Pumptrack Challenge Photo Epic - Crankworx Les Gets 2017
Friday night and under the lights, the Pumptrack Challenge capped off the third day of competition here in Les Gets, France. For a change there were no storms on the horizon threatening to rain on the party, and competitors were treated to a beautiful evening. We even got to see the sun set behind the French Alps for a change. As the crowds began to gather on the hillside above the venue and in the bar trackside, the first elimination rounds went off in warm sunshine. As we got into the thick of things the flood lights were turned on, and with them the competitors' intensity.
For the women it was always going to be a battle to the end between Jill Kintner and Caroline Buchanan, with third and fourth really being the only other podium spots up for grabs. Spots that would be filled by Manon Carpenter and Laura Brethauer. At the sharp end of things it would come down to the wire, but Jill Kintner would come away victorious by the slimmest of margins.
In the men's competiton there were plenty of upsets with the likes of Keegan Wright, Tomas Slavik, and Barry Nobles all being eliminated early. And more than a few riders were caught off guard by the surprise performance of Frenchman Channey Guennet as he fought his way right through to the finals. Favorite Mitch Ropelato would find himself uncharacteristically racing the consolation where we would see yet another surprise. That being in the form of Eddie Masters who had every Kiwi in Morzine behind him tonight. In the end, though, it would be the pump track powerhouse, Adrien Loron, who would get the best of everyone. And after finishing second more times than we can remember, he finally ended his long winless streak at Crankworx.
The pump battleground awaiting the evening's action.
Louis Reboul waits to drop in the shadows.
As the crowds gathered and the sun began to set, it was go time on the pump track.
Never slow on any pump track, Mitch Ropelato looked like the one to beat.
Austin Warren keeping things a bit more straight than when we saw him last in Wednesday night's Whip Off.
Adrien Loron, focused and ready to drop pump bombs.
Keegan draws Speed & Style winner Jakub Vencl in the first elimination round.
Dakota Norton getting his snap on.
Bernard Kerr was out early in the the rounds of 32.
Josh Bryceland had a go, but was eliminated by Bas Van Steengergen in the first round.
They call him Ratboy.
Remy Morton crushing corners.
Austin Warren leading out Matt Walker.
Greg Watts was another big name to be knocked out early in the evening.
Tomas Slavic is always a pump track favorite.
Current Enduro World Series leader, Adrien Dailly qualified for the elimination round but was knocked out early.
Remy Morton charging hard to stay in the fight.
Luca Comet called it a night early after getting eliminated.
Bas Van Steenbergen got by Ratboy, but the round of sixteen would be as far as he'd go.
Germany's Benedikt Last throwing down one hell of a performance tonight to see off Rotorua champ, Keegan Wrigh,t and also beating Ropelato in the first heat.
Buchanan and Marth wait their turn in the ring.
Isabeau Courdurier drew Caroline Buchanan to start the night, and was quickly eliminated.
Last already edging ahead of Ropelato.
Adrien Loron was on a charge on every round.
Matt Walker both stoked and amped at the same time.... 'stamped' you could say.
Eddie Masters surprised a lot of people by making it all the way to the semi-finals.
Steffi Marth leading out Manon Carpenter before mistakes cost her and put her out.
Carpenter into warp against Laura Brethauer.
Fourth on the night for Brethauer.
Jill Kintner hammering the turns.
Tomas Slavik about to drop in as the sun disappears for good.
Nobles turning it up to 11.
The Queen of Crankworx, Jill Kintner.
Cedric Gracia is apparently making a career change this weekend.
Slavik and Ropelato watching the show between rounds.
Out of nowhere came Channey Guennet. He would knock of favorite after favorite to make it to the final round.
So much power from Caroline Buchanan.
Mitch Ropelato can't escape the paparazzi.
Jill Kintner cruised few the opening rounds.
Once the gloves and the frame color align, the rest just tends to fall into place.
Tomas Slavik about to eliminate Barry Nobles.
Buchanan certainly looked like she might take it all the way this evening.
Manon Carpenter kept Caroline Buchanan honest, but it was not enough to advance to the finals.
Carpenter had a great night to finish in 3rd.
Slavik and Loron neck and neck.
Adrien Loron made quick work of the competition round after round.
Mitch Ropelato almost had it, but Adrien Loron turned it on down the last straight to bridge the gap.
Ropelato pushing like only he can.
How close was the semi-final race between Eddie Masters and Channey Guennet?
It went all the way to the wire.
Buchanan crossed the mid-line in the heat one against Kintner and paid a 1.5 second penalty.
Heat 2 and Buchanan with it all to do.
Buchanan edged out Kintner but it wouldn't be enough.
Eddie Masters, always stoked to be riding a bike.
Guennet versus Loron for gold.
Loron smashing it out the park for the home crowd.
Loron and Guennet starting the last lap of the day.
Guennet still stoked to get so close to the repeat LG victory.
Vive la France.
Never a dull moment when Brett Tippie comes around with the microphone.
Close but no cigar tonight for the Aussie BMX thunder.
The only rain in Les Gets this Friday night was coming from the podium.
The chainless champs of LG 2k17.
Your pumptrack victors.
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8 Comments
- 9 0
Zaeius
FL (Jun 16, 2017 at 19:26)
I wouldn't say it was a "surprise" or "out of nowhere" that last year's winner was competitive.
- 4 3
davetrumpore
(Jun 16, 2017 at 19:40)
Fair play... It was a reference mostly based on performance the last two CWorx rounds that made this one catch some by surprise (again).
- 4 0
tonyfromnapa
(Jun 16, 2017 at 18:41)
why is Ropelato wearing two sea otter bands on his right wrist?
- 4 0
Centz9
FL (Jun 16, 2017 at 21:09)
Cause he can do what he wants, just yesterday, we thought he might have broken many bones in his body only to be racing today.
- 3 0
streetkvnt-kvlt
(Jun 16, 2017 at 18:39)
All that's missing is a pumping soundtrack hur hur... *Slow clap*
- 2 0
Woody25
(Jun 17, 2017 at 4:58)
Just built myself a pump track, so much inspiration on how to ride it in these photos!
- 1 0
plyawn
(Jun 17, 2017 at 8:04)
that head-on shot of Caroline Buchanan - already knew I couldn't ride with these guys; now I can't pull off wearing a sun's out guns out tank...
- 2 0
russthedog
FL (Jun 16, 2017 at 19:48)
Carpenters outfit is rad, bad arse!
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