Superenduro PRO 3: Madesimo, Friday Practice

Jun 27, 2014
by Matt Wragg  
This weekend marks the three-quarter point of the 2014 Superenduro PRO season. Somehow we are more than halfway through the season and the race for the titles are starting to get serious. So far this year we have only seen two race winners - Marco Milivinti and Louise Paulin - and they both have commanding leads in the series, but now is the time for chasing, and while every racer would prefer to have a lead to defend, that doesn't mean it's going to be easy for them. Will they crack under pressure or stamp their authority on the season? And with an influx of international riders this weekend the Italians will be keen to show that they are supreme on home turf.

For round three of the 2014 Superenduro PRO series the racing returns to the alps for the first time this year - heading high up into the Chiavenna valley.
  For round three of the 2014 Superenduro PRO series the racing returns to the alps for the first time this year - heading high up into the Chiavenna valley.

Rolling into town after a day in the car a quick spin up to stage one was in order - unfortunately this is looking like it was the high point of the weekend weather-wise as rain is on the cards come race day.
  Rolling into town after a day in the car, a quick spin up to stage one was in order - unfortunately this is looking like it was the high point of the weekend, weather-wise as rain is on the cards come race day.

Sitting 1 500m above sea level Madesimo is a modern resort town sitting below some of the most stunning mountains anywhere in the alps and home to one of the most famous freeskiing zones anywhere in Italy.
  Sitting 1,500m above sea level, Madesimo is a modern resort town sitting below some of the most stunning mountains anywhere in the alps and home to one of the most famous freeskiing zones anywhere in Italy.

Spot the pits. For the next days the pits and the SRAM arch will be dominating Madesimos main street.
  Spot the pits. For the next days the pits and the SRAM arch will be dominating Madesimos main street.

Series leader Louise Paulin broke her collar bone a couple of weeks ago. She probably hasn t told her doctor that she s here racing this weekend as she doesn t want to lose too many points. At the top of the hill she was joking that she is riding like a girl but the technical tracks here don t seem to be troubling her too much although crashing wouldn t be good news.
  Series leader Louise Paulin broke her collar bone a couple of weeks ago. She probably hasn't told her doctor that she's here racing this weekend as she doesn't want to lose too many points. At the top of the hill she was joking that she is riding like a girl, but the technical tracks here don't seem to be troubling her too much, although crashing wouldn't be good news.

With the EWS Valloire last weekend and the next round at La Thuile in a couple of weeks many riders made the trip over to come and race this weekend. Lars Sternberg raced here in Madesimo last year and liked it so much he came back with Ben Cruz to represent Team USA here in Italy.
  With the EWS Valloire last weekend and the next round at La Thuile in a couple of weeks, many riders made the trip over to come and race this weekend. Lars Sternberg raced here in Madesimo last year and liked it so much he came back with Ben Cruz to represent Team USA here in Italy.

Adam Craig is the third member of Team USA here this weekend. Even without the usual winnebago entourage and mechanics he s good and was replacing the chain he lost somewhere on stage 3 5 when we found him.
  Adam Craig is the third member of Team USA here this weekend. Even without the usual winnebago, entourage and mechanics he's good and was replacing the chain he lost somewhere on stage 3/5 when we found him.

Team USA travel in packs heading up to practice together.
  Team USA travel in packs, heading up to practice together.

Ask any photographer one of the keys to a great riding shot is background. In the dark woods it can be tricky fortunately Adam Craig is lucky enough to have friends like Lars Sternberg who are more than happy to provide some background to the action...
  Ask any photographer, one of the keys to a great riding shot is background. In the dark woods it can be tricky, fortunately Adam Craig is lucky enough to have friends like Lars Sternberg who are more than happy to provide some background to the action...

We doubt we ll see anyone taking this line come race day as it s both slower and a lot more difficult than the main one but that didn t stop Lars taking some time out from providing background to throw a trail huck into the mix.
  We doubt we'll see anyone taking this line come race day as it's both slower and a lot more difficult than the main one, but that didn't stop Lars taking some time out from providing background to throw a trail huck into the mix.

Ben Cruz has been gypsying it up since Valloire last weekend and will keen to back up his top ten there with a good result this weekend.
  Ben Cruz has been gypsying it up since Valloire last weekend and will keen to back up his top ten there with a good result this weekend.

Stages 2 4 6 start by the lift station but for the fun rooty stage 3 5 riders need to take a short pedal out from the lift station to the trailhead.
  Stages 2/4/6 start by the lift station, but for the fun, rooty stage 3/5 riders need to take a short pedal out from the lift station to the trailhead.

It s really cool to see Cannondale mechanic and the friendliest man in the EWS pits Matteo Nati on the other side of the tape this weekend. He was taking it so seriously he wouldn t even slow down to grab a decent shot of him in action...
  It's great to see Cannondale mechanic, and the friendliest man in the EWS pits, Matteo Nati on the other side of the tape this weekend. He was taking it so seriously he wouldn't even slow down to grab a decent shot of him in action...


