Maximising Madeira and the Entrudo Enduro - Photo Epic

Feb 26, 2016
by Aspect Media  
Images for the photo story of the 2016 Madeira Enduro. All images Copyright Jacob Gibbins. Please contact me if you are interested in using an image for any reason. www.aspectmedia.tv
Madeira Island, a mountain biking paradise and only a two hour flight from most of Europe... So what are you waiting for?


When you get a phone call from out of the blue asking if you want a free trip to a tropical island to ride bikes for a week, you don’t take your time to shout YES down the phone. After my first visit to Madeira was back in 2014 and I've since been back a few times for obvious reasons. Thankfully I did a good enough job covering this very event in 2015 that they wanted me back in 2016, and this time they asked me to recommend and invite two UK riders of my choosing.

I gave my long time mate and DH pinner, Rich Thomas, from the Wideopenmag/Nukeproof team and Rowan Sorrell, from Bikepark Wales/Orange Bikes, a call and flights were hastily booked. An interesting fact for you here - Rowan was on the cards for the 2015 trip, but regrettably broke his leg just two days before we booked the flights, so getting here in 2016 was a fairly big thing for him. Rowan's been through the ringer with injuries of late, so this was rad on a number of levels.


Images for the photo story of the 2016 Madeira Enduro. All images Copyright Jacob Gibbins. Please contact me if you are interested in using an image for any reason. www.aspectmedia.tv
Images for the photo story of the 2016 Madeira Enduro. All images Copyright Jacob Gibbins. Please contact me if you are interested in using an image for any reason. www.aspectmedia.tv


The race organizers had invited a good number of well-known international race teams and riders for this event and considering this is a race with less than 100 competitors, it had a fairly good elite field. Taking advantage of the fact people want to come to Madeira anyway (especially at this time of year) and with help from the tourism board, we had the likes of Steve Peat, Joe Barnes, Ludo May, Greg Callaghan, Josh Lewis, Innes Thoma, Katy Winton, to name but a few.


Images for the photo story of the 2016 Madeira Enduro. All images Copyright Jacob Gibbins. Please contact me if you are interested in using an image for any reason. www.aspectmedia.tv
Relaxing into the swing of things at the Freeride Madeira office on our first day while being lulled into a false sense of summer.
Images for the photo story of the 2016 Madeira Enduro. All images Copyright Jacob Gibbins. Please contact me if you are interested in using an image for any reason. www.aspectmedia.tv
Rowan looking relaxed and ready to get out there to finally see what the island had to offer.

After enduring the best (or worst) part of a bleak British winter, we hopped on the plane with sunny weather and hero dirt on our minds. Upon landing in Madeira, we were shocked to see the weather forecast telling us quite the opposite. The island sees snow once every in five years or so, so it was pure bad luck that the week we were there, the snow arrived and did its best to disrupt things. The snow was so bad that the top 400 meters of the island was shut off by police. Temperatures were close to freezing above 1200 meters and the locals were going crazy, driving up the mountains to see the snow. So, it was time to get our coats on and get stuck in.

Images for the photo story of the 2016 Madeira Enduro. All images Copyright Jacob Gibbins. Please contact me if you are interested in using an image for any reason. www.aspectmedia.tv
The town of Funchal, looking tropical in the sun, with the rare sight of snow capped peaks in the background.

Images for the photo story of the 2016 Madeira Enduro. All images Copyright Jacob Gibbins. Please contact me if you are interested in using an image for any reason. www.aspectmedia.tv
And then the rain started to fall...
Images for the photo story of the 2016 Madeira Enduro. All images Copyright Jacob Gibbins. Please contact me if you are interested in using an image for any reason. www.aspectmedia.tv
Some of the dryer tyre marks all weekend!

Images for the photo story of the 2016 Madeira Enduro. All images Copyright Jacob Gibbins. Please contact me if you are interested in using an image for any reason. www.aspectmedia.tv
Katy Winton taking in the epic views.

