7 idp Enduro Series Final - Valberg/Guillaumes

It was due to be a nice celebration for the French « enduro » community and the event didn’t disappoint us. The Enduro Giant des Portes du Mercantour was celebrating its 10th birthday, just like the Enduro Series 7 idp – FFC French Cup.

What better place than one of the birthplaces of enduro to bring together one last time France’s top riders and many amateurs looking for those perfect trails? The views here are stunning from anywhere you look and even made more beautiful by the September sun. The stages are fun, tough without being technically impossible so here to seduce every rider. However the rider still needs to be in good shape physically, and that’s where it gets tougher for some with a real challenge. All of them will probably remember the epic liaison between stage 3 & 4.


This physical test, Fabien Barel came to challenge it for his first enduro rides after a long recovery period: the last rider was fast this week-end, no time to waste! The fight for the win would be intense the first day and it’s finally François Bailly-Maitre who would take it for this 9th round, although without winning a stage, half a second in front of Yo Barelli and 6s of Alex Cure. Thomas Lapeyrie and Flo Nicolaï, a bit slower for once in this long season for him, complete the podium. Yannick Sénéchal in the Masters category would lose his tyre off its rim and take a 5-minutes penalty as he had to change his wheel, as the rules state, and let François Dola take the win. In the Female category, Isabeau Cordurier, back from injury is on the ball, but it’s the fierce fight between Julie Duvert and Anaïs Laroubine for the overall title. Séb Claquin dominates clearly the junior category.


On Sunday, 10th round of the French Cup, the day looked to be shorter, even tighter but it would all get clearer quickly. Mechanical problems for Alex Cure on the first stage and that’s one less rider for the final win. The stages are a bit more physical than the day before and FBM would take a big lead over Yo Barelli, the race is over and FBM finishes off in style his season with 2 round wins and the week-end overall, week-end that ended with an exciting pursuit stage. François Dola remains Sénéchal’s best enemy until the end and wins the race in the Masters category. Isabeau grits her teeth and enjoyed her comeback with a double win, just like Seb Claquin in the Junior.


At the final Enduro Series French Cup overall ranking, there was not much suspense as Flo Nicolaï and Alex Cure dominated the season and they bring a nice and historical double title for the Rocky Mountain Urge bp team. Nico Quéré is a solid 3rd and proves once again that we can count on him, the Commencal showman is in the place! Nice season for Nico Filippi who along with his Giant teammate Seb Claquin, takes the last 2 spots on the scratch podium. The young Julie Duvert, thanks to her regularity and perseverance, won the Female title even though she started riding MTB enduro less than 2 years ago!


Yannick Sénéchal and Seb Claquin take the titles respectively in the Masters and Junior categories after a brilliantly dominated season, although sometimes challenged by a strong competition, especially in the Junior category where the next generation seems ready. The French enduro is in really good form and this season proved it thanks to a French Cup Enduro Series which has to train the world best riders without losing its fun factor. The mix is perfect.



Pro and amateur riders will meet again next year for the 11th season (the 5th as FFC French Cup), the calendar will be revealed at the Roc d’Azur on the Friday at 6pm at the Val d’Allos booth.