Enduro World Series Round One: Punta Ala, Prologue

May 18, 2013 at 12:53
by Matt Wragg  
It turns out I was wrong yesterday about the number of world champions here racing at Punta Ala this weekend. When you start counting junior world champions, there are people like Sam Blenkinsop, Loic Bruni, Cedric Gracia and Anais Pajot. And Balz Weber pointed out that he was under-23 XC champion. One thing that also stands out is that most of those names are French. For one country with a fairly average-sized population they have produced a hell of a lot of champions. In all, the count is standing at 15 or 16. The exact number doesn't matter too much, what matters is the level of the field here and it's a nice way of demonstrating it, it also misses out riders like Jerome Clementz, Nico Lau and Remy Absalon who have made their careers racing outside the UCI structures. More French names. There's a theme there...

As with all Superenduro races, Saturday is prologue day. For the most part, the fast riders stay away from the courses today, to take some time to rest and relax before the big show. Riders' briefing was at 2pm, then the racing started at 5.

photo
This morning was a time to get the bikes just right and ready for racing. Claudio puts the finishing touches to Vittorio Gambirasio s GT Force LE while Andrea Bruno s mechanic preps his covert.
  This morning was a time to get the bikes just right and ready for racing. Claudio puts the finishing touches to Vittorio Gambirasio's GT Force LE, while Andrea Bruno's mechanic preps his covert.

Bike Magic s James McKnight proudly shows us how swollen his leg infection was a few weeks ago... He s not sure how it s going to fare under sweaty kneepads tomorrow but things like that are to be worried about after race day.
  Bike Magic's James McKnight proudly shows us how swollen his leg infection was a few weeks ago... He's not sure how it's going to fare under sweaty kneepads tomorrow, but things like that are to be worried about after race day.

For the riders briefing Enrico displayed his talent for languages giving the riders information in Italian English and French. As there were many riders here who hadn t competed in a Superenduro before he took everyone through all the main rules. Things like needing to wear a helmet at all times protective gear being mandatory on the stages and reaching your starts and checkpoints on time to avoid penalties. And no lycra. Skinsuits are banned here in Italy.
  For the riders briefing, Enrico displayed his talent for languages, giving the riders information in Italian, English and French. As there were many riders here who hadn't competed in a Superenduro before, he took everyone through all the main rules. Things like needing to wear a helmet at all times, protective gear being mandatory on the stages and reaching your starts and checkpoints on time to avoid penalties. And no lycra. Skinsuits are banned here in Italy.

A couple of legends chatting after the riders briefing Peaty and Lopes. It s been a good few years since these two raced against each other.
  A couple of legends chatting after the riders' briefing, Peaty and Lopes. It's been a good few years since these two raced against each other.

For the prologue riders headed ten kilometres down the road to the neighbouring town of Castiglione della Pescaia. The prologues at Superenduro races are additions designed to bring the racing to the people in the local area this weekend it is a forty-second sprint down through the streets of the town.
  For the prologue, riders headed ten kilometres down the road to the neighbouring town of Castiglione della Pescaia. The prologues at Superenduro races are additions designed to bring the racing to the people in the local area, this weekend it is a forty-second sprint down through the streets of the town.

The top part of the course is through the narrow streets of the old fortress the town is built around.
  The top part of the course is through the narrow streets of the old fortress the town is built around.

Nico Lau took to the steps as the first fat drops of rain landed on the ground...
  Nico Lau took to the steps as the first, fat drops of rain landed on the ground...

As the rain came down properly people huddled under the medieval arches for shelter and waited for it to pass.
  As the rain came down properly, people huddled under the medieval arches for shelter and waited for it to pass.

Duncan Riffle keeping it steady in the slick conditions.
  Duncan Riffle keeping it steady in the slick conditions.

While the infrastructure for the teams isn t on a World Cup scale here Dan Atherton is going up a step with his preparations bringing his trainer Alan Milway out here with him.
  While the infrastructure for the teams isn't on a World Cup scale here, Dan Atherton is going up a step with his preparations, bringing his trainer, Alan Milway, out here with him.

This isn t exactly the seaside view anybody had been hoping for here... Those are definitely umbrellas not parasols.
  This isn't exactly the seaside view anybody had been hoping for here... Those are definitely umbrellas, not parasols.

