Photo Report: The Push to the Finish on Day 2 of EWS Chile

Mar 26, 2018
by Matthew DeLorme  


It was one of the hardest days out we can remember. The sheer brutality of it all still boggles the mind. Six stages that took their toll mentally, physically, and mechanically. Wheels destroyed, derailleurs torn off, dust inhaled, bones broken, and skin shredded. This opening round of the Enduro World Series was truly something special. If you pushed hard these tracks would bite, and bite hard.

We started day two with Sam Hill in first place and Adrien Dailly withing striking distance but there were 2,600 meters of vertical descent over 16 kilometers of racing to go. Disaster struck early for Dailly when just after the start of stage four he suffered a flat and ending his weekend early. Martin Maes came out swinging to take the win on stage four, and put considerable time into Hill, only for Hill to take it right back on stage five. Sam then went on to take stage six and the race. For Hill it was all about picking up where he left off, racing his own race, and keeping his bike together. Robin Wallner held it together to take third, and Gustav Wildhaber was absolutely on fire riding to fourth place.

Cecile Ravanel Took a commanding lead of the race from the start and never relented. She won all of the stages except for stage four, but it wasn't enough to cost her the race. Isabeau Courdurier took second, and Katy Winton put in a solid performance to take third. Bex Barona had a massive weekend riding to an impressive fourth place for the women. Duncan Nason took the win in the junior men. This was one of the wildest weekends of racing in recent memory, and a hell of a way to kick off the Enduro World Series season. Looking back all we can say is that it was a low down and dirty good time. See you next week in Colombia.

Once again the dust was flying on the slopes of La Parva to kick off day 2.
Once again the dust was flying on the slopes of La Parva to kick off day 2.

Ruaridh Cunningham switched gears this weekend and joined the ranks of the media squids.
Ruaridh Cunningham switched gears this weekend after suffering a shoulder injury and joined the ranks of the media squids.

Those morning smoke trails.....
Those morning smoke trails.....

Wheels. Many a riders race was ended by wheel failure this weekend. This race was as much about taking care of the bike as it was being fast.
Wheels. Many a riders race was ended by wheel failure this weekend. This race was as much about taking care of the bike as it was being fast.

After finishing 4rth more than a few times Robin Wallner finally landed himself on the podium today.
After finishing 4rth more than a few times, Robin Wallner finally landed himself on the podium today.

Chilean rider Antonio Ovalle pins it to the finish of the weekends final stage.
Chilean rider Antonio Ovalle pins it to the finish of the weekends final stage.

Marco Osborne rode to eighth place this weekend. It seems his plan of being smooth and consistent may have something to it.
Marco Osborne rode to eighth place this weekend. It seems his plan of being smooth and consistent may have something to it.

Jesse Melmed pushed through a rough four days with a pretty bad crash and still finished fifth.
Jesse Melmed pushed through a rough four days with a pretty bad crash and still finished fifth.

Another order to keep an eye on this season in Dimitri Tordo who would finish up 9th in the opening round.
Another order to keep an eye on this season in Dimitri Tordo who would finish up 9th in the opening round.

Lewis Buchanan drifts it down stage 6.
Lewis Buchanan drifts it down stage 6.

Cody Kelley on the final stage of the day.
Cody Kelley on the final stage of the day.

Pedro Burns the local hero took 13th this weekend.
Pedro Burns, the local hero took 13th this weekend.

Shawn Neer has an incredible ride and finished the weekend in tenth.
Shawn Neer had an incredible ride and finished the weekend in tenth.

What a ride for Gusti Wildhaber to move into 4th in the overall.
What a ride for Gusti Wildhaber!

A mixed weekend for Richie Rude. Bad luck on stage two set him back too far to recover but with a couple stage wins it s good to know he s back.
A mixed weekend for Richie Rude. Bad luck on stage two set him back too far to recover, but with a couple stage wins it's good to know he's back.

Richie Rude had another strong showing today finishing second on the final stage and pulling himself back to 52nd overall.
Richie Rude had another strong showing today finishing second on the final stage and pulling himself back to 52nd overall.

The last time the EWS visited Chile Martin Maes finished 2nd. This weekend he repeated that performance.
The last time the EWS visited Chile, Martin Maes finished 2nd. This weekend he repeated that performance.

Jesse Melamed was running in third for most of the days until a flat tire pushed him down to 5th.
Jesse Melamed was running in third for most of the days until a flat tire pushed him down to 5th.

Big views big crowds and Sam Hill smashing loose corners. Could there be anything finer.
Big views, big crowds, and Sam Hill smashing loose corners. Could there be anything finer.

Sam Hill blasts his way through the mob to take the win at the opening round of the EWS in Chile.
Sam Hill blasts his way through the mob to take the win at the opening round of the EWS in Chile.

There s no better way to defend the number one plate than winning.
There's no better way to defend the number one plate than winning.

