Race Day Photo Epic: EWS Finale Ligure 2021
The scene was set perfectly with Saturday’s Pro Stage, when in the women’s race Isabeau Courdurier claimed the win, but second placed Melanie Pugin and Miranda Miller were within touching distance at just two and three seconds back respectively.
However it was Morgane Charre who made her intentions clear straight out the start gate on Sundays four stages. Charre would win stage two, but it was her 16 second win on stage three that changed the course of the race. From there she was in control of the race and that is where she remained. Charre finished the day an impressive 17 seconds clear of second placed Courdurier, with Bex Baraona back on the podium in third.
In the men’s race Martin Maes won the Pro Stage by a single second, with Jack Moir in second and Richie Rude claiming third. Maes’ reign at the top proved to be short lived, with Moir’s championship hopes on the line he proved to be unstoppable, winning three of Sunday’s four stages to secure the win.
Behind Moir the battle for second place was raging all day, with just half a second separating second placed Jesse Melamed and Kevin Miquel as they lined up for the final stage of the day. Melamed proved faster to take second place with Miquel rounding out the top three. Spare a thought for Maes who finished in fourth place, missing out on a podium spot by just four tenths of a second. Rude would finish the day just behind Maes in fifth.
The series attention now turns to the final race of the year in Scotland and with it the overall Championship standings. Tweed Valley will be the deciding race for both the men’s and women’s titles this year as the racing goes down to the wire. In the women’s competition Melanie Pugin has a sizable lead, but the title is not guaranteed as Charre is gaining and there’s now less than 500 points between them.
It's a different kind of start gate vibe here in Finale
Jack Moir pushed through injury to take the win today and the overall lead
Just off the podium for Melanie Pugin
Dry leaves have been falling in the woods making for some very slick conditions in spots
The sand wasn't only at the beach this year
5th for Noga Korem
Zakarias Johanson took 6th
It was tight and in the trees on every stage in Finale
Mitch Ropelato on Stage 1
9th for Dmitri Tordo
7th and consistently in the top 10 the last few rounds for Kasper Woolley
Back on the podium after a few years absence for Bex Baraona
Damien Oton on Stage 1
ALN coming back from injury but not quite up to pace just yet
6th for Harriet Harnden
Sam Hill looking forward to 2022
Muscles cramps and fatigue couldn't stop Jesse Melamed from taking 2nd today
Jose Borges rounded out the top 10
Harsh light, tricky shadows, and loose dirt greeted riders today
Charlie Murray on stage 4
Raphaela Richter on stage 4
Another top 10 for Slawomir Lukasik
An off day saw Richie Rude finish in 5th
Domination in Finale for Morgane Charre
Morgane Charre powering up the climb on stage 4
3rd for Kevin Miquel
Miranda Miller started 3rd and would end the weekend in 7th
A hard earned beer for Jesse Melamed
After a handful of podiums Morgane Charre took her first win of the year ahead of Isabeau Courdurier and Bex Baraona
Jack Moir back on top and leading the series by the slimmest of margins
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27 Comments
Something to think about for weekend warriors on poorly set up grip2 36’s, who think buying 38’s will make them fast.
also noga korem is very small an light, kasper woolley is about 64kg incl. riding gear. martin maes is on a 36, but only 160mm travel which is the better option. plus isabeau is on a ZEB.
What brand was that?