There were many things that were supposed to go into tonight's intro, talking about how long the race is, how good the tracks are, how stunning the scenery is... But that has all been overshadowed now. At the top of the timing sheets is the kind of epic dogfight that people talk about in the wee small hours of the morning after more than a few too many drinks, the kind of battle that should have racing nerds breaking out in a cold sweat. Nico Vouilloz and Sam Hill are trading seconds, fighting for the win. Read that again and let it sink in... The greatest downhill racer of all time, versus arguably the greatest bike handler mountain biking, has ever seen. Two riders we never really got the chance to see go head-to-head at a World Cup, but this weekend, here in the high mountains of Valberg they are pushing each other all the way. Just 1.57 seconds separates them as things stand and with four stages tomorrow there is still a long way to go in this duel.
With all this excitement it is easy to miss that Canadian rising star, Jesse Melamed, is showing the world that his second in Whistler last time out is solid pace, as he lies a further six seconds back in third. In the women's race, Cecile Ravanel is out front once more, but Isabeau Courdurier is keeping the pressure on her, winning the first stage and keeping the advantage to just over six seconds this evening - as tight as it has been in a long time. Anita Gehrig rounds out the overnight provisional podium. In the under-21 race Adrien Dailly holds a commanding lead as his main rival, Seb Claquin, faltered today and went down on each of the three stages. But there is a long way to go tomorrow and if the tracks are anywhere near as slippery as they were in practice, anything could still happen...
MENTIONS:
@mattwragg / @davetrump / @EnduroWorldSeries
Since Vitus has gone carbon this year, I think it's likely Nukeproof will next year. Now they know the new Mega is well received, they have probably started making the moulds already.
What better way to sell a boat load of bikes than Sam Hill rolling up to his first full season on one?
It will be a marketing dream when he takes the title on his first attempt.
Watch this space!
OK I'll show myself out... burp...
ah yes, cheers to Alex Roberton racing there... Yeaa Boiii
And i expect him in a very very famous team next year ^^...
Or is that Vergier and Shaw going to the Syndicate?
I think it's something else that f*cks riders off.
Perhaps too much pressure and win bonuses? Taking the fun out of it?
Making them use too many house brand parts, especially tyres?
Graves was on fox and maxxis for years, then moved to RS and spesh.
Bruni has done well, but that's a privateeer team. I wonder if there is something toxic in the culture of spesh factory teams.
Gwin didn't seem like he wanted to hang around, and I don't think it was just about the half a million dollars.
I know he had trouble at customs but it all seems odd. Is this the French customs being a problem or did the team cock up?
He's switched between old Enduro 27, various shock set up versions of stumpy 29 frame and also the new Enduro. I can't believe it's that easy to keep jumping between bikes and be at 100% of your best speed.
Because moving from a medium sized company with bikes designed in the usa and manufactured in Taiwan to a smaller company with bikes designed in Germany and manufactured in Taiwan, is really selling out.
Next time I see Gwin or Graves I'll be sure to ask them which is more important to them, paying the mortgage or the opinion of someone on the internet.
He's been killing it at local events and on local trails so its no surprise he's on the podium. He looked like he had lost his passion on the DH scene this year, so i'm pumped that he's found it again in the EWS. Mega sales will go through the roof and CRC have a bigger Enduro market than DH (Pulse) so all parties will be happy. The Mega is an awesome bike, good spec etc.. But Sam Hill is a legend....
2nd – Nico Vouilloz
3rd – Jesse Melamed
4th – Greg Callaghan
5th – Nico Lau
6th – Florian Nicolai
7th – Damien Oton
8th – Richie Rude
9th – Francois Bailly-Maitre
10th – Jerome Clementz
www.pinkbike.com/photo/3464994
Geat idea P.B, have us guess the 1st place finishing times, and the closes person wins the prize!
Huh???
www.mbr.co.uk/news/jared-graves-stumpjumper-29-differ-normal-one-347072
If I were to guess I'd say it was due to wanting a lighter/more efficient bike for the monster transfer before stage 3, or simply that his best result this year came on the Stumpy.
I hope it doesn't cos it gets boring after a while