Black Suits Anonymous - Enduro World Series, Round 4 - La Thuile

Jul 11, 2014
by Matt Wragg  
Consider this an open letter. After two days of un-summerlike conditions can the companies who sponsor enduro racers please make storm jackets in any colour other than black? Please? Other mountain sports manage it, but after two days of semi-anonymous racers in all-black flying past our cameras we've had enough. We don't need polka dots or some ill-judged eighties neon revival, something sensible and blue or red would be great. Hopefully the weather will improve when we get to race day, so we can at least see some colour on the hill...

We woke to promising skies this morning. The clouds moved in by the time things really started rolling but it was no where near yesterdays level of nasty up top.
  We woke to promising skies this morning. The clouds moved in by the time things really started rolling, but it was no where near yesterdays level of nasty up top.

Hannah Barnes still smiling despite the fact that she can t feel any of her extremities at the top of stages three five and six yesterday. We had a nice break from yesterday s wintery weather today now we wait and see if mother nature wants to play nice tomorrow.
  Hannah Barnes still smiling despite the fact that she can't feel any of her extremities at the top of stages three, five, and six yesterday. We had a nice break from yesterday's wintery weather today, now we wait and see if mother nature wants to play nice tomorrow.

Ben Cruz hucks his meat in the flat-out meadow section at the top of stage 2.
  Ben Cruz hucks his meat in the flat-out meadow section at the top of stage 2.

Lorraine Turong on the roller coaster exit to the flat sprint of stage one.
  Lorraine Turong on the roller coaster exit to the flat sprint of stage one.

Francois Bally-Maitre is definitely one of the riders on the cusp of a breakthrough potentially a podium-topping breakthrough. He s shown flashes of pace all season and as soon as he puts it all together we re expecting to see some big results from him.
  Francois Bally-Maitre is definitely one of the riders on the cusp of a breakthrough, potentially a podium-topping breakthrough. He's shown flashes of pace all season and as soon as he puts it all together we're expecting to see some big results from him.

Jared Graves climbs out of summer and towards the winter at the summit.
  Jared Graves climbs out of summer and towards the winter at the summit.

Rene Wildhaber has got a little momentum behind him. With a win last weekend and a podium in Valloire he surely has what it takes to finish with a top result here in La thuille.
  Rene Wildhaber has got a little momentum behind him. With a win last weekend and a podium in Valloire, he surely has what it takes to finish with a top result here in La thuille.

At the top of stage 1 4 riders plunge along ridgelines towards the valley far below - the total vertical drop for the stage is more than 1 000m.
  At the top of stage 1/4 riders plunge along ridgelines towards the valley far below - the total vertical drop for the stage is more than 1,000m.

Adam Craig wasn t phased by the arctic conditions at the top of stage 1 4 happily launching into one of the rock gardens.
  Adam Craig wasn't phased by the arctic conditions at the top of stage 1/4, happily launching into one of the rock gardens.

Damien Oton navigating a narrow rocky chute on stage one.
  Damien Oton navigating a narrow rocky chute on stage one.

Sven Martin chases after Chris Ball on the media recce along the lip of the reservoir on stage 1 4.
  Sven Martin chases after Chris Ball on the media recce along the lip of the reservoir on stage 1/4.

Dan Atherton smashing through the shrubbery keeping his line high and tight. Atherton is looking comfortable on the bike and carrying good speed.
  Dan Atherton smashing through the shrubbery keeping his line high and tight. Atherton is looking comfortable on the bike and carrying good speed.

Not summer.
  Not summer.

T-Mo took advantage of a bit of afternoon sun to not wear full expedition gear and smash out some runs on the upper half of stage three. Moseley is looking very quick will she take another win
  T-Mo took advantage of a bit of afternoon sun to not wear full expedition gear and smash out some runs on the upper half of stage three. Moseley is looking very quick, will she take another win?

Iago Garay splashes through one of the many watercrossing that lower down soak the trail making conditions wet and muddy towards the end.
  Iago Garay splashes through one of the many watercrossing, that lower down soak the trail, making conditions wet and muddy towards the end.

From fast open alpine terrain to tight technical forest descents La Thuille has all the makings of a truly world-class enduro venue. The courses are well laid out and don t feel like bike park terrain.
  From fast open alpine terrain, to tight technical forest descents, La Thuille has all the makings of a truly world-class enduro venue. The courses are well laid out and don't feel like bike park terrain.

