richie Rude.
All rocks fear Richie Rude.

Troy Brosnan has done some enduroing at home and claims he is using this round as training but we think the Aussie could do well here.
Troy Brosnan has done some enduro races at home and claims he is using this round as training, but we think the Aussie could do well here.

Rene Wildhaber getting well wild.
Rene Wildhaber getting, well, wild.

Being from Scotland Katie Winton doesn t mind the cold.
Being from Scotland, Katie Winton doesn't mind the cold.

Katie Winton is thrilled with her new Trek Remedy.
Katie Winton is thrilled with her new Trek Remedy.

Joe Nation through the roughen Stage 5.
Joe Nation through the rough Stage 5.

EWS Round 4 La Thuile Italy - Practice
Joe Barnes heading off into the distance on Stage 5.

Steep fast long and loose... This guy is loving it.
Steep, fast, long and loose... This guy is loving it.

Enrico laying down the evening sermon before the racing gets under way.
Enrico laying down the evening sermon before the racing gets under way.

Kinda looks like Enrico
Kinda looks like Enrico!

Our hearts go out to France.
Our hearts go out to France.


Author Info:
davetrumpore avatar

Member since Feb 26, 2008
269 articles

50 Comments
  • 39 0
 voullioz, barel, and hill? talk about a legends race. add graves back into the mix and a brosnan wildcard - going to be a good weekend.
  • 11 1
 .......Wildhaber too.
  • 5 2
 I can see Keene is going to leave specialized.
  • 9 0
 @chyu: then he can give his enduro frame to graves
  • 24 1
 PB keeps acknowledging Enduro is not a passing fad. My hope is that the EWS and other Enduro Series move to blind racing. To me it'll be super interesting to see how a guy like Brosnan fairs. Arguably and consistently one of the 5 fastest DH bikers on the planet but those guys run the same tracks year after year and lap the tracks continuously leading up to race day. However, the purist in me says the best mountain bikers are the guys that can run a track blind at speed and their skills allow them to deal with the obstacles as they come.
  • 5 3
 Enduro is huge! Just look at all the fans...
  • 5 2
 @jclnv: Sam Hill is going to school these fools.
  • 8 0
 Blind racing is a great concept, but anyone who has ridden a given trail before will have an advantage. It would probably work for as long as organizers could find new awesome places to ride with EWS level trails, but that might be hard. Training might become scouting possible locations for races or becoming familiar with locales where races are frequently held.
  • 5 1
 Organizing EWS as a blind racing event in is like building Noah's ark and filling it with animals - Why it would never work? Just fkng try it!
  • 6 2
 I disagree the best guys come out from running the track blind. Blind rewards luck, reflexes and risk taking. Having practise means luck and risk taking is reduced comparatively and skill comes further up.

Agree re pb trying their best to make it stay on the agenda.

@jclnv haha lol! I remember an article from the ews talking about his crowds and the pictures looked like a regional race in Australia... Uh wait "it's all about the trails and riders blah blah blah" . Maybe part of the outside is the anti climax at the end...."yes he's finished! Now give is a few minutes while we work out a winner... Hold your breath"...pffffffff balloon goes flat.
  • 2 4
 @WAKIdesigns: you fkng try it, organize a race, show EWS how it's done. maybe next season you take control of EWS. come on man, do it, i know you can, i have full confidence in you.
  • 5 0
 Blind racing is an idea that has no basis in reality. There will always be those riders who have some (perhaps extensive) local knowledge of terrain. Even if they don't know the exact courses until race day, they will still have a tactical advantage over outsiders and newcomers who have zero local knowledge.

A practice day is the only way to narrow the advantage that local knowledge would otherwise bring.

I raced the Eastern States Cup Killigton VT enduro totally "blind" (had never ridden any of the race tracks before). Missed a turn on stage two, and had to pull the brakes many times during other stages to confirm that I was still on track. Also flatted twice on the high speed rocky stage 5. With a little local knowledge, I'd have run a bit more air in the tires. Naturally I didn't have the best race results possible, but it was still the most enjoyable race experience I've ever had...
  • 1 0
 I can get behind what some of you are saying (locals will always have an advantage, blind racing encourages risk taking, etc.). All valid points and I am all for an even playing field. My point was I think it would make it more exciting/interesting. Risk taking is a part of riding hard and fast. So is going at an even keel speed and being consistently fast. And at this level luck has Fck all to do with anything, these guys have all the skill in the world on a bike and reacting to what the track throws at them is the ultimate skill on a bike - especially when they don't have a chance to run a section over and over.
  • 6 2
 To the people who are into riding blind: do you have any freaking clue how hard it is to complete an EWS race? 6 stages, often 5-10minute long on one day and few more on another, all in race mode. That is freaking hard enough for an advanced rider with access to lifts, while those guys often pedal few thousand feet a day. And you want to add another level of difficulty? Get a life. That apart from the fact that it is impossible to keep people from practicing, at least in Europe and North America. And skill is being brought up here, by us online trolls for whom it is obviously nothing more but some esoteric function of Jared Graves' soul that we mortals worship and are unworthy of achieving.