Images for the photo story of the 2016 Madeira Enduro. All images Copyright Jacob Gibbins. Please contact me if you are interested in using an image for any reason. www.aspectmedia.tv
The evening before the race, everyone gathered for the briefing, and the news that the race had been cut in half, thanks to the crazy weather.

Images for the photo story of the 2016 Madeira Enduro. All images Copyright Jacob Gibbins. Please contact me if you are interested in using an image for any reason. www.aspectmedia.tv
After the briefing there were a few drinks...
Images for the photo story of the 2016 Madeira Enduro. All images Copyright Jacob Gibbins. Please contact me if you are interested in using an image for any reason. www.aspectmedia.tv
And of course, there was a nice local tipple to sample.

Images for the photo story of the 2016 Madeira Enduro. All images Copyright Jacob Gibbins. Please contact me if you are interested in using an image for any reason. www.aspectmedia.tv
Rich Thomas - the Enduro virgin - picking up his number board.
Images for the photo story of the 2016 Madeira Enduro. All images Copyright Jacob Gibbins. Please contact me if you are interested in using an image for any reason. www.aspectmedia.tv
And Joe Barnes, the seasoned enduro pro...

Images for the photo story of the 2016 Madeira Enduro. All images Copyright Jacob Gibbins. Please contact me if you are interested in using an image for any reason. www.aspectmedia.tv
Race day and an early start.
Images for the photo story of the 2016 Madeira Enduro. All images Copyright Jacob Gibbins. Please contact me if you are interested in using an image for any reason. www.aspectmedia.tv
Rich trying to get ready...

Images for the photo story of the 2016 Madeira Enduro. All images Copyright Jacob Gibbins. Please contact me if you are interested in using an image for any reason. www.aspectmedia.tv
The eery start area happened to be right by a nice cafe...
Images for the photo story of the 2016 Madeira Enduro. All images Copyright Jacob Gibbins. Please contact me if you are interested in using an image for any reason. www.aspectmedia.tv
So it was naturally coffee time! Not sure what Peaty's drinking though.

Images for the photo story of the 2016 Madeira Enduro. All images Copyright Jacob Gibbins. Please contact me if you are interested in using an image for any reason. www.aspectmedia.tv
The organizers had put on a top show, with it feeling more like an event with a far larger number of entrants.

Images for the photo story of the 2016 Madeira Enduro. All images Copyright Jacob Gibbins. Please contact me if you are interested in using an image for any reason. www.aspectmedia.tv
All smiles at the start...
Images for the photo story of the 2016 Madeira Enduro. All images Copyright Jacob Gibbins. Please contact me if you are interested in using an image for any reason. www.aspectmedia.tv
The timing chip was a system new to most of us.

Images for the photo story of the 2016 Madeira Enduro. All images Copyright Jacob Gibbins. Please contact me if you are interested in using an image for any reason. www.aspectmedia.tv
With all the locals driving up the hill to see the snow, we weren't the only ones at 1400 meters at 8am.
Images for the photo story of the 2016 Madeira Enduro. All images Copyright Jacob Gibbins. Please contact me if you are interested in using an image for any reason. www.aspectmedia.tv
Getting ready for the long day ahead...

Images for the photo story of the 2016 Madeira Enduro. All images Copyright Jacob Gibbins. Please contact me if you are interested in using an image for any reason. www.aspectmedia.tv
Loose by name and loose by nature, did Josh 'Loosedog' Lewis mean to do this, or was it a double-unclip whip?

Images for the photo story of the 2016 Madeira Enduro. All images Copyright Jacob Gibbins. Please contact me if you are interested in using an image for any reason. www.aspectmedia.tv
Old school rulers, Andrew Titley and the king himself, checking out the lines.
Images for the photo story of the 2016 Madeira Enduro. All images Copyright Jacob Gibbins. Please contact me if you are interested in using an image for any reason. www.aspectmedia.tv
Peaty naturally looked fast all day!