As the conditions changed after his practice run Jerome Clementz nipped up to the top of the course to find out what it had done to the ground.
  As the conditions changed after his practice run, Jerome Clementz nipped up to the top of the course to find out what it had done to the ground.

Just as the prologue started the rain came in again making the streets slick and treacherous.
  Just as the prologue started, the rain came in again, making the streets slick and treacherous.

It must have been a long walk down through the crowd for those who flatted. Knowing that this counts towards tomorrow and every second you re losing ground... Painful stuff.
  It must have been a long walk down through the crowd for those who flatted. Knowing that this counts towards tomorrow and every second you're losing ground... Painful stuff.

Tracy Moseley is definitely one of the women people will be watching tomorrow but this evening she could only manage behind Emmeline Ragot and inevitably Anne-Caroline Chausson.
  Tracy Moseley is definitely one of the women people will be watching tomorrow, but this evening she could only manage behind Emmeline Ragot and, inevitably, Anne-Caroline Chausson.

Theo Galy held his own today with a respectable 18th
  Theo Galy held his own today, with a respectable 18th,

Loic Bruni keeping it low and clean over the wooden feature.
  Loic Bruni, keeping it low and clean over the wooden feature.

Nico Quere. While most riders were keeping it fairly conservative on the wooden feature Nico Quere decided to throttle it and huck to flat well beyond the landing. Broap as the French say.
  While most riders were keeping it fairly conservative on the wooden feature, Nico Quere decided to throttle it and huck to flat, well beyond the landing. Broap, as the French say.

Fabien Barel. Second for Fab tonight.
  Second for Fab tonight.

The old 4X Jared Graves would have been ripping that floor up. The new enduro-weight Graves was merely on his way to a safe steady fifth place.
  The old 4X Jared Graves would have been ripping that floor up. The new enduro-weight Graves was merely on his way to a safe, steady fifth place.

Cedric Gracia smashed his way to a sold third tonight. Just two and a half seconds separate first-placed Alex Cure and twentieth-placed Davide Sottocornola but with a field like this that could make a real difference tomorrow when the real racing starts.
  Cedric Gracia smashed his way to a sold third tonight. Just two and a half seconds separate first-placed Alex Cure and twentieth-placed Davide Sottocornola, but with a field like this, that could make a real difference tomorrow when the real racing starts.

The finish area was crowded as the fast guys waiting around to find out who had won.
  The finish area was crowded as the fast guys waiting around to find out who had won.

After the prologue finished riders headed off for food and an early night as tomorrow is going to be a tough day. There s little drinking and partying the night before an enduro race.
  After the prologue finished, riders headed off for food and an early night as tomorrow is going to be a tough day. There's little drinking and partying the night before an enduro race.

