Race Day One: EWS 2016 Round One - Chile

Mar 26, 2016 at 18:30
by Matt Wragg  
Valdivia. Chile. Photo by Matt Wragg.


DUST AND SMOKE




WORDS AND PHOTOS: MATT WRAGG AND DAVE TRUMPORE






It was a pretty surreal start to the Enduro World Series season this morning. Over night there were wild fires on Corral, teams staying across the water reported seeing 200ft flames and exploding propane tanks late Friday night. When we arrived this morning the hills above the town were still burning and a state of emergency had been declared. Luckily for the racing the fire did not effect the hills where racing was set to happen today, so aside from the ferry being fuller than usual with dozens of firefighters crammed on board too, it was more or less straight down to business.



A brief moment of worry set in Friday night as the hillside above Corral caught fire. Luckily is stayed on the opposite hill to the race venue despite burning all through the night.
So yeah, the fire on Friday night...

When your commute to work starts like this you know you are in for an adventurous day.
When your commute to work starts like this, you know you are in for an adventurous day.

The Ibis boys head into town for game day part one.
The Ibis boys head into town for game day part one.

Race Day One EWS 2016 Round One - Chile

Race Day One EWS 2016 Round One - Chile
Valdivia. Chile. Photo by Matt Wragg.

Valdivia. Chile. Photo by Matt Wragg.

Each rider has their own routine as race time gets near - whether it is some solitary reflection or watching the GoPro footage with your mates one more time.

Sadly Andreane Nadeau will be sitting out these first two rounds after breaking a bone n her hand on Thursday.
Sadly, Andreane Nadeau will be sitting out these first two rounds after breaking a bone in her hand on Thursday.

Martin Maes gets a pre race massage to help liner up the body after 2 hard days of training.
Martin Maes gets a pre race massage to help limber up the body after two hard days of training.

The reigning champ s ride ready to shred the dust in Corral.
The reigning champ's ride ready to shred the dust in Corral.

Justin Leov found a nice surprise in his bag this morning - a note from his family.
Justin Leov found a nice surprise in his bag this morning - a note from his family.

Favourite in the women s race Cecile Ravanel takes to the stage for her deaparture.
Favourite in the women's race, Cecile Ravanel takes to the stage for her departure.

Anita Gehrig looked on fine form on stage two this afternoon and sits in an impressive fifth this evening.
Anita Gehrig looked on fine form on stage two this afternoon and sits in an impressive fifth this evening.

19 year Martin Maes seems to be riding a bit more steady this year tempering his usual full aggression and it seems to be working out. Second place and 8 seconds behind Richie Rude.
19 year Martin Maes seems to be riding a bit more steady this year, tempering his usual full aggression and it seems to be working out. Second place and 8 seconds behind Richie Rude.

Anneke Beerten was looking fast all day just holding off Isabeau Courdurier to hold onto second this evening.
Anneke Beerten was looking fast all day, just holding off Isabeau Courdurier to hold onto second this evening.

Jesse Melamed had a rough one on stage 3 taking out the timing after getting loose on the finishline step down.
Jesse Melamed had a rough one on stage 3, taking out the timing after getting loose on the finishline step down.

After stage one riders passed back through the pits with just enough to time to stop for a second grab a bite to eat and if you are lucky enough to have someone as talented as Canyon s Larry working on your bike hand it over for a quick tune up.
After stage one riders passed back through the pits with just enough to time to stop for a second, grab a bite to eat and, if you are lucky enough to have someone as talented as Canyon's Larry working on your bike, hand it over for a quick tune up.

Innes Thoma did not log in her timing chip at the end of the day so we will not have an official placing for her until tomorrow morning. We are told she will not receive any penalty for the mistake.
Ines Thoma did not log in her timing chip at the end of the day so we will not have an official placing for her until tomorrow morning. We are told she will not receive any penalty for the mistake.

How hot and dusty was it today... This hot and dusty.
How hot and dusty was it today... This hot and dusty.

He may have turned 40 earlier this year but the ten-time world champion Nico Vouilloz is showing no signs of slowing down as he holds onto third this evening just 10 seconds off the lead.
He may have turned 40 earlier this year, but the ten-time world champion, Nico Vouilloz is showing no signs of slowing down.

Newcomer to the Rocly Mountain team Seb Claquin is sitting in control of the junior field this evening with two stages wins to his name today.
Newcomer to the Rocly Mountain team, Seb Claquin, is sitting in control of the junior field this evening with two stage wins to his name today.

Francois Bailly-Maitre was on the ragged edge today and a ninth this evening is a solid start t his year.
Francois Bailly-Maitre was on the ragged edge today and a ninth this evening is a solid start this year.