This is actually a lot sketchier than it looks - the line is through a channel of awkward rocks and if it does rain then a small slip will be all too easy and very costly.
  This is actually a lot sketchier than it looks - the line is through a channel of awkward rocks and if it does rain then a small slip will be all too easy and very costly.

Another rider ignoring doctors orders in Manuel Ducci - he fractured his ankle just a month ago at the Tweedlove but was feeling good in practice so may line up on the start line tomorrow morning.
  Another rider ignoring doctors' orders in Manuel Ducci - he fractured his ankle just a month ago at the Tweedlove, but was feeling good in practice so may line up on the start line tomorrow morning.

The FRM team ignored the afternoon showers and were putting down trains through stage 3 5 to get their lines dialled for tomorrow. It was 12 months ago on this hillside that Alex Lupato won the Italian championship and he ll be keen to repeat that victory this weekend.
  The FRM team ignored the afternoon showers and were putting down trains through stage 3/5 to get their lines dialled for tomorrow. It was 12 months ago on this hillside that Alex Lupato won the Italian championship and he'll be keen to repeat that victory this weekend.

Katy Winton missed the first round of the EWS this year after injuring her wrist in Finale Ligure last year. So far she s put in solid rides on the internation stage since her return and looks set to be one of the favourites to take the win this weekend.
  Katy Winton missed the first round of the EWS this year after injuring her wrist in Finale Ligure last year. So far she's put in solid rides on the internation stage since her return and looks set to be one of the favourites to take the win this weekend.

Representing England this weekend is Wideopen Mags Mark Angry Bird Scott. With the weather looking to close on the Scot looks set to be right at home on the slick rooty trails.
  Representing England this weekend is Wideopen Mags Mark "Angry Bird" Scott. With the weather looking to close on, the Scot looks set to be right at home on the slick, rooty trails.

On stage 3 5 the taping has been left as wide as possible so riders face multiple line choices. Nukeproofs Greg Callaghan makes his selection and commits.
  On stage 3/5 the taping has been left as wide as possible so riders face multiple line choices. Nukeproofs Greg Callaghan makes his selection and commits.

With two days of practice and basically only three tracks to learn things took a relaxed pace this morning.
  With two days of practice and basically only three tracks to learn, things took a relaxed pace this morning, but when racing starts tomorrow it will be much less so...

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Author Info:
mattwragg avatar

Member since Oct 29, 2006
753 articles

28 Comments
  • 25 0
 Was that an ass or a vagina? I think that guy needs to get that checked out pronto :-/
  • 3 0
 Maybe it's bleached?
  • 9 0
 its wrong whatever it is...
  • 3 0
 rolanpoland thats the funniest comment ive ever read on Pinkbike im hysterical to the point of tears. I dont think the word pronto is used enough in sentences these days. No where near enough.
  • 1 6
flag tdunk (Jun 27, 2014 at 16:32) (Below Threshold)
 Oh come on PB - that was over the line and practically porn. Not cool.
  • 6 0
 C'dale mech running GT, hm hm...
  • 7 0
 matteo was last year mechanic for dan atherton and martin maes who ride for gt that is owned by the same holding that owns, hm hm... cannondale! Wink
  • 1 0
 he alaways had this bike since he lived here in finale ligure.
  • 4 0
 If I were that guy I wouldn't be so glad to have shown my assh*le worldwide ... prrrprr
  • 4 0
 I was wondering where I was going to get my daily dose of man-ass from.
  • 3 0
 The Lars crack in photo 9 is disquieting and would likely be a DNF if you fell into it.
  • 2 0
 eeeew, full bung
  • 5 0
 Yeah...that's a little more of Lars than I wanted to see.
  • 4 0
 yup something that unfortunately cannot be unseen
  • 1 0
 unabashedly fully spread & hilarious
  • 4 1
 Racing 2 weeks after breaking a collarbone is quite a story. I'd like to hear more on this.
  • 1 0
 Dude! Yes. I'm seven f*cking weeks out from a broken collarbone and I can't drive my stick shift Civic. Bike?! Not a chance.
  • 4 0
 thats not a moon, its full on anus. horrible
  • 2 0
 Broke collarbone and still racing for points. She gotta be smarter and wiser than that.
  • 2 0
 That ass or vagina..looks like it got F'ed up..seriously why does it look like that?
  • 1 0
 Dude looks like he got hemorrhoids.
  • 2 0
 yes owenpollock..."sO" just like that a*shole XD
  • 1 0
 That's what happens when you ride a long time without a saddle, just the post.
  • 1 0
 That track looks sOOOOOO Fun!
  • 1 0
 Looks like an amazing place. Putting Madesimo on my to-ride list.
  • 2 2
 Is the lefty getting sexy ??
  • 1 0
 OH GOD MY EYES
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