Finals Photo Epic: EWS Whistler - Crankworx Whistler 2018
Whistler's CamelBak Canadian Open Enduro presented by Specialized Enduro World Series round once again lived up to its namesake of 'Crankzilla' as racers battled it out on one long monster of a day. Overnight rain had no effect on conditions, not even for the better. It would be a fight through dusty ruts, big holes and loose rocks over 5 long stages, culminating with the 20-minute beast that is Top of the World, down to Whistler village.
In the women's race, Cecile Ravanel jumped to an early lead, with Isabeau Courdurier and Adreane Lanthier Nadeau in tow - close, but safely behind. The order would stay the same heading into the 5th and final stage, but with half the overall race time coming from the last stage of the day, there was still much to play for. ALN threw down what looked to be a safe time to seal the final podium spot, but it would be a surging Noga Korem who had been flying under the radar all day who would put in an astounding time to steal the 3rd spot away. Cecile and Isabeau would cross the line together to finish in 1st and 2nd for the sixth time this season. Another victory for Cecile, but Isabeau's times have been inching closer each round. Perhaps a tighter battle will ensue at the last two rounds of the season.
Richie Rude would come out swinging from the get-go to take the lead on stage one in the men's race. He may well have done the same on stage two had he not smashed a tree at full speed mid-run down the rock slab on Crazy Train. Martin Maes established himself as the key challenger on stage one and would take advantage of Richie's mistake to move ahead after stage two. A spot he would hold until the end. Behind the battle for the lead, Eddie Masters dueled with Sam Hill for three stages until Sam leapt ahead going into the long final stage down Top of the World.
With Martin Maes just 1.5 seconds ahead, Richie Rude was surely a scary opponent to face in the final stage. Richie has won Top of the World twice before to win from behind in Whistler. Unfortunately, a puncture near the top would spelled disaster for Richie, while a stellar run by Maes ensured he wouldn't be playing the second place fiddle on the podium this time around. Instead, second place would be reserved for defending champ Sam Hill, with Eddie Masters benefiting from Rude's puncture to take 3rd.
With two rounds to go, Cecile Ravanel is all but unbeatable, and Sam Hill is comfortably in the driver's seat for the men. The remaining overall spots will be up for grabs when things heat up again next month in Ainsa, Spain.
Wildfires made for a hazy day in the high alpine.
Peter Ostroski finds his flow through the golden light on Stage 1.
Sam Hill kept it consistent in his quest for another championship title. Second today means he is very much in the driver's seat.
Full gas and 5th place for Yoann Barelli.
Martin Maes was on another level. His win must taste oh so sweet.
What you can't hear in this photo is Remi yelling as he digs deep while Jesse, who is just out of frame, cheers him on to push hard. Sixth for Gauvin today.
Noga Korem takes third place.
Rain fell until 4am overnight, but didn't reduce the loose dust.
The ever consistent Mark Scott rode a solid race today for 11th.
Caro Gehrig drops into stage 3.
Not the day that Cody Kelley was hoping for. A crash and a broken helmet on stage three saw him retire early.
Down but not out. Jesse Melamed should be back in action in a few short weeks.
Dad is doing just fine. After a short hiatus, Robin Wallner takes eighth.
Some may have noticed Ruaridh Cunningham is riding with the 386 number plate today. It was to honour his uncle who was a policeman in Vancouver and was killed in the line of duty last year. His badge number was 386.
Katy Winton took fifth.
Highs and lows once again for Katy Winton as she battled on.
What a day for ALN who came oh-so-close to getting on the podium.
Recovering from injury, ALN had the best result of this season. Fourth place for the Canadian.
Ninth for Becky Cook.
Isabeau Courdurier, pushing hard down the long Top of the World stage, but it was not enough to catch Cecile.
On a charge and taking down all challengers, Cecile Ravanel was the dominant force again.
Noga Korem sat in 4th all day, but once the times from the final stage rolled, in she was ecstatic to end the race in 3rd.
Isabeau Courdurier, happy with another 2nd place.
Cheers for making it six wins in six tries, Cecile Ravanel.
Back in the top 10 today for Jared Graves.
Sam Hill said after stage two that he, "just kept putting it in holes." Not the way he envisioned the day, but he's still the king.
Masters does it again! Third place for Eddie the Eagle!
Thomas Lapeyrie rails through the loam on stage 3.
Remi Gauvin came in 6th for the hometown crowd.
Smashing turns all the way down, Richie Rude would start the day with a stage 1 win.
Dimitri Tordo would end the day 9th.
Florian Nicolai was pushing hard. Fourth place for Flying Flo.
Stage 4 was quite the contrast to what riders were would see on Stage 5. Green room to high alpine.
After placing 2nd in skiercross at the Pyeongchang winter Olympics, Brittany Phelan was out racing on home turf, this time on two wheels.
Iago Garay dropping in 'Drop In Clinic' on stage 5.
What could have been for Richie Rude, who suffered a flat tire on the final and longest stage.
Frustration for Richie Rude as things all came undone.
More than one flat came across the finish line today.
Stage 5 was not an easy one.
Gauvin and Barelli making the home crowd proud.
Back to back 3rd places for a very tired Eddie Masters.
Remi Gauvin doing it for Stevie Smith.
Hill congratulates Maes on a race well ridden.
Time to celebrate.
New bike, fresh win. Martin Maes and the GT crew will be celebrating tonight.
Martin Maes psyched to end his streak of 2nd place finishes with a win.
Finally an EWS where the only rain came from the fastest riders on the podium.
Exit stage right. Two to go, and Sam Hill is firmly in the lead.
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386. Ruaridh Cunningham is riding with 386.
"...You’ll see that Ruaridh is riding with plate no 386 today – that’s the badge number of his policeman uncle who was tragically murdered in BC last year. His whole Scottish and Canadian family are here to cheer him on and it’s going to be an emotional one for him..."
Not 387 - massive editorial Faux pas
I know Yoann is a Frenchman, but he’s a Squamptonian now and it shows! Go Yoann!
Long live the EWS!
ohh wait, it was a GT bike....