Superenduro PRO 4: Sauze D'Oulx, Friday Practice

Sep 5, 2014 at 9:30
by Matt Wragg  
When you talk of European enduro venues, Sauze D'Oulx surely ranks as one of the classics. Superenduro first rolled into town here seven years ago, there has been a race here every year since. It was here that the prestigious, if slightly sidelined in light of the EWS, Enduro of Nations was first held outside France back in 2011. For me personally, it was the first place I saw international enduro racing - I will always remember watching a talented, but then relatively unknown (at least compared to today), Frenchman called Jerome Clementz dominate the rest of the world here at the Enduro of Nations. So it's a fitting place to bring the 2014 Superenduro season to a close. What's more, after a wet, miserable summer in the Alps, it is looking like we are in line for an Indian Summer, as the weather forecast says sunshine and warmth are coming our way...

This is why Superenduro has been coming to Sauze for seven years now - the seemingly endless pine forests and the fast chairlifts to propel you up to the trails.
  This is why Superenduro has been coming to Sauze for seven years now - the seemingly endless pine forests and the fast chairlifts to propel you up to the trails.

The gypsies were here earlier and they have moved their camp this year. It s not far from the old spot but they have upgraded to one of the best views of the vallies from anywhere in town.
  The gypsies were here earlier and they have moved their camp this year. It's not far from the old spot, but they have upgraded to one of the best views of the vallies from anywhere in town.

Out of the start gates at the top of the Roccenere lift you are straight onto a crestline at 2 500m above sea level.
  Out of the start gates at the top of the Roccenere lift you are straight onto a crestline at 2,500m above sea level.

The Shucksmith brothers have made the trip over from the Uk for this race and were training wheel-to-wheel. They did well here in Sauze last year both being close to winning pace so it will be interersting to see how they get on as the pace of international enduro racing continues to rise.
  The Shucksmith brothers have made the trip over from the UK for this race and were training wheel-to-wheel. They did well here in Sauze last year, both being close to winning pace, so it will be interesting to see how they get on as the pace of international enduro racing continues to rise.

After a slightly slow start to the season Mary Moncorge found her form as the races went on and this weekend a strong ride could mean top three placing in the series.
  After a slightly slow start to the season, Mary Moncorge found her form as the races went on and this weekend a strong ride could mean top three placing in the series.

While the crests at the top of the course aren t the most challenging parts of the course they are always riders favourites as you feel so high up above the world.
  While the crests at the top of the course aren't the most challenging parts of the course, they are always riders' favourites as you feel so high up above the world.

With the clouds threatening rain all day some riders decided they would be better safe than sorry.
  With the clouds threatening rain all day, some riders decided they would be better safe than sorry.

Series leader Marco Millivinti has a commanding points advantage over the field so a safe ride from his this weekend would be enough to seal the title.
  Series leader Marco Millivinti has a commanding points advantage over the field, so a safe ride from his this weekend would be enough to seal the title.

Greg Callaghan was looking fast in training and getting well acquainted with the local plantlife.
  Greg Callaghan was looking fast in training and getting well acquainted with the local plantlife.

Coming off a coupe of EWS top 10s this year Katy Winton will be looking for a good result this weekend.
  Coming off a coupe of EWS top 10s this year, Katy Winton will be looking for a good result this weekend.

While perfect dirt ribbons that once flowed beneath these trees have been slowly widened by racers cutting the insides the new form means they are perfect for drifting...
  While perfect dirt ribbons that once flowed beneath these trees have been slowly widened by racers cutting the insides, the new form means they are perfect for drifting...

Louise Paulin doesn t actually need to be here this weekend - her series lead is so big that she already has the title in the bag. But she clearly wants to make it a perfect season winning four out of four races.
  Louise Paulin doesn't actually need to be here this weekend - her series lead is so big that she already has the title in the bag. But she clearly wants to make it a perfect season winning four out of four races.

Widen though they may be the snaking lines under the trees here in Sauze are still one of the prettiest sights in European mountain biking.
  Widen though they may be, the snaking lines under the trees here in Sauze are still one of the prettiest sights in European mountain biking.

If you make your own parmesan like Albi does you are allowed to serve it with a bowie knife too.
  If you make your own parmesan, like Albi does, you are allowed to serve it with a bowie knife too.

Below in the gulley is the starts of stage one above on the crest is stage two.
  Below in the gulley is the starts of stage one, above on the crest is stage two.

The weather was fast changing all day with sun thunderstorms and cold winds all making an appearance as the clouds swirled around the mountain.
  The weather was fast changing all day, with sun, thunderstorms and cold winds all making an appearance as the clouds swirled around the mountain.

Race director Franco Monchiero was up the mountin this afternoon to check the race course and taping.
  Race director, Franco Monchiero, was up the mountain this afternoon to check the race course and taping.

As the lifts closed rain fell. Word is that the weather should be good tomorrow but up here in the mountains there will be a lot of people sleeping with fingers crossed tonight.
  As the lifts closed rain fell. Word is that the weather should be good tomorrow, but up here in the mountains there will be a lot of people sleeping with fingers crossed tonight.

www.superenduromtb.com

Author Info:
mattwragg avatar

Member since Oct 29, 2006
753 articles
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14 Comments
  • 9 0
 It's gonna be a great weekend of racing out there.
  • 3 1
 My thoughts exactly! I have been mountain biking for 20 years and seems like every year gets better and better for our sport
  • 5 0
 I thought the guy with the tape was the emergency toilet paper guy. Someone needs to invent a gortex tshirt.
  • 1 0
 LOL!!! you make my day! Big Grin
  • 6 3
 Wait. I just bought an Enduro bike. Do I need a new one for Super Enduro?
  • 4 0
 No, you need to super ride it!
  • 2 0
 Great pics. Stunning scenery.
  • 5 3
 The sport where all the XC/DH shit talk ends, and the riding starts...
  • 1 0
 Great pics Matt! Keep up the good work
  • 1 1
 In the second pic, there is a dude just doing mollie in the middle of the road... haha
  • 2 0
 Superb pics!
  • 1 0
 would love to do this sort of stuff
  • 1 0
 the clouds in these shots are pure awesomsauce! Great Work Mr. Wragg
  • 1 0
 soo PowerFull







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