Katy Winton was looking fast all day aboard her new Trek and the new team is clearly paying off as she found herself within 6 seconds of the top 5 today.
Katy Winton was looking fast all day aboard her new Trek and the new team is clearly paying off as she found herself within 6 seconds of the top five today.

Rae Morrison is right on the pace she rounded out 2015 with and is sitting in 4th after day one.
Rae Morrison is right on the pace she rounded out 2015 with and is sitting in 4th after day one.

Isabeau Courdurier has started her 2016 season on stronger form than she did in 2015 holding third this evening and pushing Anneke hard for the second spot just 0.7 behind as things stand.
Isabeau Courdurier has started her 2016 season on stronger form than she did in 2015, holding third this evening and pushing Anneke hard for the second spot, just 0.7 behind as things stand.

Jared Graves had a rough start to the day blowing through the tape on stage 1 but would rally back with two top 5 s in later in the day and is sitting 8th overall after day one.
Jared Graves had a rough start to the day blowing through the tape on stage 1, but would rally back with two top fives in later in the day and is sitting 8th overall after day one.

With the way ahead of her clear in the women s field Cecile Ravanel was racing today was laser focus one goal the world championship title. A 24 second gap is not a bad start in that hunt.
With the way ahead of her clear in the women's field, Cecile Ravanel was racing today was laser focus one goal: the world championship title. A 24 second gap is not a bad start in that hunt.

Yoann Barelli was on stunning form on stage one today even if Jerome Clementz pipped him to the post for the win on the first stage.
Yoann Barelli was on stunning form on stage one today, even if Jerome Clementz pipped him to the post for the win on the first stage.

Nico Vouilloz pinned as always and sitting nicely in 3rd.
Nico Vouilloz pinned as always and sitting nicely in 3rd, 10 seconds off the lead.

Cornering and carrying speed are Richie Rude s specialties and he made sure to exploit them here today in Corral. Two stage wins mean the defending champ goes into day two with an 8 second lead.
Cornering and carrying speed are Richie Rude's specialties and he made sure to exploit them here today in Corral. Two stage wins mean the defending champ goes into day two with an 8 second lead.

Rainbow stripes seem to follow Richie Rude wherever he goes these days.
Rainbow stripes seem to follow Richie Rude wherever he goes these days.

10th place and a Happy 30th Birthday for Josh Carlson.
10th place and a Happy 30th Birthday for Josh Carlson.

This evening it was back onto the boats once more giving the riders chance to reflect on what happened today.
This evening it was back onto the boats once more, giving the riders chance to reflect on what happened today.


Author Info:
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Member since Oct 29, 2006
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73 Comments
  • 104 1
 that "hot and dusty" picture. wow
  • 14 0
 Agreed! This coverage is great! These athletes are amazing.
  • 5 0
 That's Teal Stetson-Lee!
  • 2 0
 Is this a 2 day race?
  • 2 0
 Yes
  • 4 0
 I reckon she must have taken a spill.
  • 3 0
 I can taste the dust in that pic
  • 5 1
 I think she forgot to put on her goggles.
  • 58 0
 Will anyone else in this field be as fast as Nico when they're 40?

