Video: Attempting To Keep Up With The Pros At The Enduro World Series

Jun 16, 2022
by Pinkbike Originals  


It's been 3 years since Christina raced in the Enduro World Series. Does she still have what it takes to keep up with the best of the best?





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Videos Enduro Racing Pinkbike Originals Sponsored Christina Chappetta Enduro World Series EWS Tweed Valley 2022


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148 Comments
  • 383 40
 Look at the positives. Better to bow out than to have done the E Bike class.
  • 35 23
 Comment gold!!!
  • 24 80
flag Matt115lamb (Jun 16, 2022 at 13:27) (Below Threshold)
 Be positive and dis another class ……classy !
  • 38 73
flag andypandyuk (Jun 16, 2022 at 14:01) (Below Threshold)
 @swellhunter She could have done the Ebike class and actually enjoyed it though.
  • 9 18
flag nvranka (Jun 16, 2022 at 14:23) (Below Threshold)
 @teamdoa: lmao this
  • 11 21
flag Schbeemb (Jun 16, 2022 at 15:37) (Below Threshold)
 @teamdoa: comment gold!
  • 17 40
flag enduroNZ (Jun 16, 2022 at 16:59) (Below Threshold)
 @swellhunter I’d love to see how well you would do in the e-ews or better still see you say this directly to Sick-Mick.
  • 5 3
 Oh geeze. The weekly Chappetta fix.
  • 23 3
 "It's better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid than open it and remove all doubt"
  • 8 41
flag HeatedRotor FL (Jun 16, 2022 at 22:42) (Below Threshold)
 or she couldve showed her body strength and done the Ebike class... Takes alot of upper body strength to do that class... but you wouldnt know because you chose the lighter bike to take down the hill. ie the easier one.
  • 9 2
 @Matt115lamb: spoken like a true E Bike rider!!
  • 4 4
 @swellhunter: Give it a few years mate Wink
  • 1 1
 For sure as long as you can sustain 6h race with over 60km, 3500m elevation and 14 stages.
  • 1 0
 What??? No Chappetta “bro” commentary??
  • 1 0
 @teamdoa: so true!
  • 113 1
 Racing is hard, especially when you are racing your past self. Props Christina, good effort.
  • 3 1
 Thanks for that!
  • 81 1
 Respect Christina! Met you at the bottom of stage 4 where you had just decided to call it a day. You looked proper gutted but still offered to help me fix my bike (the upside down Evil :-) ) even though you were visibly at a low point emotionally. It wasn't for any cameras or anything, just helping another rider out....says a lot about you as a person. Much appreciated
  • 3 0
 Thank you, I'm stoked you could carry on and you didn't looked stressed at all which helped me giggle a bit.
  • 74 0
 Nice to see some good transparency through mtb media. It seems like most of the content has “rose colored glasses”. This is real. Thanks for being real Christina.
  • 20 0
 yeah i liked how real this was, we don't always need forced good vibes, painful for Christina but it gave us a great perspective on how tough an EWS event is.
  • 22 0
 That's a very good point. It's one thing to do a 1600m day when you are out riding along but a whole other matter at race pace. Those 4 minute stages add up in a hurry and it's heavy on the anaerobic metabolism. Then when the stage is done it's all aerobic and you need be ready for the next DH race coming right up. Pro Enduro racers are absolute animals.
  • 1 0
 Cheers for that and glad you could see it. Not my brightest moment sot share but I did try to stay hopeful.
  • 55 3
 Christina you are so rad.
  • 34 1
 Dang. Really puts into perspective the kind of condition the pro riders are in. I wouldn't consider Christina a wally by any means and that looked tough for her. I'd be toasted after a single stage.

