Photo Epic: The Rain In Spain - Enduro World Series, Round 7 - Ainsa

Sep 28, 2015
by Matt Wragg  
The rain. EWS round 7 Ainsa Spain. Photo by Matt Wragg.



THE

RAIN
IN

SPAIN


WORDS AND PHOTOS: MATT WRAGG & DAVE TRUMPORE






After a week of sun-drenched trails, the weather broke this afternoon and dark clouds rolled in from the mountains. With them they brought a thunderstorm that turned dust into clay, soil into brown grease and trails into streams. In the end flash flooding meant that stage eight had to be cancelled for safety reasons - a decision supported by the riders, even if a few wanted just one more roll of the dice to try and grab a few precious seconds to move up the final standings...



This morning started off as calm and picturesque as ever giving no indication whatsoever as to what was in store for the late afternoon.
This morning started off as calm and picturesque as ever, giving no indication whatsoever as to what was in store for the late afternoon.

Did he ride Yoann ride this one out
Did Yoann ride this one out?

Ainsa EWS image by Dave Trumpore.
Sadly he did not and injured his right knee in the process.

Sadly he did not, and injured his right knee in the process.
Thomas Lapeyrie unlucky 13 this weekend.
Thomas Lapeyrie, unlucky 13 this weekend.

This wasn t the weekend Florian Nicolia hoped for he never seemed to find his flow and found himself all the way back in ninth. While he can mathemetically still catch Richie in Finale anything less than his maiden win will effectively hand the title to Rude.
This wasn't the weekend Florian Nicolai hoped for, he never seemed to find his flow and found himself all the way back in ninth. While he can mathematically still catch Richie in Finale, anything less than his maiden win will effectively hand the title to Rude.

Joe Smith gets loose on stage 7.
Joe Smith getting loose on stage seven.

With tight running at the front today Nico Vouilloz was one of the losers in the leading group getting shuffled back to sixth this evening.
With tight running at the front today, Nico Vouilloz was one of the losers in the leading group, getting shuffled back to sixth this evening.

Francois Bailly-Maitrecame 7th today and is now 12th in the overall despite scoring no points in Scotland.
Francois Bailly-Maitre came in 7th today and is now 12th in the overall, despite scoring no points in Scotland.

Sometimes it seems like there are no spectators at races these days. Just phones and cameras.
Sometimes it seems like there are no spectators at races these days. Just phones and cameras.

Consistency always pays off and despite not having a stellar season Jerome Clementz has always been in the mix and will head into the final round 3rd in the overall.
Consistency always pays off, and despite not having a stellar season, Jerome Clementz has always been in the mix and will head into the final round 3rd in the overall.

Tracy kept it safe and steady today but won big on the second stage to secure her margin and the win to extend her title lead.
Tracy kept it safe and steady today, but won big on the second stage to secure her margin and the win to extend her title lead.

It was Checkers or wreckers this weekend for Fabien this weekend in an attempt to contest Richie for the overall. He fought valiantly but it was just not to be for one of the most decorated racers on he circuit.
It was checkers or wreckers this weekend for Fabien in an attempt to contest Richie for the overall. He fought valiantly but it was just not to be for one of the most decorated racers on the circuit.

Pauline Diefenthaler finished in a very respectable tenth this weekend.
Pauline Diefenthaler finished in a very respectable sixth this weekend.

Raewyn Morrison nailed it this weekend and would finish a personal EWS best in 5th.
Raewyn Morrison nailed it this weekend and would finish a personal EWS best in 5th.

Richie Rude did just enough today a 12th a 2nd and a 4th were enough to defend his lead in the end he was still 20 seconds clear of the field. That s an impressive result when you consider that second to eighth are split by only 17 seconds.
Richie Rude did just enough today, a 12th, a 2nd and a 4th were enough to defend his lead, in the end he was still 20 seconds clear of the field. That's an impressive result when you consider that second to eighth are split by only 17 seconds.

Anneke Beerten suffered an untimely puncture on stage 6 to slide to 13th on the weekend. Worst though is that she has now dropped a spot in the overall to 4th.
Anneke Beerten suffered an untimely puncture on stage 6 to slide to 13th on the weekend. Worst though is that she has now dropped a spot in the overall to 4th.

