EWS 2016: The Season So Far - The First 3 Rounds
For the 2016 season opener the Enduro World Series headed to the shores on the Pacific Ocean at Corral, Chile. This was maybe the most remote race ever seen on any major race circuit, with the racing taking place above a tiny fishing village some half hour's boat ride from the mainland. Unsurprisingly, the unique location made for a unique challenge for riders with fast, loose trails underneath the baking Chilean sun. Over two days, riders lapped the tiny Patagonian outcrop, clocking up more than 40km per day in the first event Chile's Montenbaik crew have hosted since 2014 when they put on their race in Nevados de Chillan that was overwhelmingly voted as the riders' favourite that season.
The morning boat ride to the office...
Intense, dusty blasts back down to the sea were the order of the weekend on track.
Jared Graves was definitely the biggest mover over the winter, leaving long-time sponsor, Yeti, for Specialized. Unfortunately, his 2016 season began with a difficult weekend, with a snapped chain on the second day clearly a low point for the 2014 series champion.
With Tracy Moseley stepping back from full-time competition and Anne-Caroline Chausson out with illness, all eyes were on Cecile Ravanel. There was a huge amount of expectation for her to win and she dealt with that pressure admirably to open her account for 2016 with a commanding victory.
Richie Ride picked up where he left in 2015 - out front on the timing sheets.
Photo Epics:
Intro
Practice
Raceday One
Raceday Two
After the long off-season break, the season opened at full speed with two races in as many weeks. After Corral, riders headed over the Andes to the ski resort of Cerro Catedral above Bariloche in Argentina. Argentina was a shock to the system for almost everyone. What looked to be ribbons of dirt flowing through the forests were far more savage than anyone could have expected. The soft mineral soil fell away at an incredible rate, turning those ribbons in deep, treacherous ruts, axle-deep in dust. For many outside the pro ranks the course was almost unrideable at points and any mistake was punished with dust in every nook and cranny. Arguably this was the toughest test of the riders yet seen on the EWS circuit.
While the dust was insane, the forests in Cerro Catedral were rather pretty too.
In the women's race, Casey Brown was the big surprise, shooting straight to the second spot on her first ever EWS outing.
In the first two rounds, Spanish newcomer Toni Ferreiro backed up an impressive 12th in the first round to only just miss the podium in Argentina, having to settle for fourth in the end.
Ceciel Ravanel showed that round one was no fluke, taking an even more dominant victory, this time out.
It was business as usual for Richie Rude who made it 2/2 in 2016.
Photo Epics:
Intro
Practice
Raceday One
Raceday Two
The Lost Day
Ireland was maybe the most anticipated race of the season. Last year the Irish fans were simply stunning and one of the only times during the season when the riders get a huge audience with them trackside. Thanks to Niall and his unholy deal with the Irish weather gods, the sun shone once more and the fans were more numerous and even more vocal than last year. While it is almost certainly the smallest hill on the circuit, local track builders have packed a punch working with what they have and it more than enough to provide a stern test for the world's best once again.
We thought the fans were nuts last year, this year they turned it up to 11, with horns, flags, banners, converted chainsaws and anything else they could get their hands on.
Bluebells and scrubs - this is what all the photo nerds were hoping for in Ireland this year.
Greg wasn't the only Callaghan to have a big day in his backyard - his cousin Killian took home the win in the under-21 category.
Cecile Ravanel's perfect streak was brought to a halt by Tracy Moseley, who showed up to give the fans an encore with her only EWS appearance this year and to remind everyone that she is the best in the world at this, even if she is no longer doing it full-time.
What can we say about Greg Callaghan? To win once on home soil was a fairytale, but his second victory was something else. To cope with the pressure, the expectation and the surging Richie Rude shows just how strong the young Irishman's head is.
Photo Epics:
Intro
Practice
Raceday
We are excited to see what unfolds at the next two rounds.
MENTIONS: @EnduroWorldSeries
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16 Comments
- 28 5
Marcusthefarkus
(Sep 14, 2016 at 6:10)
Good job mentioning Sam Hill.
- 3 2
polarproton
(Sep 14, 2016 at 10:26)
Many riders were not mentioned.... It's just a recap, and in two parts.... But he I'm sure PB would fancy having another writer to step-up the poor quality of their articles they are so well known for. 
- 12 1
holdogs
(Sep 14, 2016 at 5:38)
There's only been 3 rounds?
- 8 40
Marcusthefarkus
(Sep 14, 2016 at 6:11)
(Below Threshold)
There has been 6, but remember there are idiots writing these articles. Take what you can get...
- 2 0
mizzter-b
(Sep 14, 2016 at 6:17)
They must be doing a "Part 2" to cover La Thuile, Aspen and Whistler...........I hope it was La Thuile in the 4th round or I just went to the wrong place to ride!
- 9 0
hetfield1
(Sep 14, 2016 at 6:54)
@Marcusthefarkus: good grief, I'm sure they're fully aware there's been 6 rounds.
- 4 1
CaptainSnappy
(Sep 14, 2016 at 8:58)
To all those who are confused by the missing rounds in La Thuile, Aspen, Whistler... read the byline three more times, slowly.
- 5 1
Centz9
FL (Sep 13, 2016 at 23:12)
Rude is a beast!!!
- 1 1
Pager72
FL (Sep 15, 2016 at 0:02)
No mention of Sam Hill one of the greatest of all time Downhill riders and biggest influences in the gravity side of Mountainbiking coming into the EWS this season and bagging 2 seconds and an 8th?! Matt Wragg?
- 5 0
mattwragg
FL (Sep 15, 2016 at 6:12)
@Pager72 No, not this time. If you see part two, you will find Sam in there, but for Ireland I decided to include Killian over Sam because Killian is a good kid who is working hard and doesn't often get much coverage. That win is the biggest thing he has achieved so far on a bike and he deserves his spot in this piece. I'm as stoked as anyone to see Sam not just doing well at these races, but enjoying them, but I stand by decision here.
- 1 0
Pager72
FL (Sep 16, 2016 at 1:18)
@mattwragg: Ah sorry, I now realise how your article pans out with the article split into segments. Good work. Cheers
- 1 0
powderturns
(Sep 14, 2016 at 7:12)
What about my favorite rider?
- 1 1
Murbahman
(Sep 14, 2016 at 1:30)
Puncture city rolls on - bring it down under 2017 woo-hoo
- 1 0
suspended-flesh
FL (Sep 14, 2016 at 12:18)
the devil is a beast
- 1 1
i530rider
(Sep 14, 2016 at 7:05)
, Aspen?
- 1 1
i530rider
(Sep 14, 2016 at 7:06)
Whistler?
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