Tom always puts a smile on my face anyway Smile

Looking forward to Part 2.
  • 2 0
 Redemption is in order.
  • 32 0
 At 8.47
Pro tip by a french man : try real food, this is no bread, this is no ham and this is certainly no cheese !!!
This thing makes my stomach hurt just looking at it Big Grin
  • 4 1
 exactly... how are you expecting that to be even processed by a stressed-out body? I wouldn't be able even shit normal after that "food" Big Grin
  • 3 0
 what do you eat to fuel up?
  • 19 0
 @2wheelzgood: Hot Pockets
  • 18 1
 @2wheelzgood: a box of twinkies and one flaming hot flavored mountain dew.
  • 9 1
 @2wheelzgood: Try taco bells ! You will ride down fast, just not for the same reasons Smile
  • 5 1
 @Aksel31: The wind will always be blowing you along
  • 2 0
 and those potatoes... djesus. I would throw up as well
  • 28 2
 I think a good lesson here is to have a realistic understanding of your fitness. When I used to race enduro as a pro pack filler, I knew I couldnt do back to back big days on the bike. I also knew I was good at riding blind. I would try to just practice a couple of the easier to access stages and skip the others, just to get a good feel for the terrain and style of trails. Then I could be fresher and push myself on race day.
  • 3 0
 I found the same at my average ability and fitness. A big ride the day before a race and I was sure to blow up in the race. During the race i would often find that I was faster in a lot of places on the practice day. Plus riding during practice I found I was dropping my speed down to conserve energy so when the time came to go max speed, it was hard to find it.
  • 1 0
 Yeah for sure. If I almost never do such big days at home, I would never go to a race and think I can do two big days in a row, especially with race stages in between.
  • 27 1
 she had good times on the stages.
  • 8 1
 Was lookin top 5 for sure
  • 4 4
 these are not just only good after such long come back... she's defenetly there with the pros for the podium.
  • 22 0
 @PauRexs: she is not. She raced the EWS 100, not the Pro EWS.
On stage 2, she did a 3:40, Ella did a 3:00,
on stage 3 she did a 5:30, Ella did a 4:36
there is a huge difference between the top Pros and the EWS 100 top riders
  • 6 4
 @PauRexs: she was racing recreational riders not "pro's" and still got smoked. just look at the comparative times, she would be running bottom 3 in the pro's.
  • 3 0
 @bashhard: thanks for the clarification. I was wondering about that since it looked like she was putting up some fast times when they showed her results.
  • 2 0
 Appreciate that! I was finding the flow with each stage I felt but... apparently not haha
  • 1 0
 @bashhard: ought! I see... what's the point on having a non pro category in such pro event... If you won that "label" what you really won that puts you apart ? Damn it's ridiculous... specially from Pinkbike standards where they only looking for true competitions... I mean even Masters World Championships are undercovered here on PB cause too many age categories I'll say doesn't makes them serious enough seems... then some of PB stuff tries to trick us with this kill with fire category...
  • 22 1
 The most serious phrase I've heard Tom utter.

