Updated: Highlights & Results from EWS-E Valberg 2022

Jul 4, 2022
by Ed Spratt  

bigquotesEWS-E Valberg was a race that threw up almost as many twists and turns as those famous French switchbacks on course!

This nine stage monster of a race proved to be one of the most technical races to date - check out all the action here to see who was able to handle Valberg's iconic grey earth!
Enduro World Series



The EWS-E season continues with the first round of dedicated electrified racing this season. In the Men's racing, Alex Rudeau took the lead with a gap of over 11 seconds to Adrien Dailly and just over 13 to Antoine Roggez. For the Women, Laura Charles pulled ahead of Florencia Espineira Herreros by almost 20 seconds. Isabeau Courdurier did have seven stage wins before pulling out of the race. Check out the full results from the racing below.




Men:

1st. Alex Rudeau: 48:07.92
2nd. Adrien Dailly: 48:19.56
3rd. Antoine Rogge: 48:21.06
4th. Yannick Pontal: 48:24.66
5th. Charlie Murray: 48:38.67


Women:

1st. Laura Charles: 56:18.48
2nd. Florencia Espineira Herreros: 56:38




Full Results:
Women:
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Men:
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Author Info:
edspratt avatar

Member since Mar 16, 2017
3,021 articles

58 Comments
  • 61 5
 So basically, if my mom managed to ride her urban E-bike somehow to the finish, the would have a chance to finish on top of a EWS podium.
  • 192 7
 Don’t worry, your Mom already gets plenty of chances to finish on top.
  • 14 6
 Remember when ebikes were marketed as a way for old, physically disabled/hurt, obese people to access a sport that was otherwise exclusive to fit, healthy, able bodied athletes? We've steered a long way from that. 5 years ago I would have laughed about an EWS category for ebikes, and I still do. Even if brands are pushing good riders to become "ebike pros".
  • 2 11
flag JimFosterm2G (Jul 4, 2022 at 12:33) (Below Threshold)
 Does that mean there shouldn't be EFormula One racing or EVs allowed to compete as well??
  • 5 4
 "I used to be an e-bike ambassador too, but then I took a stick to the foot"
  • 3 4
 Those are both motor sports, so sure.

I'm not saying ebikes shouldn't race. I just think the people racing them should be too old or physically unable to race regular bikes because I believe that's where ebikes have a meaningful place. @JimFosterm2G:
  • 5 0
 Perhaps my memory is failing but i honestly don't remember them ever being marketed like that. I remember many people in pinkbike comments who seemed to think it was their job to judge who was or wasn't allowed to ride a certain type of bike. Anyway could you pass me the email address for the internet disability rating commission? I fancy entering an ebike race and i need to make sure I'm disabled enough to avoid incurring the mirth of online busybodies.
  • 1 3
 I can pass you a tissue @n734535:
  • 9 2
 The motorbikes don't seem to be very popular. Will this racing still be here in a few years? I don't think it's worth it. Mountainbike racing isn't really popular enough compared to other sports to add another genre. Especially a genre most Mountainbike riders don't even like.
  • 9 4
 Only 4 women what is this?
  • 12 15
 It’s a new sport. New sports take time to grow the field. The mens field is already pretty deep though. It’s some good racing! And whoever says ebikes are not a hard workout, watch this race run from the first prologue stage.

youtu.be/pYF9711Cyro
  • 7 3
 4 woman And 2 of them didn't even finish.

Serious question if someone has the answer: If your a women who likes to ride bikes, can you just become an ebike pro because there aren't enough of them to compete? And then you get free bikes and sponsors because company's don't want to look like they don't support women racers?