Adreanne Lanthier-Nadeau seems to have taken confidence from her eighth yesterday and ran with it today. A string of fourths and fifths today left her sitting in a very impressive fourth when the dust settled.
Adreanne Lanthier-Nadeau seems to have taken confidence from her eighth yesterday and ran with it today. A string of fourths and fifths today left her sitting in a very impressive fourth when the dust settled.

Fifteenth can t have been what Joe Barnes was looking for this weekend.
Fifteenth can't have been what Joe Barnes was looking for this weekend.

Despite winning four stages here in Ainsa Cecile Ravenel would still concede too much time to Tracy Moseley when it counted eventually finishing in second.
Despite winning four stages here in Ainsa, Cecile Ravenel would still concede too much time to Tracy Moseley when it counted, eventually finishing in second.

Jared Graves finally took a win on stage seven and would finish less than a second off the podium. With stage eight getting cancelled he never got that last chance to challenge Maes and Barelli.
Jared Graves finally took a win on stage seven and would finish less than a second off the podium. With stage eight getting cancelled he never got that last chance to challenge Maes and Barelli.

Martin Maes was on a tear on the first stage this morning. When most of the top ten were separated by a second he was a whole two seconds clear out front.
Martin Maes was on a tear during the first stage this morning. When most of the top ten were separated by a second, he was a whole two seconds out front.

Isabeau Courdurier is definitely the young women to watch for the future. 3rd place her in Ainsa marks her second straight podium in a row.
Isabeau Courdurier is definitely the young woman to watch for the future. 3rd place here in Ainsa marks her second straight podium in a row.

Once again T-Mo left the rest of the women in her dust.
Once again T-Mo left the rest of the women in her dust.

The EWS media crew enjoys some refreshments on stage 7.5 during a massive delay that eventually eneded in the cancellation of stage eight.
The EWS media crew enjoys some refreshments on stage 7.5 during a massive delay that eventually ended in the cancellation of stage eight.

As the rain started to fall the loose dust at the bottom of stage eight turned into greasy clay. Even a rider as experienced as Matti Lehikoinen couldn t read the conditions and found himself thrown out the front door.
As the rain started to fall the loose dust at the bottom of stage eight turned into greasy clay. Even a rider as experienced as Matti Lehikoinen couldn't read the conditions and found himself thrown out the front door.

Sunny all day every day except for the last hour that it mattered. With a 20 second lead Richie was one of the few riders in the top 10 who didn t miss out of one last fight for the podium on the canceled stage 8.
Sunny all day, every day, except for the last hour that mattered. With a 20 second lead Richie was one of the few riders in the top 10 who didn't miss out of one last fight for the podium on the canceled stage 8.

Despite the biblical rainfall riders were still enjoying themselves.
Despite the biblical rainfall, riders were still enjoying themselves.

Fabien admitted after the race that the game for him is over. The world title is all he wants and he knows that the lead Richie has built is going to be nigh-on impossible for him to overhaul.
Fabien admitted after the race that the game for him is over. The world title is all he wanted and he knows that the lead Richie has built is going to be nigh-on impossible for him to overhaul.

How wet was it Wet enough for Nico Lau to be able to wring his gloves out as he closed his fists.
How wet was it? Wet enough for Nico Lau to be able to wring his gloves out as he closed his fists.

It wasn t just the riders that got drenched - the media got hammered too. There were more than a couple of cameras that succumbed to the downpour.
It wasn't just the riders that got drenched - the media got hammered too. There were more than a couple of cameras that succumbed to the downpour.

Martin Maes took his first ever podium today. After an up and down season he seems to be finally finding his pace.
Martin Maes took his first ever podium today. After an up and down season, he seems to be finally finding his pace.

Your womens podium for the weekend - Tracy Moseley Cecile Ravanel and Isabeau Courdurier.
Your women's podium for the weekend - Tracy Moseley, Cecile Ravanel and Isabeau Courdurier.

The men s podium and the best trophies if the season.
The men's podium and the best trophies of the season.

That s two seconds in a row for Barelli he started slow this season but is now showing the potential he showed last year.
That's two seconds in a row for Barelli, he started slow this season, but is now showing the potential he showed at the end of last year.