It's cool to speculate sht, but at the end of the day, if you bring up some higher non-existing values, you have to sit quiet and watch how big boys do it.
  • 2 0
 @WAKIdesigns: so why make the tracks impossibly difficult then? yes sure, it's speculative but why get your panties all in a knot over it? make a blind category. they have an e-bike category for F sakes in France and you go off about the "big boys" as if someone who would like to see some blind racing is asking for the moon. you ever ride a trail you've never ridden before and the people you're riding with have never ridden? seems like a pretty standard thing to do.
  • 1 0
 @southernrockyflow: blind racing is a fantastic idea and I liked the challenge of racing against the clock on unknown terrain. But to expect that all competitors show up blind is unrealistic that's all.
  • 1 0
 @mountaincross: as i conceded above, it is very difficult if not impossible - i don't disagree with you or WAKI on that point. and i'm really not articulating what I mean - i'm not really suggesting "blind" racing, but i'm more for no practice days immediately before racing. again, i acknowledge that gives unfair advantage to locals who know the trails to be raced on which is overall bad for competition. and i do recall some EWS events and/or other enduro series have had limited practice time. on one hand, practice allows riders to know the tracks and maybe adds an element of safety which i think is important. but what if they allowed practice up to 3 days before the race, then you're ordered to stay off the track? then there's this element that you haven't JUST ridden the trail. really it's just a thought. it's not like enduro needs to be more exciting for me. i just wonder how the sport could evolve. and for being a "keyboard warrior" here - isn't that what this forum is all about - to throw out hypotheticals and have a discussion/debate about things? and for the record, tracey moseley - the queen of enduro - has said she had enjoyed the "blind racing" events the most - maybe much like yourself @mountaincross
  • 3 0
 @southernrockyflow: blind racing events exist and are held in group of 30 people where theprize is two pints of PBR. Super cool. Just not a World format really...
  • 1 0
 If I recall correctly, the beginning of Richie Rude's domination was last year at Samoens- which did have limited practice days, no riding the course prior to race day, and he's not a local with local knowledge. I think I favor that format personally. Granted most of the top 10 in that race were Frenchies, but I think the strongest rider still won...
  • 12 1
 That photo of Monte Bianco though....
  • 2 0
 Bradford Washburn would be proud
  • 4 0
 RUDE LEADS AFTER THE FIRST 3 STAGES