Images for the photo story of the 2016 Madeira Enduro. All images Copyright Jacob Gibbins. Please contact me if you are interested in using an image for any reason. www.aspectmedia.tv
Peaty, the master vs...
Images for the photo story of the 2016 Madeira Enduro. All images Copyright Jacob Gibbins. Please contact me if you are interested in using an image for any reason. www.aspectmedia.tv
...Josh the protege.

Images for the photo story of the 2016 Madeira Enduro. All images Copyright Jacob Gibbins. Please contact me if you are interested in using an image for any reason. www.aspectmedia.tv
With stages working their way down the hill, most of the transfer stages were either flat or pretty chilled.

Images for the photo story of the 2016 Madeira Enduro. All images Copyright Jacob Gibbins. Please contact me if you are interested in using an image for any reason. www.aspectmedia.tv
Peaty chatting to local hero and the winner of the 2015 race, Pombo.

Images for the photo story of the 2016 Madeira Enduro. All images Copyright Jacob Gibbins. Please contact me if you are interested in using an image for any reason. www.aspectmedia.tv
In the women's event, it was between these two: Innes Thoma...
Images for the photo story of the 2016 Madeira Enduro. All images Copyright Jacob Gibbins. Please contact me if you are interested in using an image for any reason. www.aspectmedia.tv
...and Katy Winton.

Images for the photo story of the 2016 Madeira Enduro. All images Copyright Jacob Gibbins. Please contact me if you are interested in using an image for any reason. www.aspectmedia.tv
UK rider Richard Payne turned up the evening before the race, rode the whole event blind, and came away with 8th. Good work!

Images for the photo story of the 2016 Madeira Enduro. All images Copyright Jacob Gibbins. Please contact me if you are interested in using an image for any reason. www.aspectmedia.tv
After the arduous nature of Stage one, it was the EWS regulars pulling out an early lead.
Images for the photo story of the 2016 Madeira Enduro. All images Copyright Jacob Gibbins. Please contact me if you are interested in using an image for any reason. www.aspectmedia.tv
Callaghan putting the winter training to good use.

For riders' safety and thanks to the weather, a hard call was made to cut the race short and move the racing to Sunday, with training only on the Saturday on trails below 1400 meters - a massive bummer for the organisers and racers, but safety must come first and rightly so. Not what most wanted, but as they would find out in the end, it may have been a huge blessing in disguise.

Stages one, two and three where all high up on the mountain in the woods, with plenty of good flow, lots of mud, big ruts, and natural tech, with lots of short, sharp sprints. Stage one's winning time came in at 8:32 with EWS podium regular, Greg Callaghan. Only four other riders - the four who funnily enough, race the EWS regularly, all getting in times under 9-minutes mark.

Images for the photo story of the 2016 Madeira Enduro. All images Copyright Jacob Gibbins. Please contact me if you are interested in using an image for any reason. www.aspectmedia.tv
Peaty flying through the woods, keeping things fast and smooth.

Images for the photo story of the 2016 Madeira Enduro. All images Copyright Jacob Gibbins. Please contact me if you are interested in using an image for any reason. www.aspectmedia.tv
Josh 'Loosedog' Lewis feeling the pain...
Images for the photo story of the 2016 Madeira Enduro. All images Copyright Jacob Gibbins. Please contact me if you are interested in using an image for any reason. www.aspectmedia.tv
Rich Thomas's strong DH background put him in good stead early on in the event.

Images for the photo story of the 2016 Madeira Enduro. All images Copyright Jacob Gibbins. Please contact me if you are interested in using an image for any reason. www.aspectmedia.tv
Max is a Steel City wild child and was going 110-percent all week.
Images for the photo story of the 2016 Madeira Enduro. All images Copyright Jacob Gibbins. Please contact me if you are interested in using an image for any reason. www.aspectmedia.tv
Check out his choice of footwear...