The guy is something else.
  • 21 3
 You know what's something else? That landmine that went off mid-berm on Francois Bailly-Maitre!! Good lord and ski racers are worried about drones falling on their heads... whimps.
  • 3 5
 @scott-townes - what happened?
  • 4 1
 BOOM.
  • 3 6
 what? a landmine went off ??? come on scott-townes fill us in
  • 15 0
 C'mon guys - take a look at the photo of Bailly-Maitre. It's a joke. His roost looks, uh, explosive. The joke always loses it's LOL-ness when you have to explain...
  • 4 0
 He is like Noriaki Kassai of ski jumping - 40YO and still winning podiumsSmile these sports are sooooooo similar;]
  • 8 2
 I think Cody Kelley wins that corner: www.mtb-mag.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/325A9556.jpg
  • 2 0
 Yea go Nico! Insane being that close to Rude, the current world champ and almost half his age. Mucho respecto!
  • 19 2
 Yeah Richie! Unbelievable riding from the man-child! Hmmm, he turns 21 this year. we may have to stop referring to him in that way.
  • 11 0
 The guy in second is only 19 years old...
  • 2 0
 hulk smash corner...
  • 1 0
 Yea, it's not like Downhill where youngsters are repeatedly schooled by 30+ year olds... now, where was I getting with this? Make a few kids angry and old guys feel better abut themselves? Big Grin
  • 16 0
 I want to go ride my bike in Chile
  • 6 0
 you are more than welcome to come ride here in chile
  • 13 0
 MATT AND DAVE! Great photos guys! You guys really did a great job to bring the action and feeling of this race... You all make us wish we were there in Chile with you!
  • 4 0
 Absolutely stellar photos. Matt really killed it with his race/action shots. Some of the best race coverage photos I've seen.
  • 11 1
 When I see the name Matt Wragg at the top of the article I know its going to be quality. Brilliant work yet again.
  • 10 0
 Yess Martin!!
  • 4 1
 GT bikes are looking good for 2016
  • 7 2
 I've had foliage pull my finger off a brake lever in the past, and had thorns embedded in my knuckles for weeks after a race. I think Nico's guards are a great idea.
  • 4 1
 Wouldn't have even noticed if you didn't say something!
  • 1 1
 They actually look pretty good as well. Nice to see tried and true moto parts make their way over to MTB.
  • 1 0
 Ha I ride through gorse her in NZ and was like "man gotta get some of those" when i saw them in the pic.
  • 5 0
 I'm still curious as to why GT's men are all fox/shimano/schwalbe while the women are all rockshox/SRAM/Vitoria.
  • 1 0
 I think that's only anneke who keep personnal contract with Sram... I think that Martin Maes for exemple have SMITH personnal googles sponsor Wink
  • 2 0
 Great photos and coverage. the photos really make it come alive, the closeup of the rider's face with full helemt and grit covered face was my favorite.
  • 4 0
 Rae Morrison in 4th YEOW!
  • 4 0
 People might bag enduro but these pics make me want to give it a go..
  • 4 1
 Hot n dusty, what a great pic!
  • 2 0
 Which vittoria tire does Anneke have on the front? Doesn't look like anything listed on their website.
  • 3 0
 According Vital she rides either:
Vittoria Goma 2.4 front tire and E-Goma 2.4 rear tire
or
Vittoria Prototype front tire and Morsa 2.3 rear tire

Looking at the importance of tires, I guess she could ride a different prototype every race weekend if needed Wink
  • 1 0
 Cool, thanks.
  • 2 0
 would love to see Rude do a season of DH again, he would definitely be up there.
  • 2 1
 Somebody must be throwing grenades at Francois Bailly-Maitre. That roost is ridiculous.
  • 7 5
 What's with Nico's roost guards , it's not a Moto !
  • 6 0
 look at his wrists he has wrist braces on , he may use them for added protection for injured hands
  • 2 1
 I need some of those. You know, for riding brushy backcountry trails, clearly.
  • 5 2
 My theory is that Nico uses those for trolling, same with ooenly stating that he uses E-Bike for training. Just to unsettle a few blokes out there on the internetz who need an good old kick in the face Big Grin
  • 3 1
 You can find it there:
avs-racing.com/index.php/en/store/hand-guard-kit
South of France bushes have a lot of thorns
  • 1 0
 Barkbusters
  • 3 1
 Those spiky bushes with the yellow flowers completely justify the use of roost guards, as they can trigger an allergic reaction.
  • 2 0
 Nico just promotes product of a friend of his
  • 5 0
 You are all way off. They are actually little aero wings for added downforce. Nico has always been more of a "wheels on the ground" style rider, and was always pushing new tech in his dh days. This is just the natural progression of those tendencies.
  • 1 0
 Anyone know anything of Rachel Throop? I thought she was racing the full EWS calendar this year...
  • 1 0
 Went over the bars sadly, out with a sprained wrist
  • 1 0
 Thanks, that's a bummer.
  • 1 0
 How come there isn't many nomads or bronsons about, do Santa Cruz have an enduro team ?
  • 2 0
 Official Santa Cruz SRAM team has Iago and Mark Scott racing...Cedric also on sc but his own team and then there isAllan Cooke aka bmx legend ...sure there is more, those are the one I can name off the top of my head
  • 2 0
 They were all on Hightower for this race.
  • 1 0
 Cheers
  • 1 0
 I'm interested by the product that Nico vouilloz wear on his wrist. (2 wrist explode for me Big Grin ) does someone know?
  • 1 0
 That Yeti jersey might be the ugliest piece of kit I've ever seen. Hope that won't be an all year thing.
  • 1 0
 Graves and Keene.....come on bro...
  • 1 0
 holy shit, richie...!!! hulk SMASH corner
  • 1 0
 how is Rude boy so fast with them pinner little bars?
  • 1 0
 Is that a scratch on the head tube on Richie bike caused by the fork?
  • 2 1
 mad pix!
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