Race Day Two: EWS 2016 Round One - Chile

Mar 27, 2016
by Matt Wragg  
Valdivia. Chile. Photo by Matt Wragg.


BUSINESS AS USUAL


WORDS AND PHOTOS: MATT WRAGG AND DAVE TRUMPORE






It would be wrong to call it an anti-climax, the racing this weekend has been nail-biting stuff, getting right down to the wire. And while the results may feel a little familiar, what has changed is how tight it is getting, more and more so each year. Just a handful of seconds separate the front runners in both the men's and women's fields and it can be the smallest things that make the final difference. So without further ado, we bring you the business end of the first EWS round of 2016...




Another day and another boat ride. Thankfully cloud cover meant more mild temps which after days of scorching heat was a relief to all the racers.
Another day and another boat ride. Thankfully cloud cover meant more mild temps, which after days of scorching heat was a relief to all the racers.

Ferry shuttles provide that last bit of downtime to study helmet cam footage before the big race. With only one run prior on each stage racers were still heading out pretty blind.
Ferry shuttles provide that last bit of downtime to study helmet cam footage before the big race. With only one run prior on each stage, racers were still heading out pretty blind.

When we arrived this morning the fire was mostly out but the helicopter crews were still running flights to drop water on the smoulder hillside.
When we arrived this morning the fire was mostly out, but the helicopter crews were still running flights to drop water on the smoldering hillside.

One last stretch before day two. With riders facing 200km over the four days of this race there were plenty of tired legs and sore muscles in the pits this morning.
One last stretch before day two. With riders facing 200km over the four days of this race there were plenty of tired legs and sore muscles in the pits this morning.

Have we mentioned that the view form stage 5 is simply stellar.
Have we mentioned that the view from stage five is simply stellar?

Curtis Keene flows the bobsled section at the bottom of stage 4.
Curtis Keene flows the bobsled section at the bottom of stage four.

It wasn t the debut for his new team that Justin Leov hoped for today. While he says he has adapted to his Canyon Strive pretty easily he isn t yet pushing it to its limits and to be competitive at one of these races that is where you need to be.
It wasn't the debut for his new team that Justin Leov hoped for today. While he says he has adapted to his Canyon Strive pretty easily, he isn't yet pushing it to its limits and to be competitive at one of these races that is where you need to be.

No contest this weekend for Cecile Ravanel.
No contest this weekend for Cecile Ravanel.

Yoann Barelli has been flying all week here in Corral and his sixth place doesn t quite convey how hard he has been hitting the stages this weekend. In the last couple of years he has tended to get faster as the season progressed so if he s starting the season ten seconds from the podium he looks set for a big year.
Yoann Barelli has been flying all week here in Corral, and his sixth place doesn't quite convey how hard he has been hitting the stages this weekend. In the last couple of years he has tended to get faster as the season progressed, so if he's starting the season ten seconds from the podium, he looks set for a big year.

After a massive crash on day one Anneke Beerten kept it composed today while racing got 2nd place.
After a massive crash on day one, Anneke Beerten kept it composed today while racing and got 2nd place.

Third today for the ten-time DH world champion Nico Vouilloz
Third today for the ten-time DH world champion, Nico Vouilloz

Ines Thoma has a much more solid to her 2016 season than she did in 2015
Ines Thoma has a much more solid start to her 2016 season than she did in 2015

Martin Maes had multiple stage wins to put the pressure on Richie Rude but in the end could not pull back the time.
Martin Maes had multiple stage wins to put the pressure on Richie Rude, but in the end could not pull back the time.

Adrien Dailly puled back big time on day 2 to take the win in the under 21 mens race.
Adrien Dailly puled back big time on day two to take the win in the under-21 men's race.

