Enduro World Series Round 4, Ireland: Race Day Photo Epic
After a day of rain turned dust into mud, riders came into race day unsure of what they would find hiding in the Irish hills. Would it be tacky or maybe a bit slimy and sticky? The answer was all of the above. The ever-changing conditions made each stage a bit of a mixed bag full of unique challenges, and it was riders who could adapt and react on the fly that were able to exploit weakness from their rivals throughout the day. And that's not even taking into account the added pressure piled on by the Irish fans who came out in the thousands to both cheer and heckle all day long.
For Cecile Ravanel and Adrien Dailly the challenges on and off the track were no distraction and they put in nothing short of dominant performances. Cecile won each and every stage handily, and Adrien won three of the six (and finished 2nd, 3rd, and 6th in the other stages). The same could not be said for Ireland's golden boy and two-time winner here, Greg Callaghan. Even the massive Irish crowd that seemed to carry him to victory the previous two years was of little help, and when a rider has an off day there's really nothing one can do but try to survive...and survive Greg did. Despite finishing a few stages back in the teens and twenties he still rallied back hard enough to earn valuable points and leaves Ireland with his series lead intact, but only by the skin of his teeth.
With four rounds down and four to go, the EWS has come to its midpoint as we head into a short break before picking this back up in France next month. For the women it looks like Cecile will be hard to beat, but the remaining podium spots will certainly be up for grabs as riders like Katie Winton and Isabeau Courdurier continue to charge at the front. For the men, things are about as tight as they can get with only 60 points separating Greg Callaghan, Sam Hill, and Adrien Dailly, ensuring that this season things will most certainly come right down to the wire in Finale Ligure in October.
A day of rain turned the dusty trails to golden slime come race time.
Tire choice and pressures were an important thought process overnight. The experienced Frenchie Francois Bailly-Maitre makes a last check before heading for the start ramp.
Isabeau Courdurier takes a moment to get in the zone this morning. It wasn't her day but she has time to regroup before the next round in more familiar climes back home in France.
The defending champ's bike ready to go.
Greg Callaghan will always be the people's champion in Ireland whether he finishes first or last.
Sorry Dave, you're not getting through.
With all the banter on the internet right now about 27.5" vs 29" wheels it's safe to say this is a fair statement.
Richie Rude muscling rocks out of the way like a boss.
A win on Stage 3 had Jared Graves looking good, but a mechanical later in the day would dash his hopes.
Just a fraction off the podium today in 4th for Anita Gehrig.
Adrien Dailly is so effortless on the bike it tricks you into thinking he is taking it easy. The clock says otherwise.
Another young racer coming to the fore is the rising talent of Raphaela Richter who bettered her top ten from Madeira with an amazing ride to 6th place.
Katy Winton meant business today coming out the gate hard and fast.
Richie Rude is riding as hard as ever but it just isn't falling into place for him at the moment.
Thomas Lapeyrie looking for leprechauns in all the wrong places on Stage 1.
Florian Nicolai storms down the Irish hillside packed to capacity with race fans.
Another strong ride for Bergamont's Joe Nation who snuck into the top twenty.
Adrien Dailly was in control of the race all day and becomes the first repeat winner this season. The top 3 in the overall are only separated by 60 points, and with another four rounds to go we are in for one heck of a race for the championship.
Off her podium pace seen last round in Madeira, Noga Korem would end the day in 9th.
An off day for Isabeau Courdurier had her in a disappointing 7th.
Unfortunately, Ines Thoma would add to a couple of knocks and bumps from practice.
Ines Thoma's helmet bore the full brunt of her crash, she hobbled to the finish in 10th before heading for a check up at the hospital.
After missing the first few rounds, Andreane Lanthier-Naeau was on fire today.
Mid-track Guinness poured by the Pope? Who could say no to that?
Chainsaws, flames, and helicopters buzzing overhead. That'll be stage 3 in Wicklow, Ireland, then.
All the lads screaming for their man Greg Callaghan.
Robin Wallner had his best ever EWS finish today with a 6th place.
Just 5 seconds off the podium for Canadian Jesse Melamed.
An up and down season for Isabeau Courdurier who slipped back to 7th today.
Keegan Wright having a wild ride atop stage 3, he continued after buzzing his manhood for a few seconds.
Martin Maes dodged spectators left and right to get on the podium for the second round in a row.
Jerome Clementz rode consistently throughout the day and left Wicklow with a 7th place in his pocket.
No one else was even close to Cecile Ravanel who won every stage this weekend.
5th for Caro Gehrig.
After coming back from injury and it being her first race of the season, a 3rd place for ALN is perhaps the ride of the weekend.
Zakarias Johansen was somewhat of an unknown quantity to the wider audience coming into this season, not so now after breaking into the top ten.
Jesse Melamed didn't linger on his Madeira heartbreak too long, a stage win and 4th place finish was a good day in the office for the Canadian.
Foot out, flat out and fast as for Sam Hill in the slippery Irish dirt.
Number one once again for Cecile Ravanel.
Cecile's bike picked up a few extra pounds throughout the day as the mud began to dry out and stick to everything like glue.
So close to both the win and the overall points lead. Sam Hill will surely turn that frustration into motivation when the series picks up next month in France.
Back inside the top 10 for Florian Nicolai.
It wasn't the end result Greg Callaghan had wished for having looked to take three wins in a row in Wicklow. He still retains the overall however.
Martin Maes is by far one of the friendliest guys on the circuit and spent time long after the race hanging with the many young fans.
A day of nothing but crashes left Yoann Barelli a bit bloody and in need of a few stitches.
Katy Winton is on one hell of an upward curve this season, who knows where a little extra confidence will take her.
After a day of racing the Gehrigs would finish back to back just 12 seconds apart.
Mark Scott would have been looking for more than a 16th place finish today.
The battle scars of a hard fought win for Adrien Dailly, the youngster is really coming of age and limbering up for the overall tile battle.
An ecstatic Andreane Lanthier Nadeau after clinching the final spot on the podium in Ireland.
The fastest ladies in Ireland.
Katy Winton rode with determination and self belief today and it showed. First podium and smashing it into second.
Cecile Ravanel's lead has begun to stretch out from the chasing pack.
This is shaping up to be the one of the tightest title campaigns yet.
The fastest teams at the Emerald Enduro making it rain in an otherwise dry day.
Cheers, Ireland. The third time was definitely a charm.
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"Rat I'm pregnant" lololol