It's not hard to show the results. Any women who shows up could claim they're a top 5 competitor instantly. This makes no sense.
  • 4 2
 @Twenty6ers4life: yes, that's why there should be grassroots racing, to establish a competitive field of athletes, BEFORE sponsors pour money over, what, a field of 30? Go check the EWS field, this is depth.
  • 4 0
 @DCF: it’s disappointing sure that only four entered, and that with the big gap in the ews schedule not more of ews pro women chose to enter some of these races. But isabeau courdurier did enter and dnf’d so maybe it’s not a total walk in the park
  • 16 0
 @DCF: I was at the race, a few people asked for refunds after the training days, as they said it was too hard/dangerous. There were a lot of DNFs and 2 helicopters had to called to evacuate injured riders... So I would say no, you can't just be into bikes and turn up on one of these and hope to finish.
  • 1 0
 @styriabeef: do you race?
  • 3 0
 @Twenty6ers4life: that was nucken futz.
  • 2 1
 @johnny2shoes: Thats because they have stuck to mountain bikes not motorbikes and their sponsors dont make them.
  • 3 2
 Only a marketing and product testing event
  • 7 4
 Pretty sweet trails and big days on the eebs. Add valberg to the list. I'd like to see the liasons. I think one climbed over 3k ft of tech riding
  • 6 2
 So 2 women finished a "world" series race. Wouzen!
  • 22 22
 i'd love to see these comments being told straight to riders faces... keep hating from your computer screens... stop fearing the fact that you'll end up loving it if you try on out... and for those who still don't know... you need to be peddling for the motor to actually kick in and assist the riding... there isn't a throttle or a button that makes it go...
  • 3 1
 ...sounds like you're trying to justify it to yourself?
  • 1 0
 Accidentally clicked thinking it was an EWS highlights post. Stayed a while for the comments.
  • 17 14
 This is what happens when you called a motorbike race mountain biking
  • 14 10
 You've clearly never ridden an electric mountain bike
  • 2 3
 Pretty much - just think Paris to Dakar
  • 12 2
 @tomamitai: you've clearly never ridden a motorbike
  • 3 2
 @tomamitai: I have thanks. I think they are a great way of extending mountain biking when I start to get too old to be able to climb properly. The only other ebikes that make sense are e DH bikes for self shuttling
  • 1 2
 @RossieChops: ikr... 250w assistance motor v a 250bhp 998cc 0-100mph in 5.27secs motor, very similar feel, and price.
  • 1 0
 Ebike = 250 Watts = 0.3 CV !!!
Yamaha XTZ Dakar = 74 CV = 222 x the Bosch Performence Cx !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • 4 5
 Nonsense. Finding super tech and steep stuff to ride up on an ebike is next level fun. More so than grinding up a long fire road. Ebikes are mega. End. @CM999:
  • 6 7
 I don't think eMTB race is for most women, do to the extra weight. It takes a lot of upper body strength to throw an eMTB around all day. Interesting statement from Isabeau Courdurier ( youtu.be/q-SKwE8NBkI?t=355 ) so if a EWS Champ is mentioning how tough the EWS-e race is and then crashes out, I guess it legit form of 2-wheel racing.
On another note, I think this was the first EWS-e win for Alex Rudeau on the Commencal/Shimano EP8 motor.
  • 4 1
 Dont forget she is paid to promote ebikes. It’s part of her job
  • 9 5
 It'd be a tragedy if she got injured taking part in this shameless shillfest.
  • 3 4
 @chakaping: Because all the other disciplines of racing aren't made possible by advertising?
  • 4 3
 @Arev: Oh no, that's going to smart :O
At least there's a reasonable gap to the next EWS round, but it's certainly going to impact her season.
Hope her sponsors and the EWS think it was worth it to promote this lame duck.
  • 2 0
 @CM999: Yes, she is paid to promote eMTB & MTB, the paycheck is the same. I am sure she thought it's eMTB race how tough can it be and turn out to be more then she signed up forFrown
  • 2 0
 @chakaping: I hope she makes a full and fast recovery. Warning to all other EWS racers, don't think doing a EWS-e race will be an easy task.
  • 1 2
 I don't think it to be fair to complain about the lack of competition/competitors in the women's field, and also suggest there should be a completely separate category for transgender racers. Small fields would be a perpetual problem.
  • 1 0
 Was the field size restricted so they wouldn’t run out of sockets to recharge the multiple batteries each rider needed to complete the course
  • 7 5
 Can we get a eews fantasy?
  • 67 2
 Isn't eews already a fantasy?
  • 2 1
 @Fulgacian: lol yea
  • 2 1
 @Fulgacian: Sick burn.
  • 8 8
 There are emtb only events in the UK at a grassroot level. It's a joy not to be held up on the transitions by those pushing their museum bikes to the top.
  • 1 0
 Best permormance from Flo thus far. Or the worst, depending on how you decide to look at it.
  • 3 2
 Do they leave the assist on the entire ride? Fully pinned up & down?
  • 4 4
 Not that competitive yet, can get in top 40 just by finishing?
  • 6 5
 yay bropeds
  • 2 2
 A marketing and product testing event called "race"
  • 1 0
 Ahh EWS-E.
  • 3 2
 Who cares Smile
  • 1 1
 8 stages and 58 kms / 2965 m+ and 3675 m- !!!
  • 1 4
 The DNFs are a lot less worrisome, at least. just drop it on the charger
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