Enduro of Nations, Sauze D'Oulx - Saturday Racing
There was an all-too familiar sound outside the window this morning. Raindrops beating down on the rooftops is something we've heard far too many times this year. Thunder and lightning joined in for good measure too and there was a tense moment as everyone waited for it to pass, hoping the lift would open and the riders could go racing. By the time the first riders set off the worst of the storm had moved on, leaving enough water on the lift seats to soak through your shorts...
So six stages in the men's top ten is:
1. Jerome Clementz
2. Nicolas Lau
3. Nico Vouilloz
4. Dan Atherton
5. Martin Maes
6. Al Stock
7. Nicolas Quere
8. Davide Sottocornola
9. Joe Barnes
10. Manuel Ducci
After around 40 minutes of racing, the top ten are split by just two minutes, so it's all still to play for tomorrow. In the women's race Morgane Such is narrowly holding off last year's winner, Anka Martin. The weather forecasts say it should be a good day, so here's to crossed fingers...
www.superenduromtb.com
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 Damn. |
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| Faces of the pits this morning. Waterproofs, spiked tyres and smiles. |
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| Rain couldn't dampen the excitment for Alex Lupato and Andrea Pirrazolli. |
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| Arty chairlift shots for the win... |
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| This was the vista that greeted riders at the crest of the hill. |
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| From the beginning Jerome Clementz set the pace today. This evening he is sitting with an impressive 36 second lead. What is almost as impressive is the way he goes about racing, he is clearly relaxed, having fun and is happy to chat and joke with anyone around. |
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| Nicolas Lau is one of the new generation of French enduro riders, following the footsteps of racers like Jerome and Remy. Sitting in second this evening, he is already reaching the highest levels of enduro. |
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| It's hard to convey in photos the gradient and loose, rough surface at the top of the hill. |
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| Joe Flanagan is a bit of a legend. He only brought his downhill bike with his this weekend, so rather than moaning about it, he got on a pedalled his heavy beast up the climbs. His 22nd position this evening must be an awkward thing for the people behind him to live with. |
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| There is a really big turnout of British riders this weekend, they are the third biggest group of riders after the Italians and the French. Technically Jon-Adams Martin is from the black country, but you have to let some things slide... |
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| This is what riding at Sauze is all about: tearing through lush, green woodlands. |
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| Davide Sottocornola is leading the Italian charge this weekend, but it's not going to plan and he is sitting back in eight this evening. After a strong season it's hard to believe he wouldn't have been expecting a lot more than that. |
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| Although they aren't that long, the gradients are pretty tough on the transfer road - even Dan Atherton opted to have a little push. |
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| Morganne Jonnier only stepped in to join the French women's team at the last minute and she didn't even arrive in Sauze late Friday. She's a bit off the back of the other women today, but seeing as she is the only one riding who hasn't had any practice on the course, she's putting in a solid ride. Tomorrow she reckons it's gas open all the way. |
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| This is the first time Valentina Macheda has made the Italian team, to celebrate she's even painted Italy on her nails. |
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| Nico is unhappy this weekend. He's been ill all week and is on antibiotics. It says a lot that even when he's well under the weather he can still hold third place against the strongest field you'll see in an enduro race this year. |
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| What would one of these articles be without a photo of Vittorio Gambirassio's race face? Even though he's outside the top ten, he's the third Italian, sitting ahead of both Andrea Bruno and Alex Lupato, which must be a big boost for him. |
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| Florian Nicolai got stung with a one minute time penalty today after failing to reach the mid-point check-in on time. That minute means he is outside the top ten right now, but would be ninth otherwise. |
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| Another race, another bad weekend for Andrea Bruno. The usually happy man was downbeat this evening and is not at all happy with fifteenth. |
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| Nicolas Quere is the third member of the French team and also picked up a penalty at the mid-point. What is slightly awkward for the French is none of the top three French riders this evening (Clementz, Vouilloz and Lau) are in the national team. |
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| Dan Atherton is leading the charge for the British team with a fourth overall. Combined with Al Stock's sixth and Joe Barnes' ninth, the British team are ahead in the team competition right now. This is a big moment for enduro as if they hold this through tomorrow it will be the first time the French have been beaten... |
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| Joseph Murachelli has had a tough day, taking a big hit this morning, but is still trying to keep up and on it. |
So six stages in the men's top ten is:
1. Jerome Clementz
2. Nicolas Lau
3. Nico Vouilloz
4. Dan Atherton
5. Martin Maes
6. Al Stock
7. Nicolas Quere
8. Davide Sottocornola
9. Joe Barnes
10. Manuel Ducci
After around 40 minutes of racing, the top ten are split by just two minutes, so it's all still to play for tomorrow. In the women's race Morgane Such is narrowly holding off last year's winner, Anka Martin. The weather forecasts say it should be a good day, so here's to crossed fingers...
www.superenduromtb.com
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