Seb Claquin pushed Adrien Dailly all the way to the line in the under 21 race - it looks like the two of them are set for a huge battle this season
Seb Claquin pushed Adrien Dailly all the way to the line in the under-21 race - it looks like the two of them are set for a huge battle this season,

Rae Morrsion was bumped back to 6th today but will roll into Argentina with her sights on the podium.
Rae Morrsion was bumped back to 6th today but will roll into Argentina with her sights on the podium.

There was a lot of pressue on Cecile Ravanel this season with Tracy Moseley and Anne-Caroline Chausson out of the running she was pretty much expected to win this year. She didn t seem to show its effect in the slightest and did excatly what she needed to this weekend.
There was a lot of pressure on Cecile Ravanel this season, with Tracy Moseley and Anne-Caroline Chausson out of the running she was pretty much expected to win this year. She didn't seem to show its effect in the slightest and did exactly what she needed to this weekend.

Classic Jerome style head down and fully pinned to take 4th here in Corral.
Classic Jerome style, head down and fully pinned to take fourth here in Corral.

Oh f*ck. Yes even world champions get those moments too. Jared Graves reached the bottom of stage five without his chain. He knew which corner he lost it so with no outside assistance allowed he had to hike bck up the brutally steep face to reclaim it. He had to fight it back on by the side of the road then haul on the transfer to the final stage to make up for his start time. It says a lot about his fitness and talent that he still walked away with eighth this weekend despite this.
"Oh f*ck." Yes, even world champions get those moments too. Jared Graves reached the bottom of stage five without his chain. He knew which corner he lost it, so with no outside assistance allowed he had to hike back up the brutally steep face to reclaim it. He had to fight it back on by the side of the road, then haul on the transfer to the final stage to make up for his start time. It says a lot about his fitness and talent that he still walked away with eighth this weekend despite this.

It s a new year and a new team for Isabeau Courdurier but she picks up 2016 excatly where she left off - on the podium.
It's a new year and a new team for Isabeau Courdurier, but she picks up 2016 exactly where she left off - on the podium.

Anneke s eyes are firmly on the prize this season. Although second is her best ever EWS result she was so close to the win that you could see this evening that she feels it s within her grasp.
Anneke's eyes are firmly on the prize this season. Although second is her best ever EWS result, she was so close to the win that you could see this evening that she feels it's within her grasp.

Even a crash on stage 5 couldn t derail Richie Rude s weekend of EWS dominance.
Even a crash on stage five couldn't derail Richie Rude's weekend of EWS dominance.

There were some tense moments in front of the timing screen as Cecile Ravanel waited to see if she had done it to claim onky her second EWS victory. We suspect it won t be her last.
There were some tense moments in front of the timing screen as Cecile Ravanel waited to see if she had done it to claim only her second EWS victory. We suspect it won't be her last.

Cecile and Anneke Beerten were comparing times at the finish line. They couldn t believe how close they are and with the two of them on this kind of form it is shaping up to be an exciting season for the women s title.
Cecile and Anneke Beerten were comparing times at the timing station. They couldn't believe how close they are and with the two of them on this kind of form it is shaping up to be an exciting season for the women's title.

The French dominated this race. Ignore the fact that Richie Rude and Martin Maes were ahead of them for a second and let it sink in that the next seven spots in the men s top ten were French riders.
The French dominated this race. Ignore the fact that Richie Rude and Martin Maes were ahead of them for a second and let it sink in that the next seven spots in the men's top ten were French riders.

Richie Rude s custom Yeti gloves living up to their words today in Corral.
Richie Rude's custom Yeti gloves living up to their words today in Corral.

Richie Rude s Yeti SB6c has now won 4 out of the past 5 EWS races most recently here in Corral to kick off 2016.
Richie Rude's Yeti SB6c has now won 4 out of the past 5 EWS races, most recently here in Corral to kick off 2016.

Despite a broken chain a day day and being part of a different team Jared Graves was one of the first to come congratulate Richie on his win.
Despite a broken chain today and being part of a different team, Jared Graves was one of the first to come congratulate Richie on his win.