There where a few guys who had come over as part of the 'foreign crew' and doing their first ever enduros. Rich Thomas, and 'Mad Max' where two of those guys. The crazy thing was that they both came away with results they where happy with. A big shout has to go to Max, who did 45km with no dropper post, in skinny jeans, a hoody, canvas Vans shoes and came away with second place in the Open Mens category. Talk about keeping it real!

There was then a 20km liaison, which wasn’t so hard. The race started at the highest point of the event, and the stages worked their way down the hill for the most part. While the liaisons may have been long, they were thankfully quite flat and cruisey for the most part.


Images for the photo story of the 2016 Madeira Enduro. All images Copyright Jacob Gibbins. Please contact me if you are interested in using an image for any reason. www.aspectmedia.tv
Down the hill we went and towards the sea below...

Images for the photo story of the 2016 Madeira Enduro. All images Copyright Jacob Gibbins. Please contact me if you are interested in using an image for any reason. www.aspectmedia.tv
Rowan Sorrell making the super greasy woods look easy.

Images for the photo story of the 2016 Madeira Enduro. All images Copyright Jacob Gibbins. Please contact me if you are interested in using an image for any reason. www.aspectmedia.tv
John from Freeride Madeira - the best guide you could ever ask for.
Images for the photo story of the 2016 Madeira Enduro. All images Copyright Jacob Gibbins. Please contact me if you are interested in using an image for any reason. www.aspectmedia.tv
John showing Rowan the ropes earlier in the week.

Images for the photo story of the 2016 Madeira Enduro. All images Copyright Jacob Gibbins. Please contact me if you are interested in using an image for any reason. www.aspectmedia.tv
We had weather from nearly every season most days, but when we got a patch of sunshine, it was all good. Joe Barnes tearing it up.

Images for the photo story of the 2016 Madeira Enduro. All images Copyright Jacob Gibbins. Please contact me if you are interested in using an image for any reason. www.aspectmedia.tv
Greg Callaghan from Cube, putting in consistently fast times on all the stages.


Stage four was up next, representing another long and physical stage with steep, slick and tight top sections that skirted along the edge of huge sea cliffs before entering a faster bottom section that claimed a few punctures.


Images for the photo story of the 2016 Madeira Enduro. All images Copyright Jacob Gibbins. Please contact me if you are interested in using an image for any reason. www.aspectmedia.tv
Pedro, another guide from Freeride Madeira, is flat out! How flat out? He impressed Peaty.

Images for the photo story of the 2016 Madeira Enduro. All images Copyright Jacob Gibbins. Please contact me if you are interested in using an image for any reason. www.aspectmedia.tv
John showing us how to ride puncture alley.

Images for the photo story of the 2016 Madeira Enduro. All images Copyright Jacob Gibbins. Please contact me if you are interested in using an image for any reason. www.aspectmedia.tv
Fast and rocky down from the cliffs.


Another 45-minute liaison down to the coast and into the final stage of the day, with plenty of open, rocky and fast trails that took riders right down to sea level.


Images for the photo story of the 2016 Madeira Enduro. All images Copyright Jacob Gibbins. Please contact me if you are interested in using an image for any reason. www.aspectmedia.tv
Stage five saw riders go right down to sea level.

Images for the photo story of the 2016 Madeira Enduro. All images Copyright Jacob Gibbins. Please contact me if you are interested in using an image for any reason. www.aspectmedia.tv
Local lad Pombo putting in the winning time on the last stage.
Images for the photo story of the 2016 Madeira Enduro. All images Copyright Jacob Gibbins. Please contact me if you are interested in using an image for any reason. www.aspectmedia.tv
Weaving between the cacti.


After the racing was done, it was a short shuttle back into town for beers and food on the beach, while everyone waited for the results guys to tally up who had won.


Images for the photo story of the 2016 Madeira Enduro. All images Copyright Jacob Gibbins. Please contact me if you are interested in using an image for any reason. www.aspectmedia.tv
A quick shuttle down the coast and to the bar!
Images for the photo story of the 2016 Madeira Enduro. All images Copyright Jacob Gibbins. Please contact me if you are interested in using an image for any reason. www.aspectmedia.tv
An injured Rowan (again) sulks as Peaty and Pombo celebrate.

