2016 Superenduro Round 4: Santa Caterina, Race Day

2016 SUPERENDURO ROUND 4
SANTA CATERINA VALFURVA - RACE DAY
WORDS AND PHOTOS BY BEN WINDER

Race day arrived here in Santa Caterina for the final round of the Superenduro (Italian Enduro Series). Along with the race atmosphere so did the rain, torrential. This really put a spanner in the works, the initial worry was for the rider’s safety, the organisers weren’t sure it was fair to ask riders to head up to 3000m in freezing, rainy and snowy conditions. This was confirmed when the gondola wasn’t able to run either. This forced changes in the schedule for the race, and unfortunately ended up with two of the stages totally cut, and half of another.

The race was now stage one as planned, then riders would take on a two-hour climb high into the mountains, and reach the half-way point of stage three, race the remainder of stage three and then to the final stage. The weather is always going to be a potential issue for riding in the mountains, they’re unpredictable and sometimes dangerous, but perhaps that’s an element that attracts us to them as mountain bikers, their untouched and pristine beauty.

As it’s the final round it wasn’t just about the racing on the day, the overall still needed to be decided, the trails still needed to provide a challenge to allow the best rider to win. This was a worry considering half of the race had to be cut, but what we lost in distance was made up for in the technical difficulty that the rain brought on.

With a glimpse of the tall mountains poking through the cloud at the top of stage 3.

With a glimpse of the tall mountains poking through the cloud at the top of stage three.

Torrential.

We heard reports of a few riders waking up and partly wishing the race was cancelled, it's easy to see why from peering through a window into the heavy rain. By the end of the day, there were big smiles and riders were talking about the amazing riding is here.

The mountains creating such unpredictable weather.

But as they say, the show must go on. It is the final race of the series after all.

The morning resulted in big questions about tyres being asked. Full wet, wet front and then pressures too. We saw a mix, some riders opted to just run lower pressures with dry tyres.

The weather didn't stop the fans and supporters.

A weekend filled with tough decisions for Enrico Guala (and the entire team), a tough decision to cut half of your race.

A man that could potentially take the overall this weekend, Vittorio Gambirasio

Jessica Bormolini (Left), Louise Paulin (centre), Anna Oberparleiter (right).

Goggle protection for the long climbs.

And the race begins riders set of from the town and begin their climb to the first stage.

And the race begins, riders set off from the town and begin the climb to the first stage.

The first stage was all in the woods, littered with roots which had been polished up by the rain.

The brown snake that was the trail, was still running well in the morning.

Hold on and hope. This was one tough off-camber section.

The corners still remained intact which did keep the pace of the race fast.

The corners still remained intact which did keep the pace pretty fast.

The roots caught a fair few victims.

High hopes to take the overall this weekend for Vittorio Gambirasio, were stunned on the first stage where he took a big crash in one of the more technical sections.

Left in the dirt.

Riders had a time check after the first stage.

With Gambirasio out of contention for the overall now, these two men had their eyes on the prize. Marco Milivinti (left) was in the lead in the overall but was sitting in second place on the day. Fastest on stage 1, Alex Lupato (right). With all to play for between these two, the race was still on.

Chasing the coveted number one spot.

A big two-hour climb to the mid-point of stage three in the pouring rain, really tested the riders will. The ground was frozen at the start, it didn't take riders long to get cold at the top.

Racing ensued though.

The racers had to navigate through a rock field, it was necessary to maintain your speed through here...

...but hit a slippery rock too quickly and you hit the floor pretty fast.

The trail does go somewhere through this big rock field.

Sara De Leo had her eye on the prize but a crash on stage one which ripped her front brake off she was out of contention of the win early on in the day.

Sara De Leo had her eye on the prize but a crash on stage one which ripped her front brake off saw her out of contention for a win early on in the day.

A solid result for Martino Fruet, 3rd position today.

Anna Oberparleiter powering her way to a 2nd place.

Second placed Marcello Pesenti.

Alex Lupato s race was shattered with a puncture on stage 3.

Alex Lupato's race was shattered with a puncture on stage three.

Finish of stage three.

To the final stage it was a blast down the road here Alex Lupato manualing down after fixing his puncture.

The final stage was a blast down the road, here Alex Lupato manuals down after fixing his puncture.

Stage 5 became super slippery and almost a different track to the morning. The race used the same trail for stage 1 and 5 .

Stage five became super slippery and almost a different track to the morning. (The race used the same trail for stage one and five).

Louise Paulin took the win in the women's and also the overall today.

After Alex Lupato's puncture, Marco Milivinti just had to get down safely to take the overall. He got down safely.

He came down safely and fast. He took the overall win and the win on the day too.

Louise Paulin said she didn't feel like she was riding fast or well. But consistency in these conditions really does pay.

The winners. Louise and Marco.

Disappointed by the day, Alex Lupato.

A pretty happy Martino Fruet, 3rd place for him today.

Results

Men's:

1st: Marco Milivinti
2nd: Marcello Pesenti
3rd: Martino Fruet

Women's:

1st: Louise Paulin
2nd: Anna Oberparleiter
3rd: Jessica Bormolini