Keeping with tradition of local flavor in the EWS the trophies were provided by one of Corral s artists who carved them out of fallen trees found along the race stages.
Keeping with the tradition of local flavor in the EWS, the trophies were provided by one of Corral's artists who carved them out of fallen trees found along the race stages.

Devinci took the third spot in the team ranking today. Their secret Cloning.
Devinci took the third spot in the team ranking today. Their secret? Cloning.

The CT Mag crew know how to do the after party. nopisconodisco
The CT Mag crew know how to do the after party. #nopisconodisco

Florian Nicolai was committed to getting the maximum usage out of the second place team trophy.
Florian Nicolai was committed to getting the maximum usage out of the second place team trophy.

Well we ve got our ride out of here sorted... We ll be back at it in just a few short days as the whole circus crosses the Andes to Bariloche Argentina next weekend. See you there
Well, we've got our ride out of here sorted... We'll be back at it in just a few short days as the whole circus crosses the Andes to Bariloche, Argentina, next weekend. See you there!


Posted In:
Racing and Events Enduro World Series


Author Info:
mattwragg avatar

Member since Oct 29, 2006
753 articles
Report
Must Read This Week
Kona Bicycles' Parent Company Appoints New CFO, Intends to Sell Brand
64583 views
Downhill Bikes of Sea Otter - Part 1
46569 views
Randoms Round 3: Dario's Treasures
44451 views
Brian's Randoms from Sea Otter 2024
44428 views
Pinkbike's DH Fantasy League: Get Your Team On The Line - Fort William is in 10 DAYS!
39564 views
Randoms Round 1 - Sea Otter 2024
38151 views
[UPDATED] Final Elite XC Results & Overall Standings from the Araxá XC World Cup 2024
38126 views
Spotted: Frameworks Racing DH Bike with Electronic Fox Shock & Unreleased Enve Rims
37231 views
Sign Up for the Pinkbike Newsletter - All the Biggest, Most Interesting Stories in your Inbox
PB Newsletter Signup

88 Comments
  • 70 0
 Fantastic coverage and photos as always... Congrats Richie Rude, slaying everything in his path again, the dude has talent to burn... Awesome work... Go the Yeti
  • 10 11
 The dude needs to go back to WC DH, he'd boss it (can of worms opened).
  • 5 1
 But that shot of Anneke in the pits... One of the coolest girls I've been lucky enough to meet!
  • 3 6
 i like rude more just for the fact that he isn't riding a pike with the ugly new decals. says the guy who owns a pike, from last year though, when the stickers were much cooler looking. Smile
  • 57 0
 Great coverage guys!

1 Rude with a crash and still wins
2 Nico is still as good any anyone them. Is he the oldest rider in EWS?
3 Graves loses chain, hikes his ass up the hill to find it, repairs and ends up 8th!! 9-40 must feel demoralized! Dang!

And it was a 200km weekend!!!!! (For the guys that think this is "DH Light")

These guys are beasts! Good luck to all of them!
  • 11 0
 If I am right he broke it again on stage 6!

So two stages without a chain, some trailrunning in between, a sprint to stage 6 and... ending up 8th.