Enduro World Series: La Thuile

MEN / UOMINI - Stage Results


Pos No. Name Team/Country Time Behind Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3
1st 1 Richard RUDE Yeti Fox Shox (USA) 26:54.40 8:52.85 (1st) 7:22.03 (1st) 10:39.52 (1st)
2nd 31 Samuel HILL Chain Reaction Cycles PayPal (AUS) 27:48.04 +0:53.64 9:07.96 (2nd) 7:27.44 (2nd) 11:12.64 (2nd)
3rd 20 Damien OTON Devinci Enduro Racing (FRA) 28:02.90 +1:08.50 9:17.01 (8th) 7:32.93 (4th) 11:12.96 (3rd)
4th 7 Nicolas LAU Cube Action Sports (FRA) 28:06.70 +1:12.30 9:14.83 (5th) 7:33.74 (6th) 11:18.13 (6th)
5th 4 Florian NICOLAI Rocky Mountain Urge BP (FRA) 28:07.69 +1:13.29 9:15.94 (7th) 7:29.64 (3rd) 11:22.11 (9th)
6th 32 Jesse MELAMED Rocky Mountain Urge BP (CAN) 28:19.01 +1:24.61 9:18.92 (10th) 7:34.08 (7th) 11:26.01 (15th)
7th 11 Francois BAILLY-MAITRE BMC Factory Trailcrew (FRA) 28:19.67 +1:25.27 9:21.58 (13th) 7:33.63 (5th) 11:24.46 (11th)
8th 15 Jared GRAVES Specialized Racing (AUS) 28:20.37 +1:25.97 9:32.31 (30th) 7:34.35 (8th) 11:13.71 (4th)
9th 23 Alexandre CURE Rocky Mountain Urge BP (FRA) 28:20.88 +1:26.48 9:14.43 (4th) 7:38.64 (13th) 11:27.81 (16th)
10th 28 Curtis KEENE Specialized Racing (USA) 28:25.08 +1:30.68 9:29.23 (23rd) 7:39.37 (15th) 11:16.48 (5th)
11th 22 Antonio FERREIRO (ESP) 28:27.72 +1:33.32 9:18.67 (9th) 7:37.36 (11th) 11:31.69 (18th)
12th 8 Joe BARNES Canyon Factory Enduro Team (GBR) 28:27.75 +1:33.35 9:21.32 (11th) 7:41.94 (19th) 11:24.49 (12th)
13th 30 Robin WALLNER Ibis Cycles Enduro Race (SWE) 28:28.30 +1:33.90 9:15.69 (6th) 7:43.04 (22nd) 11:29.57 (17th)
14th 12 Joshua CARLSON Giant Factory Off-Road Team (AUS) 28:28.78 +1:34.38 9:30.04 (24th) 7:35.59 (9th) 11:23.15 (10th)
15th 27 Samuel BLENKINSOP (NZL) 28:32.30 +1:37.90 9:27.75 (19th) 7:39.34 (14th) 11:25.21 (14th)
16th 41 Mckay VEZINA Giant Factory Off-Road Team (CAN) 28:37.89 +1:43.49 9:21.83 (14th) 7:41.44 (18th) 11:34.62 (24th)
17th 81 Troy BROSNAN Specialized (AUS) 28:39.68 +1:45.28 9:29.02 (21st) 7:37.43 (12th) 11:33.23 (20th)
18th 3 Jerome CLEMENTZ Cannondale (FRA) 28:39.89 +1:45.49 9:23.42 (15th) 7:42.18 (20th) 11:34.29 (23rd)
19th 19 Bryan REGNIER (FRA) 28:47.65 +1:53.25 9:30.96 (26th) 7:42.60 (21st) 11:34.09 (22nd)
20th 21 Theo GALY Devinci Enduro Racing (FRA) 28:49.65 +1:55.25 9:24.79 (16th) 7:47.15 (28th) 11:37.71 (28th)
  • 6 1
 Talk about photo epic.. beautiful work guys! Great shots.
  • 3 0
 Some riders like Rude or Hill don't seem to carry a bottle or a backpack, and I can't see some "shape" under their jersey either.

No water, no tools ?
  • 2 0
 Stunning scenery! What track stole Race of the Year from La Thuile?
Wish all the best to the riders competing this weekend!
  • 3 0
 If that isn't real mountain biking,I don't know what is. Awesome photos guys!
  • 1 0
 wouldn't be sad to have those mountains here ahah

ainda se ve dois portugueses nas fotos, provavelmente a prova do ews com mais até a data
  • 4 0
 So many screen savers.
  • 2 1
 Love that picture of Rude and Graves. Richie is sulking with his arms folded looking like a complete badass while graves looks more like a little kid enjoying the view
  • 9 1
 Or you mean arms folded trying to keep warm in the near freezing temperatures and wind on the lift...
  • 2 0
 @davetrump: Took an L to that one.
  • 1 0
 Killer pics, amazing place. And now whenever I see, or hear the name Remy Absalon, I'll think of my favorite shellfish! Great job!
  • 1 0
 Trek Slash models look the same - no update this year @trek bummer - looking forward to new rear shock options finally.
  • 1 0
 There's photos of a new slash floating around. 29'er, no full floater, straight downtube like the new Remedy.
  • 1 0
 @jmusuperman: can you pm me a link or screen shot I've been on the hunt without luck. Thanks.
  • 1 0
 @nicolai12:http://forums.mtbr.com/trek/2017-trek-slash-details-1017456.html
  • 1 0
 @charmingbob: woooow that's interesting. Thanks for the hookup! Looks like they did some transition testing...
  • 1 0
 I dont know the place, i dont know the logistics but a wc dh round here in the future?? Looks like a dream come true!
  • 2 0
 Top freaking notch fellers
  • 1 0
 The photo of Josh Lewis is photo of the year material!
  • 1 0
 which one do you mean? cant find one with loosedog
  • 1 0
 Someone give troy some shorts!
  • 1 0
 I'm sure Remy appreciates being called an Abalone.
  • 1 0
 are those moto-knuckle guards just for looks here...?
  • 1 0
 That photo of Dr Lewis getting buck wild in the mist is fiiiire
  • 1 0
 Rude leading after 2 stages with Sam Hill in Second







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