www.superenduromtb.com

Author Info:
mattwragg avatar

Member since Oct 29, 2006
753 articles

51 Comments
  • 36 2
 Sucks about the rain, hopefully it'll clear for tomorrow but... CEDRIC! He's destroying it! Seems like he hasn't missed a step.
  • 5 0
 Agreed - exceptional recovery!
  • 4 1
 Absolutely buzzing for tomorrow. Nico Lau for the win I reckon. Or will CG show us how much of a legend he is?!
  • 2 0
 I believe that Cedric is even more aggressive after his injury than before. Really happy he is performing so well.
  • 1 0
 Guess who got 5th place, Nicolas. No, actually three Nicolas's!
  • 2 0
 Did Martin Maes finish 4th? Just wondering, I think I heard that in a video but the guy was speaking english with a terrible italian accent...
  • 14 0
 Incredible the amount of downhill names that are dabbing their toes into the enduro arena.
  • 6 0
 So refreshing to read so many positive comments for a change on PB! I'm on the edge of my saddle waiting for tomorrows results!
  • 6 0
 and another chapter in bike history begins. long live enduro!!!
  • 9 4
 I want dan atherton to do Well, but it seems even in enduro he doesn't stand out above others
  • 10 1
 He is certainly serious about it all.... maybe a bit to serious
  • 23 12
 He's a moaning, spoilt, throw his toys out of the pram arsehole who deserves to be knocked back a peg or two. A proper unt if ever there was one
  • 13 1
 I'd be interested to know some of the reasons you have to form such an opinion of him. Please enlighten us.
  • 3 8
flag bbk7 (May 18, 2013 at 16:17) (Below Threshold)
 Athertons usually come off pretty arrogant in their interview in my opinion. But I like them coz they are quick as fuck
  • 9 1
 how quick do you f*ck?
  • 1 4
 He just takes it all very seriously. He may well relax once he has proved himself. I think a lot of the top guys are more relaxed because they already know that they are at the top. Or maybe he is just a no fun roadie that got into mtb by mistake.
  • 15 1
 He broke his neck? How many pegs would you like to knock him down by? Good luck to the bloke I say, never come across as a "spoilt a*shole" to me
  • 8 1
 Give the man a chance! They've only done one short stage and he was only 2 seconds off the top time
  • 2 3
 don't see how you can call dan a spoilt arsehole; have you ever met him? yes on race days he takes it very seriously but then it's his job.
yes he had said a uk gravity enduro stage was a bog and its not what people want to race or good for the image of the sport, but how can you disagree with that?
he's a top bloke who just wants to ride a bike.
  • 3 1
 Takes it too seriously? He's a professional and this is a serious discipline. Didn't he win the Finale Ligure last year? Already proven himself I'd say.
  • 1 2
 Calm down. I'm sure he is a nice bloke. What I said was meant as a joke. However I don't think he gives two fucks either way.
  • 5 0
 Martin Maes 3th, same time as Gracia. Amazing.
  • 5 0
 I'm surprized he's hasn't been mentioned. He's a very good rider, and only 17-18 years old.
  • 1 0
 Is he still riding DH?
  • 5 0
 I though Maes is 16, or did I just make that up...
  • 3 0
 Yup, just turned 16.
  • 1 1
 That is Italian rider Vittorio Gambirasio;s GT Force LE.
Dan is riding the new proto 27.5
See here for some info:
www.superenduromtb.com/en/home-news/pro-2-punta-ala-gr-alex-cure-vince-il-prologo-di-castiglione-della-pescaia/#more-9551
  • 4 0
 enduro re-unites the young and old! true sport
  • 2 0
 This really is a special, one of a kind, one-time-only event. It's before the World Cups unusually late start this year, otherwise I doubt many World Cup DH guys would be there. And next year the UCI might not allow them to race non-UCI events, but we'll see. Anyways it's an awesome field and it's going to be a great race. Just wish we could watch it live.
  • 1 0
 Actually the UCI is here as well. We had one approving the wooden structure.
  • 2 1
 seeing the rider walking out with a flat...why would you not bring a tube and CO2 with you? it could fit in a wedge pack or even your pocket. be rolling again in five minutes. it baffles the mind really.
  • 3 0
 These preliminary Street races don't last that long. That's why you will never see anyone with a Tube and CO2.
  • 5 0
 I believe they wrote that the course was 40 seconds long?! Might as well ride out on that flat section though.
  • 3 0
 More pics of Anne-Caro please!!!!!!
  • 1 0
 Saw this video on dirttv why did lopes choose the 29er "because it's a brand new bike...we're trying to get in front of the camera as much as possible."
  • 3 0
 Stylin for the crowds!!! Nice
  • 2 0
 El loco C.G.is bad @ss good ride bro.
  • 2 0
 results? I wanna know how the power beard fared...
  • 1 0
 Looks like urban downhill!!! Enduro looks like the new standard.
  • 1 0
 It his nice to se a verey nice crowd out whatching
  • 2 0
 C'mon Greg Callaghan!
  • 1 0
 Where's the dirt, mud, and rocks? Did I miss something.
  • 1 0
 Strong from Quere! Go on fella
  • 1 1
 Those are huge coke cans!! Look at the third picture. Europe's got the goods.
  • 1 0
 Dayam! ACC > Peaty on day 1
  • 1 0
 good luck
  • 1 2
 Athy running a rockshox post?... surprised its not the Fox DOSS?
  • 4 0
 That's not Affy's bike.
  • 3 2
 And besides the reverb is better anyway .
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