Pretty neat Smile
  • 1 0
 it's not only Richie who crashed, from what I read, 50% of the top 10 crashed in the SP5. Same for cecile ravannel if im not mistaken.
  • 1 0
 Rene Wildhaber is mid 40's I think but was out with a ligament injury this round.
  • 4 0
 Rene is younger than Nico.
  • 3 0
 Born October 1976.... so still 39 years young :-)
  • 6 1
 Stage 5 was sick, loosest and tightest switchbacks I've had to handle. Day 2 of practice was a fall-fest on that part (at the very end)
  • 1 0
 Was Graves running Eagle? I wonder about that new 12 speed chain...
  • 4 0
 only Jerome on eagle. Jared had damaged the chain before in snapped. It happens to every brand of chain on every brand of bike.
  • 34 0
 Richie back on top... Jared with an unbelievable 8th with a broken chain... previous world Champs in contention with Jerome and Nico... and a teenager in Martin keeping Richie honest... I have my popcorn ready, let the season be as awesome as this first race has been!!
  • 36 3
 Hmm... broken chain on a Specialized, followed by a stellar performance. Where have I seen that before?
  • 16 1
 I heard that Graves will be on YT next year.
  • 27 1
 Sucks that Graves had to hike back up, but I love the no outside assistance rule. This is the way it should be, not the crap in XC where you pull up and they swap wheels etc like there is a team car chasing. You pay the price for not having your sh!t together, running tire casings that are too light etc.
  • 3 0
 but probably won't stop chains from getting narrower, unfortunately.
  • 1 0
 dude, chains aren't getting narrower. Cogs are added by using the space available thanks to spoke angle.
  • 1 0
 @highway: well, sure the cassette teeth aren't narrower, but the outside width of chains have gotten narrower with each increase in cassette cogs until 12spd, and now the pins are narrower so they are perfectly flush with the plates. So, yeah, they're narrower in a functional way and in terms of the margin for error in manufacturing.
  • 24 0
 Great photos Matt and Dave! Thanks for bringing the action to our homes!
  • 21 0
 Those trophies are beautiful. Something meaningful by a local artist with local materials. Great to see it shoved up the proverbial.
  • 22 7
 Hmmmmmmm? Graves on sram this year. Broken chain at the first race? Must be one hell of a paycheck to take a guy off shimano. Great coverage, Thanks PB! Love the EWS series and your coverage of it.
  • 19 4
 And it was the new 12 speed chain that's supposed to be stronger.
  • 8 5
 gwin and mullaly both broke chains in world cup races riding shimano. I don't think its the manufacturers fault.
  • 17 0
 might be nitpicking but gwin was on sram
  • 9 0
 I think that Jerome was the only rider on the new 12 spd stuff.
  • 30 6
 He broke chain because chainstays on his Enduro are too short in relation to how wide his Boost hub is. It is no coincidence that it is Easter and God of Nazareth punishes Specialized for Roubaix incident.
  • 2 0
 I thought the enduros came with 142+, or does Graves run a prototype rear?
  • 2 2
 Haha SRAM sucks.
  • 11 0
 Nice coverage as always. To be honest i was expecting something about Toni Ferreiro, first appearance and ends up 12, i think that deserves to be shown and not only him, i mean, could be nice to see other racers than the 10 of always, there's more pinned guys that aint that famous, Anyway epic shots Wink
  • 6 0
 Toni Ferreiro looked unbelievably fast all the weekend, always catching other riders.
  • 14 0
 Why do I want Martin Maes to win so bad? I'm rooting so hard for this kid.
  • 1 0
 Same he's like a year older than I am. So crazy to think that he is at the top already!!!
  • 2 1
 is it just me, or does it look like Martin Maes is running the death grip in this photo?
www.pinkbike.com/photo/13314511
  • 1 1
 I think you're right Smile
  • 2 1
 ???? what's death grip ??? I don't understand
  • 1 0
 @soudonphilippe No finger on the brake levers Wink
  • 1 0
 I don't care what anyone says, rocking the death grip reduces panic braking, and on a section where you can see ahead, you're in more control with a full hand on the bar. my .02