As you head down stage 1 4 you leave the high alpine scree and find these perfect dirt ribbons winding their way through thew thick vegetation.
  As you head down stage 1/4, you leave the high alpine scree and find these perfect dirt ribbons winding their way through the thick vegetation.

Florian Nicolai showing more bike handling brilliance amongst the high summits.
  Florian Nicolai showing more bike handling brilliance amongst the high summits.

We got out first break in the weather on Friday as the rain and cloud lifted a bit to let us see more of the surrounding mountains and put away the extreme winter gear.
  We got out first break in the weather on Friday, as the rain and cloud lifted a bit to let us see more of the surrounding mountains and put away the extreme winter gear.

Adam Craig boosting in the alpine meadows before plunging into the trees on stage six.
  Adam Craig boosting in the alpine meadows before plunging into the trees on stage six.

Cedric was taking the top of stage 3 flatout.
  Cedric was taking the top of stage 3 flatout.

Open Alpine flat on stage one. Estimates put stage one some where around twenty minutes and change.
  Open Alpine flat on stage one. Estimates put stage one some where around twenty minutes and change.

Stage 6 snakes its way around the side of the mountain.
  Stage 6 snakes its way around the side of the mountain.

The stages at La Thuille are well suited for Richie Rude s riding style. Baring any mechanical setbacks he could do well here.
  The stages at La Thuille are well suited for Richie Rude's riding style. Baring any mechanical setbacks, he could do well here.

You wouldn t guess how awkward the rocks at the top of stage three are watching Florian Nicolai as he manualed effortlessly through it all.
  You wouldn't guess how awkward the rocks at the top of stage three are watching Florian Nicolai as he manualed effortlessly through it all.

Nico Lau is looking relaxed and confident on the tracks here. He caught me completely off guard with this launching off pretty much nothing and putting the bike sideways before pulling it back into the non-existent landing.
  Nico Lau is looking relaxed and confident on the tracks here. He caught me completely off guard with this, launching off pretty much nothing and putting the bike sideways before pulling it back into the non-existent landing.

Despite the technical nature of the course there are 460 riders signed in to race this weekend - a solid reminder that the EWS is not just an elite race but a participation sport too.
  Despite the technical nature of the course, there are 460 riders signed in to race this weekend - a solid reminder that the EWS is not just an elite race, but a participation sport too.

Emily Horridge dropping in on stage three amidst blowing snows yesterday.
  Emily Horridge dropping in on stage three amidst blowing snows yesterday.

The light finds chinks in the clouds and sneaks up the valleys from time to time.
  The light finds chinks in the clouds and sneaks up the valleys from time to time.

Hoping for a day like this tomorrow but there are mixed reports as to what the weather will do. We will have to wait and see.
  Hoping for a day like this tomorrow, but there are mixed reports as to what the weather will do. We will have to wait and see.


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19 Comments
  • 19 2
 The wait continues for pictures of the new Ibis bikes being ridden by Anne Caro and Team Life Cycle!
  • 2 0
 @mrash photos posted on mtbr
  • 10 0
 Pffft, no jackets with colours? Norrøna got you covered all day erry day son.
  • 2 0
 Big up Norrona bro! Love the wild colours!
  • 1 0
 JonTV if I were an admin I would take you down for hidden advertising of that overhyped, overpriced ... oh wait I jut bought something from Klättermussen...
  • 2 0
 Enduro gets so much hate (although a lot of it is tongue in cheek) , but this just looks epic. I bet the vast majority of casual downhill riders wouldn't mind doing a lap in this terrain on a saturday afternoon. mountains and bikes. It made me look for flight tickets.
  • 2 0
 Had the great fortune of skiing there once, and staying in Pre St. Didier at the bottom of the hill near Courmayeur. F-ing BEAUTIFUL country. I would love to ride there. Oh - and go Jared and Richie!!!
  • 4 0
 go ben! and eveyone! and enduro!
  • 3 0
 God I want to go there! Insanely awesome location for a race.
  • 3 0
 richie rude!!! crush that shit dude!
  • 4 0
 Som raw videos pls Big Grin
  • 1 1
 lefty fork lighter! Do you see in the future, enduro specific tripple crowns fork 6-7 inch travel, like the speicalized triple crown fork.
  • 2 0
 Ben Cruz couldn't table rightly. pun intended.
  • 1 0
 I want to do all of that, there.
  • 1 0
 Maybe should get the riders to wear name tags so you can tell them apart?
  • 2 0
 See, Adam Craig Airs!
  • 1 0
 I'm there for 2 weeks at end of August....need to take more gear Smile
  • 1 0
 What an epic venue!







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