Richie Rude takes the top spot in Ainsa to makes it three EWS wins in a row. If he finishes in the top 25 next weekend in Finale Ligure he will take the overall title with ease.
Richie Rude takes the top spot in Ainsa to makes it three EWS wins in a row. If he finishes in the top 25 next weekend in Finale Ligure he will take the overall title with ease.

One final sunset here in beautiful Ainsa. It s certainly been an unforgetable few days here - one that the riders won t soon forget for all the right reasons.
One final sunset here in beautiful Ainsa. It's certainly been an unforgettable few days here - one that the riders won't soon forget for all the right reasons.

About the Photographers

Matt Wragg • Age: 32 • Years Shooting: 3
Maybe best-known as a long-standing member of Pinkbike's European editorial team, Matt is also a successful commercial photographer. As the first English-speaking photographer to follow and document the nascent European enduro scene, he was shooting enduro well before it became a marketing buzzword or a shade of blue. Today he is still one of the few photographers to make his living following the discipline and has built up an enviable client list that includes many of the top teams and brands in the world.

Dave Trumpore • Age: 35 • Years Shooting: 4
Dave spent the bulk of the past 17 years racing professionally before realizing that despite qualifying for the random World Cup final here and there, the next generation was just way too fast and way more talented. Upon hanging up his racing boots in 2010, it would be a few years until Dave picked up a camera and started shooting the odd race here and there as a way to stay in touch with all the friends he had made over the years, and the rest as they say is history. In just a few years time his photos have graced the pages of just about every MTB magazine and major media outlet, while his commercial client list includes a who's who of the cycling industry, and he is lucky enough to shoot regularly with some of the best riders on the planet. Currently at Pinkbike, Dave shoots the Downhill WC and the Enduro World Series as well as contributing to the occasional editorial story.
MENTIONS: @EnduroWorldSeries / @yeticycles / @trek


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54 Comments
  • 47 10
 " Sometimes it seems like there are no spectators at races these days. Just phones and cameras"

Says the guy taking the photo of the guy taking the photo, and not spectating. Wink
  • 15 0
 So true though. Everybody is looking at their lives pass by through a shitty lens and screen instead of their perfectly designed eyes. It's best to leave the picture making to the pros who've invested in the time it takes to really learn the craft. These shots are proof of that.
  • 9 0
 He is the photographer though, kind of his job Smile
  • 2 0
 There is a deeper, npr-esc, story here about how people can't just enjoy, they have to do a "I was here" thing to show off for their friends.
  • 32 0
 Matt Damon!
  • 4 1
 Hey, yeah!
Jason Bourne in the house!

You'd know it's Rude though.