  • 2 0
 I also want him to win because he seems to be the only guy on an aluminum frame.
  • 9 1
 "Ravishing" Rick Ruuuuuuuuude!!!!!!!
  • 4 0
 A bit off topic but when will that URGE helmet be released- the one rocky mountain team are using? Great coverage too- should be a good season!
  • 2 0
 That should be the new archi enduro, finally with a decent design...
  • 1 0
 yeah, I figured that, but I can' find anything about it. FB wore it at Crankworx and now these pics...looks sweet but I want to know more. All the other enduro helmets are ugly IMO (MET, Bell, Lazer)
  • 1 0
 I'm guessing that figure on the check isn't in USD..can anyone tell me what these guys are getting paid and where it is all coming from. I figure all there racing is funded by there factory team but then are they on salary after that and the prize money is just a bonus or are they paid based on results. I guess my two questions are how well are the top guys doing and how many guys are feeding themselves doing this(no second job) just curious.
  • 5 1
 YO Richie, after all the hate for choosing enduro, way to keep it to the index finger!
  • 5 0
 Graves really went over to the Yeti Tent to hump a "SB6"!
  • 3 0
 Did anyone told Graves that if you ride Specialized you must be able to ride chainless?
  • 6 3
 11 articles so far on the first round of the EWS - hope you guys have coverage this good for the DH WC!
  • 4 0
 Nico !!!!!!!!!!! giving us oldies a chance, keep pushing ya hero ! :-)
  • 1 0
 I know right! Just when I was thinking I'm getting too old and might consider (regretfully) road bikes. I read Nico's age: re-inspired!
  • 2 0
 Road bikes !!!!!!!!!!! god forbid, keep the dirt under your wheels........
  • 2 0
 40something here, started mtb 4 years ago, Nico is such an inspiration, keep your riding steep up and downhill
  • 2 1
 Keep them spinning my friend, your a long way off yet... i'll be 58 next month, competing in our national 6 race enduro series as a master (40+), had a couple of podiums last season, hoping (praying?) for a series result this season :-)
  • 1 0
 Sorry I negative proper you. Respect an keep shredding
  • 1 0
 Great coverage of the race, as usual by Pinkbike...
On another note, anyone has been having issues with a side window that occupies a big part of the right side of the display???
  • 3 1
 maybe graves is expierencing the same thing gwin did when he went to specialized in 2013. bad luck.
  • 3 1
 Gwinn ... Hill didnt do so well either on his first year if ai recall
  • 12 1
 Nah... Just won world cup overall that year so no big deal... And world champs the year after.
  • 1 2
 Uhhhh, Dave.... Gwin has never won World Champs...
  • 5 0
 hill, not gwin.
  • 3 0
 was talking about Hill...
  • 2 0
 Ohhh, thanks. Can I downvote myself?
  • 1 0
 Marco Osbourne and Jerome Clementz are my brothers! Stoked to watch them at this years TDS Enduro. Just watched the video again on soulid.me
  • 2 0
 Los CTMs ya tienen fama mundial
Great work Richie Rude #1
  • 3 1
 So....Specialized bikes break chains?
  • 7 0
 Specialized in breaking chains!
  • 2 0
 Is the XO gripshift on Jerome's bike for the Dyad suspension adjustment?
  • 1 0
 Yes, he has this set-up since a long time (ever?)
  • 1 0
 Helmet cam footage review- lameo. The spirit of enduro is being taken over by the spirit of greed.
  • 1 0
 Is the seat post on Richie's bike the new D.O.S.S?
  • 1 0
 I think you are right, sir!
  • 1 0
 Excellent coverage! Been to Chile to Trek, really need to go back to ride!
  • 1 0
 The trails look like a ditch or a trench in a lot of the photos!
  • 1 0
 Because they are. Think massive bobbled runs through he woods in spots. Soon fun.
  • 1 0
 Anyone knows what shoes Richie has?
  • 1 0
 Giro Chamber
  • 3 3
 After the Graves pic its back up not bck, but I know its just a typo.
  • 1 0
 bck is the new back.
  • 1 0
 Like omg..... his shoes!
  • 2 4
 Nothing like winning a EWS and getting a piece of drift wood.
Below threshold threads are hidden







Copyright © 2000 - 2024. Pinkbike.com. All rights reserved.
dv42 0.044732
Mobile Version of Website