Huge crowds lines the finish area as racers took to the final stage of the day
Huge crowds lines the finish area as racers took to the final stage of the day,

4th for Bex Baraona as she starts her season knocking on the door of that elusive podium.
4th for Bex Baraona as she starts her season knocking on the door of that elusive podium.

Total stage domination for Cecile Ravanel this weekend in Chile.
Total stage domination for Cecile Ravanel this weekend in Chile.

Katy Winton powers through the Devils Backbone on stage four. Winton finished in third.
Katy Winton powers through the Devils Backbone on stage four. Winton finished in third.

Dominant. Cecile has shown no signs of letting up. Another win for the fastest woman in the world.
Dominant. Cecile has shown no signs of letting up. Another win for the fastest woman in the world.

Isabeau took second this weekend upon her new Intense.
Isabeau took second this weekend upon her new Intense.

Ines Thoma would suffer a mechanical at the close of the day to finish 9th.
Ines Thoma would suffer a mechanical at the close of the day to finish 9th.

Bex Barona had a real breakout ride this weekend and finished fourth.
Bex Barona had a real breakout ride this weekend and finished fourth.

Starting this season just as he left off last season. On top.
Starting this season just as he left off last season. On top.

Nigel was all smiles after Sam crossed the line in first.
Nigel was all smiles after Sam crossed the line in first.

The moment Shawn Neer food out he finished 10th at the opening round of the 2018 Enduro World Series.
The moment Shawn Neer food out he finished 10th at the opening round of the 2018 Enduro World Series.

Loose Dog Mark Scott and Rat Boy with the fans at the end of an amazing race.
Loose Dog, Mark Scott, and Rat Boy with the fans at the end of an amazing race.

All smiles after anther win for Cecile Ravanel.
All smiles after anther win for Cecile Ravanel.

It was a long hard battle out there but the number one plate will remain on Sam Hill s Nukeproof.
It was a long hard battle out there, but the number one plate will remain on Sam Hill's Nukeproof.

The racing is over now it s time to drink up.
The racing is over, now it's time to drink up.

The top three ladies wash off the dust on the podium.
The top three ladies wash off the dust on the podium.

The only rain falling in the Andes was champagne.
The only rain falling in the Andes was champagne.

Ruaridh was out cheering on teammate Katy Winton.
Ruaridh was out cheering on teammate Katy Winton.

Isabeau had yet another solid weekend and nowlooks toward Colombia next week.
Isabeau had yet another solid weekend and nowlooks toward Colombia next week.

Chile you have been a real gem. Thank you.
Chile, you have been a real gem. Thank you.

Until next time Chile. It s been incredible.
Until next time Chile. It's been incredible.

More: Practice Photo Report, Course Preview, Pro Bike Round-Up, Day 1 Photo Report, Final Results.


Mentions: @EnduroWorldSeries


Author Info:
mdelorme avatar

Member since May 11, 2011
186 articles

66 Comments
  • 49 1
 Nothing about Youn Deniaud : 14th and first privateer
  • 4 1
 ...and with crazy style.
  • 5 1
 Yes, give that lad some support! I bet with a number of very fast french enduro racers, it must be real hard to land some sponsorship Frown
  • 19 0
 The video of Sam drifting those corners is insane, just want to go out and ride. Ps That Mega Sam was riding handled those conditions like a boss, starting to think that it's a real dark horse in the Enduro World and doesn't get the kudos it deserves.
  • 2 2
 [deleted]
  • 1 0
 @yeah what the hell...
  • 16 1
 Question :

How do the photographers earn their money? Their work is incredible and equipment is crazy expensive and getting hit with roost and dust all day must take its toll.

Keep the amazing shots coming lads. Much appreciated.
  • 6 0
 They get paid by content companies like Pinkbike or VitalMTB, who receive money from advertising from bike and parts manufacturers. Just a guess.
  • 4 0
 In this case, we're paid to make this kind of content like an a storyteller... sometimes the organizer pay and sometimes some brand put money on it like a advertising or just buying photos to your team.
  • 4 0
 Often a tog will also have a contract to supply shots for a number of riders, brands or teams. Therefore making it worthwhile financially for them to travel the globe to these type of events and purchase the latest kit.
  • 18 0
 Sam Hill is truly the man
  • 45 3
 Cecile is truly the woman!
  • 4 0
 People's faces in this photo says it all.
www.pinkbike.com/photo/15729293
  • 2 0
 @ugez: You can totally feel how magical the atmosphere just by staring at that pic. So good!
  • 6 0
 @ugez: Fact...Blue shirt, brown hat and glasess!!!! Yep that's me!!!!!
  • 11 0
 Ravanel looks like she can drink even better than she rides... and in both cases much faster than me.
  • 1 0
 She's certainly showing that champagne who's boss.
  • 1 0
 @RobSteep: Actually in Chile we celebrate the races with craft beer!!
  • 1 0
 @Denyer: Even better!
  • 8 0
 From the reports, i.e. photo's, ect..that was one Brutal race. I have to give Major Props to All who rode in it, and big congrats to the top finishers..You guys are Awesome..
  • 6 0
 A big shout out and congrats to Shawn Neer. My son and I have met him a few times at Trestle bike park and out on our local trails. He also grew up racing BMX at our home track. Such a nice guy and a well deserved #10 place!
  • 5 0
 Sam Hill and that smiles says it all about enduro. Walking get so boring when you already know how to fly. Enduro indeed let him show the ability to read multiple terrain. Happy for you mate.
  • 9 0
 handguards win medals.
  • 7 1
 Great coverage and shots – Man do I want to go and ride in Chile!!