Can anyone say tight shorts?
Or huge legs?
  • 1 0
 Anthony Kiedis is there too (18th picture down)
  • 14 0
 Yeti Racing should make a racing documentary titled "There's Something About Yeti" Can feature Graves, Rude, Gwin and others from the past
  • 17 0
 Tomac, Giove, Rockwell, Rennie, Blenkinsop, Leov, Houseman, Furtado, Juarez...
  • 4 0
 Yeti picks winners.
  • 3 0
 Yeti made winners Wink !
  • 2 0
 Subtle but important difference between PHeller and Lordofdogtown. The latter is far more accurate. Yeti has invested in grass-roots racing and racer development for its entire existence. Trek, Speshy, Cannondale, Raleigh, GT, Santa Cruz, etc. poach the racers once they have proven themselves aboard team turquoise!
  • 1 0
 Seriously, Gwin can recapture the performance he delivered in his KTM video! Campy AF FTGWin
  • 16 2
 Hold up.Am I reading that check right? 200 euros?
  • 5 1
 Seems kinda nothing for an EWS third...
  • 9 1
 That's more than I've ever made in a mountain bike race...
  • 4 2
 That's probably less than the entry fee.
  • 3 2
 She's a sponsored pro getting 3rd in an EWS race... I don't think she pays entry fees
  • 5 3
 You can't honestly think that $200 is acceptable for a podium prize at a world class event can you?
  • 2 1
 No. I dont. And I never said that.
  • 6 3
 That pays for tires and brake pads. Don't be so greedy guys!
  • 2 1
 She's a professional athlete! Good god, that won't even cover the celebratory drinks at the pub tonight. What pays the bills until next race? This isn't the local clubs post ride meat raffle...
  • 3 2
 P.S. That was sarcasm ^^
  • 1 1
 I've made several times that in one weekend of crit racing in the US. That's pathetic.
  • 1 1
 i thought that the uci made the prize money for the men and women the same, is that true?
  • 3 0
 this isn't UCI
  • 10 0
 Awesome pictures and coverage...getting better every year makes me wanna be there!!!!
  • 6 0
 T-Mo:- seems to have high regard for the principal 'To finish first, first you have to finish'. Have you noticed that she always seems to be carrying more - in rucksack etc. - than others? Seems she carries maybe a mobile workshop, wardrobe, spares inventory and picnic - just to make sure. and still rides fastest........respect.
  • 15 0
 She also gives spares to her closest rivals. That pack had one less tube in it after stage 5 and it wasn't because she flatted.
  • 4 0
 She's doing something right. Hardly ever has mechanicals. Always "on" and always giving the rest a run for it. I wouldn't doubt if Mosley is the winningest rider in EWS. Courdurier is making a nice entry. Hopefully we'll see more of her.
  • 5 0
 Bummed for Barel, but happy to see him giving it his all as he bows out. The thing that strikes me most about EWS is the level of sportsmanship and camaraderie. These guys are the best of the best both in terms of athleticism and personality. Guys like Fabien will be solid competitors dearly missed.
  • 5 0
 Looks like it's gonna be a Dick Rude Chainsaw Massacre.
  • 5 0
 Awesome weekend. Great pictures.
  • 7 3
 There's a slight difference ;-)
  • 4 4
 In that only one of you is making a big deal about it?
  • 10 3
 Actually it's just an observation from seeing countless people spend the entire time at an event staring at an image on a phone screen rather than watching with their own eyes. I'd love to just stand back and watch, as you see so much more but of course that's not an option for me. If you are staring at a phone you are missing out.
  • 5 0
 Check out the finishing straight of the Road Race Worlds today. I've never seen so many tablets and phones taking shit photo and video. What the hell do people do with the crap footage they capture?
  • 4 0
 post it on facebook of course.
  • 5 0
 for real, the absolute worst whether it's a bike race or a rock show. put your device away and live life instead of posting it.
  • 1 2
 I'm sure very few people disagree with you that spending "the entire time at an event staring at an image on a phone screen rather than watching with their own eyes" is stupid so now you're just throwing out straw men. It's not an observation when you're trying to shame the person by taking a picture of them and posting it with histrionic platitudes about "these days." That's a podium picture, and I'm guessing it didn't take them any longer to take a picture than it did for you to take a picture of them taking a picture.
  • 4 0
 Rude is unstoppable...
  • 2 0
 Richie is so Rude! With Florian Nicolai winning the final round he has to finish 23rd, to win the Championship!
  • 3 1
 Nico and loser in the same sentence?!?! I'm not a huge Nico fan but still kind of makes me shake my head
  • 3 0
 Didn't Maes Finish 3rd at Finale Ligure in '13
  • 2 0
 He did indeed finish third overall at Finale in 2013. Unfortunately, because he was a junior at the time it technically didn't count as an elite podium and Fabien Barel who was fourth overall got credited for third. Maes was credited as first in the junior division.
  • 1 0
 Ahh I see thanks
  • 3 0
 EWS, why you gotta be so Rude?
  • 3 1
 Does anyone know what helmet Richie is sporting in this race?
  • 5 0
 Pretty sure it's a custom colored Giro helmet.
  • 1 0
 www.giro.com/us_en/products/men/helmets/dirt/cipher.html#gid=23817
  • 1 0
 thx
  • 3 1
 can't even stop takin pics for a beer
  • 2 0
 Motorhead new Song : THE RAIN IN SPAIN ! THE RAIN IN SPAIN !!!!
  • 1 0
 Exceptional photography. Love how the images bleed all the way to the edge too; 'makes it more dramatic. Good work.







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