Images for the photo story of the 2016 Madeira Enduro. All images Copyright Jacob Gibbins. Please contact me if you are interested in using an image for any reason. www.aspectmedia.tv
Rowan crashed out on stage three and had to go have some stitches for his shark bite... Ouch!

Images for the photo story of the 2016 Madeira Enduro. All images Copyright Jacob Gibbins. Please contact me if you are interested in using an image for any reason. www.aspectmedia.tv
Not a bad place to wait for results though aye?


Getting to the end of the day with nobody having a clue how they had got on was quite exciting. With only four of the men’s elite field used to actually racing enduro, and the rest being a mix-match of part timers or DH'ers, there was a lot of tired legs and thanking the fact it was only a one day race and not two, like originally planned.


Images for the photo story of the 2016 Madeira Enduro. All images Copyright Jacob Gibbins. Please contact me if you are interested in using an image for any reason. www.aspectmedia.tv
The organisers had put on surf lessons for anyone that had anything left in them.
Images for the photo story of the 2016 Madeira Enduro. All images Copyright Jacob Gibbins. Please contact me if you are interested in using an image for any reason. www.aspectmedia.tv
Not many did, but then few had a paddle.

Images for the photo story of the 2016 Madeira Enduro. All images Copyright Jacob Gibbins. Please contact me if you are interested in using an image for any reason. www.aspectmedia.tv
I will let the photo do the talking here...


In the end, it was as I had predicted two days previous. EWS regulars, used to the longer trails came out on top, with Irishman, Greg Callaghan, taking the win by some margin. He was closely followed by Scottish shredder Joe Barnes and local hero Pombo, in third. His fitness may have let him down, but as he showed on the last stage, Pombo has some blistering pace and some mental lines - he's also Madeira born and bred.


Images for the photo story of the 2016 Madeira Enduro. All images Copyright Jacob Gibbins. Please contact me if you are interested in using an image for any reason. www.aspectmedia.tv
The Men's top three...
Images for the photo story of the 2016 Madeira Enduro. All images Copyright Jacob Gibbins. Please contact me if you are interested in using an image for any reason. www.aspectmedia.tv
...and the Women's top three (3rd place had already gone home).

Images for the photo story of the 2016 Madeira Enduro. All images Copyright Jacob Gibbins. Please contact me if you are interested in using an image for any reason. www.aspectmedia.tv
The photographers' worst enemy!

Images for the photo story of the 2016 Madeira Enduro. All images Copyright Jacob Gibbins. Please contact me if you are interested in using an image for any reason. www.aspectmedia.tv
Greg Callaghan taking the win.

Images for the photo story of the 2016 Madeira Enduro. All images Copyright Jacob Gibbins. Please contact me if you are interested in using an image for any reason. www.aspectmedia.tv
Good work pal. Looking good for the upcoming season.

Images for the photo story of the 2016 Madeira Enduro. All images Copyright Jacob Gibbins. Please contact me if you are interested in using an image for any reason. www.aspectmedia.tv
Loosedog and Peaty comparing times - youth triumphed over experience this time, but only just.
Images for the photo story of the 2016 Madeira Enduro. All images Copyright Jacob Gibbins. Please contact me if you are interested in using an image for any reason. www.aspectmedia.tv
There were loads of kids riding around the area, showing everyone that riding here is going to develop.

Images for the photo story of the 2016 Madeira Enduro. All images Copyright Jacob Gibbins. Please contact me if you are interested in using an image for any reason. www.aspectmedia.tv
A few big names turned up and they all had a ball - even Rowan, till he crashed.


I hope I get invited back next year (as do most of the riders I'm sure). With a top group of guys, amazing food, even better scenery and some fun riding with their mates and getting in some useful pre-season time on the bikes, what's not to like? As most of us know though, once the clock starts ticking, it's hard not to push 100-percent, pre-season or race season!


