Race Report: Ecuador Enduro Series - Round 2, Cañar

The small town of Zhud was the starting point for the second round of the Ecuador Devinci Enduro Series. Sitting at 2800 meters above sea level, it provided a variety of trails and great landscapes. The rain, that started the day before the race, put some spice to the first stage as the fast rolling surface turned into a mix of slippery clay and rocks. Also, the low temperatures made the early start really hard on everyone.

Try to stay warm at any cost because…

… you will be wet by the end of stage 1.

Racing is tight in every category.

Stage one was fast and rough, with plenty of sketchy sections.

Gabriela Acosta exits the first tunnel.

The fast chutes became really tricky because of the rain.

Every turn in the bobsled had to be precise to avoid sliding in the mud.

Sticky and slimy.

After the slippery stage 1, bikes were quickly cleaned to tackle the first big liaison. The next stage was the longest of the day, and also the most physical with long pedally sections over grass fields. While mud was replaced with loam for the majority of the trail, the rain and cold continued.

The first liaison kept riders warm, the wheelies kept them entertained.

This small patch of forest provide shelter from the rain and wind while waiting for start times.

Stage 2 featured a mix of open grass fields and singletrack.

Although most of the ground was grippy, there was a good dose of mud and wet rocks.

Monochromatic.

Tight sections in the forest.

Big old trees made beautiful tunnels over the trail.

Jorge Penafiel putting some serious power to the pedals.

A chute full of loose rocks and dust put an end to the long stage 2.

Juan Jurado hard on the brakes to tame the last couple of switchbacks.

The last two stages were much shorter but also steeper than the other half of the race. Stage 3 was finally dry and warm, with steep open sections that ended in a beautiful singletrack surrounded by vegetation.

More green tunnels.

The landscape didn’t distract Alejo Ortiz.

At last the weather got better and trails dried up.

High speed doesn’t make Martin Jijon blink.

Blind racing and navigation skills made the Devinci Enduro Series unique.

Another great section of singletrack lead to the finish line.

The final stage was mainly hardpacked singletrack, super fast and steep. Its two halves were linked by a gravel road with a really loose surface that led to another singletrack section on the slope of the mountain.

The start of stage 4 was a technical chute where many riders had to bail.

Steep landscapes.

Fast straight sections were interrupted by tight corners. Dani Romero had no problem where others crashed.

Stage 4 wasn’t all about raw speed but to keep it flowing.

The race was about to end but the landscapes kept coming.

You had to keep it together as the trails were tight until the end.

Last year's champion, Martin Jijon, managed to get a second place to keep the lead in the overall. The win for Dani Romero put him on the chase after a fourth place in the first round. As always, Alejo Ortiz is consistent with another third place. The competition is far from being over and is only getting better.

RESULTS

1. Daniel Romero
2. Martin Jijon
3. Alejo Ortiz
4. Juan Jurado
5. Miguel Cherrez

More info and full results at Enduro Devinci Ecuador.

Posted In:
Racing and Events Devinci

Author Info:

ajaneta
Member since Aug 31, 2015
16 articles