Race Day Photo Epic: Val Di Fassa Enduro World Cup 2023
Isabeau Courdurier and Matt Walker held nothing back to win round five of the UCI Enduro World Cup in Val Di Fassa, Italy. The hugely-physical five-stage race in the Italian Dolomites was a test of technique and fitness but also sheer strength and proved properly challenging as bright sunshine brought premium track conditions but also temperatures approaching 30C.
In the pro women’s race, Courdurier was dominant from the gun, taking the first stage of the day, and winning two more on her way to victory. The series leader has won three times in Val Di Fassa before but her compatriot Morgane Charre pushed her all the way, leading into the final stage by less than a second. In the end Courdurier won that stage and the race pushing Charre into second. Melanie Pugin was third, making it an all French podium.
In the men’s race, Matt Walker’s win was a hugely popular one and his first at this level, despite coming close with a top three last season. The Kiwi won the day’s last two stages and gained strength as others faded. France’s Alex Rudeau was second on the day after taking two stages, with Richie Rude ending up third after losing some 30 seconds with a puncture on stage four. And with that result Rude will carry the series leader’s jersey into round six.
In the U21 women’s race, it was another win for Canada’s Emmy Lan, her fourth of the season. France’s Lily Planquart won three of the day's five stages but would be hit with a five-minute penalty for starting a stage late. Italy’s Sophie Riva was second and Elly Hoskin of Canada was third.
France’s Lisandru Bertini dominated the U21 men’s race, winning four of the five stages, while Alexis Icardo won the one remaining stage and was second on the day with Canada’s Johnathan Helly in third.
The team of the day were Lapierre Zipp Collective. Yeti/Fox Factory Race Team lead the series.
It's not bad on the eyes here
Remi Gauvin boosting in the Dolomites
Ella Conolly is back from injury this weekend
Remi Absalon clearing some dust out of the berms
Evan Wall on stage 4
All of a sudden it got cold, wet and very slippery for the first day of trianing
The views were few and far between as the storms rolled in with cold wind and heavy rain on Friday
Lachlan Blair getting a bit loose after the rain on Friday
A random wall ride was the only real bike park vibe this weekend thankfully
Unfortunately Alex Storr separated his shoulder in practice and sat out the race in Canazei
Dimitri Tordo took home 11th
Emmy Lan 1st in U21 for the 4th time this season
Slawomir Lukasik in 7th
McKay Vein getting wild on Stage 3
4th for Gloria Scarsi
Elly Hoskin on Stage 2
ALN getting loose
Rhys Verner on Stage 4
Jack Moir still looking to find the pace to hang up front
Noga Korem would end up 7th
Nothing but sun and amazing conditions for Sunday's race
A great day to race in the Dolomites
Lots of fresh wheels being built up for race day after a beating in training
The final fine tuning before it's go time
nicks for a big day out
Race day... The pressure is building
Bex aspiring the next generation
A flat tire would ruin Martin Maes' day right from the start
Lilly Boucher dropping in
What a day for Matt Walker to take the win in Canazei
Jack Menzies in 12th
Richie Rude had a pace no one could match, but a puncture would be his undoing
Bex Baraona was fighting a stomach illness all week
Jesse Melamed had up and down stages to take 5th
An off day with crashes saw Rhys Verner in 10th
Youn Deniaud
Morgane Charre held the lead until the very last stage
Melanie Pugin would come 3rd
8th for Jose Borges
1st for Isabeau Courdurier
Another 4th for Charlie Murray. He is very hungry to go a few steps higher
Richie Rude was on another level but a flat on Stage 4 saw him lose 30 seconds and tumble to 3rd
Matt Walker takes his first Enduro WC win
A brutal day for many
30C and long stages took a toll on everyone
Isabeau Courdurier, Morgane Charre, and Melanie Pugin n the Women's podium
Riche Rude and Alex Rudeau celebrating Matt Walker's first WC win
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i think that „deeper“ is just in that picture.