Images for the photo story of the 2016 Madeira Enduro. All images Copyright Jacob Gibbins. Please contact me if you are interested in using an image for any reason. www.aspectmedia.tv
Cheers Madeira for once again providing world beating riding.

Images for the photo story of the 2016 Madeira Enduro. All images Copyright Jacob Gibbins. Please contact me if you are interested in using an image for any reason. www.aspectmedia.tv
And thanks to this bunch for making the whole week a joy.


Big thanks to Visit Madeira, Freeride Madeira, Hotel Paul do Mar, Hotel Duas Torres, and Everyone for taking part and see you at the races in a month or so!



MENTIONS: @aspectmediauk



Author Info:
aspectmediauk avatar

Member since Dec 24, 2012
73 articles

37 Comments
  • 21 0
 yesss! this is why I love living here, MTB paradise all year round and some of the best times in a lifetime
  • 4 0
 i am unbelievable jelous dude!! its just painful living in the uk at the moment with all the horrible weather
  • 2 0
 pianfull? embrace the mud. i love winter riding!! oh and guess what. if it is freezing over night , the trails are fake dry at morning and fast like as dry in summer.
  • 1 0
 yep,that be true,trauty speak sense
  • 6 0
 " Madeira Island, a mountain biking paradise and only a two hour flight from most of Europe... So what are you waiting for? "
................................money.............................
  • 7 0
 The guy who showed up the night before and rode to 8th place. Tits.
  • 6 0
 That was me an I reckon tits must always be a good thing, cheers dude
  • 2 0
 Tits is always a good things, and it was the first phrase that popped into my head so I went with it. Congrats to you man, what you did is way more impressive than anyone who pre rode the trails even once.
  • 1 0
 Yeahh dude I got some footage of you from the race
  • 4 0
 I tried to keep up with Pedro for a day this summer. Not. Even. Close. He's faster on one wheel than I am on both! Madeira is mad! Go if you have the chance. The Freeride guys are great.
  • 4 0
 Didn't Peaty say Enduro wasn't a real sport in an interview a few weeks ago? LOL.. Sure Peaty....
  • 5 0
 Ya WTF is that about. He trashed the sport but takes the free trip to the island. Nice Peaty.............
  • 2 0
 I believe you will find he said he doesnt believe it has a structure that is workable to be a full on world series such as the World Cup DH, because it is a lot easier to cheat and harder to define with rules at each round being different.
  • 3 0
 That photo of Katy Winton taking in the epic views is my fav photo of this year hands down!! @payner22 looking good dude
  • 3 0
 that's it! I'm going to Madiera! See you there!
  • 3 0
 That cut on Rowan's arm...whoa! Were there razor blades on the trail?
  • 2 0
 that was unfair because heavy advantages for the uk riders :-) they only ride in wet conditions all year round
  • 2 0
 Dat Booty Doe!!

Pinkie for Stinky?
  • 2 0
 convinced... madeira has to be visited.. without girlfriend
  • 2 0
 @pulga gets props from the master himself - well deserved!
  • 3 0
 madeira paradise!!
  • 1 0
 AMAZING WORK JACOB !!! Well done boy...
  • 2 0
 so rad!!!! yes milky
  • 1 0
 Great shots mate, stoked for Greg
  • 1 0
 Is Peat drinking dishwater?
  • 1 0
 I know the airport of Madeira is really astonishing!
  • 1 0
 CANNOT wait to visit this summer - may never leave
  • 2 1
 Killer! And then you surf!
  • 1 0
 Cheers for the rad pic dude
  • 2 0
 YESSSSSS MAXXX!
  • 1 0
 Damn, what a sick race. Looks like paradise.
  • 1 1
 Sharing is Caring!!! That black hole was uncalled for!!!
  • 1 0
 Who is that Max?
  • 2 4
 nice of that one guy to ruin a good photo by feeling the need to show his ass
  • 2 0
 Its a mater of perspective brother, i dont think it offers much of a laugh without his baby smooth ass!
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