Can't wait for the video highlights reel too!
  • 7 0
 A brilliant and we'll deserved result from Bex Barona.
  • 7 0
 so stoked for hill and so bummed for bryceland!
  • 2 1
 Definitely, I wanted to see how Bryceland would do overall. Looked pretty promising until he crashed out. Does anyone know if he plans to race the whole season? I thought he wasn't racing world cup due to concerns of environmental impact from traveling...but if anything Enduro world series has even more traveling?
  • 2 0
 @BrigadierBuege: That story is fake news. I think Claudio just speculated the environmental impact concerns story on air during one of Rat's last DH races and somehow it took hold. He was just burned out on racing DH and wanted to have more fun riding his bike.
I think he raced most of the EWS rounds last year.
  • 1 0
 @BrigadierBuege: He is not racing the whole season. Heard an interview recently where he mentioned wanting to do more adventure type races. He is just out having fun and not worried about results.
  • 1 0
 @adrock-whistler: alright thanks for letting me know, makes sense, I always thought that story was pretty suspect.
  • 5 0
 The new RS Lyrik will be flying off the shelves! Congrats Sam "The Man" Hill
  • 5 0
 RockShox hats on the heads of all three on that women's podium. Pretty solid marketing material there.
  • 2 1
 @OriginalDonk: only the best
  • 5 0
 Seeing Hill on the top step is, has, and always will be the best piece of news in MTB
  • 1 0
 Brutal looking race! Congrats Sam & Cecile. Amazing photos fellas! Was the photo of the Santa Cruz wheel with the caption about wheel failures a coincidence? I think not :-)
  • 2 0
 anyone else think that sam is riding blacked out magic marys? they dont look like any michelin tires i know of, and no branding on any sidewalls that can be seen...
  • 1 0
 Prototype Michelin's. Whatever they are, they work!
  • 4 0
 Ruaridh Cunningham WTF mate?! Letting the side down.
  • 6 1
 Ruaridh seems like one the nicest guy ever, but lady luck needs to give him a break and send some good stuff his way. can't help think he's getting the reputation of "the guy who is awlays injured" now. needs to come out swinging, and get some strong results now or i feel sponsors are gona start forgetting who he is come contract times.
  • 1 0
 Legends, both Sam and Cecile taking up where they left off last season. Lets see if Cecile can match her World Cup DH rounds with the enduro success.
  • 1 0
 what about john cobb 50 years old riding his first EWS in the 40+ with a broken wrist, hand and shoulder came 8th will done john
  • 1 0
 Sam, you're the man. You deserve a statue at this point... Definitely the most amplitude and raw power of any rider that has ever ridden a mountain bike!
  • 2 0
 Glad to see that fellow New-Englander Richie is back in form, too bad for that mechanical. We'll get 'em next time! :-)
  • 1 0
 Steep, loose with deep dust on big rocks and tight turns...heavy heavy stuff to race through.
  • 2 0
 Awesome work Sam Hill!

What happened to Ratboy?, noticed he had a DNF.
  • 9 1
 he DNF'd
  • 3 0
 Keep it up Maes!
  • 2 0
 Cecil needs to get on a downhill bike this year
  • 4 4
 Wheel failure over the weekend? Pinkbike you mean to tell me that carbon fiber Wheels fail? Oh my God who ever knew.
  • 2 1
 The photo didn’t show a broken wheel, so who knows about specifics.
  • 4 0
 I raced Andes Pacifico and saw 3 of those new Santa Cruz carbon wheels cracked or exploded.
  • 1 2
 @dthomp325: Pics or it didn't happen bro. That's one of the reasons why i pointed out that wheel pictured wasn't cracked...
  • 2 1
 @fumetsu: yes, I'm just making it up. Lol, why would I even do that?
  • 2 1
 Are we still hatin on Sam's hand guards(? is that what they are called)??
  • 1 0
 Way to go Mr Hill!
  • 1 0
 What happened to Grubby?
  • 1 0
 00000
  • 1 0
 lots and lots of DNF!!
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