"All my pro-tips are potato based..." with no sarcasm.
  • 15 1
 @RonSauce potatoes are serious business....
  • 12 0
 The duo of Christina and Tom is great. Pro tip is potato based? I'll write that down. To bonk that bad and have to vomit is familiar to me, but luckily it's been years since I've gone though that. Sorry it hit you like that and you couldn't finish, but this is "a learning experience." That's what all shit moments are. Good luck at the next race! I'm excited to see how you do, and I look forward to Tom's next pro tip.
  • 13 0
 Sometimes your just not feeling it.Always another day. Tweed valley is pretty tough at the best of times.
  • 8 0
 This was brilliant. Big days out like this are hard and sometimes we all have a bad one, especially when doing back to bask . It’s great to see the suffering sometimes rather than just the smiles and high 5s. Redemption and resolution at the next EWS100 in Scotland, Christina?
  • 1 0
 I'll be back for more haha with a better remembering of how to race!
  • 11 0
 After 3 years. You don’t know where your at till you try. Props for giving it a go.
  • 8 0
 Hey Christina! What an effort! I remember you being the most positive rider in Sedona, and telling my wife and I that you were bummed that we hadn’t gotten the chance to ride together. I have remembered that as a huge highlight of that trip. You’re rad, and have the heart of a lion, keep doing and being you!
  • 1 0
 Thank you so much! Appreciate those kind words!
  • 9 0
 I bet the other racers on course were glad you brought such positive energy out there. Also Tom with the bonk care package was so cute. Y'all are good for mountain biking.
  • 8 0
 "Maybe the rocks will get less slippery"
*everyone in Scotland shaking their heads.
  • 4 0
 Also I really enjoyed this video, nice to see the PB guys/gals over here! This EWS day is about as brutal as it's possible to make it in that area, and those tracks are rough as hell. Big props for getting as far as you did!
  • 4 0
 The pressure of knowing you're documenting this to put it out may have made this a bit harder.
Sometimes, the more we compile on a task, the harder it is to simplify it and not let it drain us.
But, ya had a job to do, you did it and can still walk and talk.
Sort it out, improve the "how's," and best of luck to you.
  • 8 0
 Tom with the king of stoke is definitely a big lift during the day
  • 2 0
 Big necessary lift haha
  • 6 0
 I can hardly wait for the redemption follow-up episode! Your positive kind passes were the best! Way to be inspirational out there when you were feeling horrible.
  • 4 0
 Honest question...is it normal to pass people in an enduro stage? I would have guessed that since you are spaced out at the start and the stages are not too long that you would not generally catch the rider in front.
  • 9 0
 The enduros I've raced only have you spaced apart by either 20 or 30 secs, so yeah, there's overtaking to be done. Polite & loud I feel is the way! :-)
  • 3 0
 it's normal when you're fastish As that was happening, I kept thinking maybe those people were pacing themselves.
  • 2 0
 @mexicanoportugal: do pro's get more time between? I was wondering this too.
  • 6 1
 I would assume that you get seeded by past results- and with Christina being away for so long she was put back with the plebs when really she is a gladiator.
  • 3 0
 @Sscottt: Not sure, but the pros start order is based on ranking, so fastest racers are starting closer to other fastest racers not the slower ones. They might still catch competitors due to the mechanical or crash and in this case its fair play to let faster rider pass
  • 3 0
 @Sscottt: nope but they tend to be closer in pace so only a few seconds separate their times making it all good. Even then occasionally one gets caught.
  • 1 0
 practice runs, lots of folk just doing sighting runs etc.
  • 2 0
 Those were my race runs where I did most of the passing. The women's EWS100 field was pretty big so there were a few of us on track at once with 20-30s gaps. Less likely to happen in the pro field but passing still definitely happens there too.
  • 1 0
 @christinachappetta: Thanks Christina!
  • 5 0
 Damn those were good times ! Smile Just get some cardio workout going on and you can do it !!!
  • 6 0
 In her case the cardio didn't seem to be the problem. I have a sensitive stomach too, and part of my training exercise for long days out is digesting during efforts. You have to get used to that too. And important to stick to the familiar things you've trained during race day too. Always a bad moment to try new stuff at the important moments...
  • 1 0
 @KoenR: Good reminder to practice some of these things before my next attempt.
  • 6 4
 We all know Christina's got the chops to complete this race. It would be embarrassing to have a PB staffer reporting on the race get a place on the podium. I smell a strategic exit to make sure that didn't happen. Just sayin. Nice to watch either way.
  • 1 0
 hah thanks for that! Appreciate the support. Next time... I'll get em' next time
  • 8 2
 Personal opinion: This is why just riding is more fun than racing.
  • 3 0
 Respect for pushing it to the limit!! Christina and Tom always taking care of each other, Tom with the bonk care package reminded me of Christina showing up with snacks and a beer on Tom's epic hardtail day
  • 6 0
 is there a Part2???
  • 1 0
 definitely maybe!
  • 4 0
 Christina, great job. Question: Do you think if you had skipped the practice day you would have felt better on race day?
  • 1 0
 I could have completed the race day if I skipped the practice I recon but that's never been in the cards for me. I always hit practice day. Maybe worth trying a comparison for another round haha just race it blind!
  • 4 0
 Great video. I would be curious to hear what kind of training you did in advance of the event.
  • 1 0
 hahah not much... unfortunately. Been too busy with life lately and winter was a long one here in BC so I should probably try harder with that...
  • 3 2
 Something, something, something should have been and article with stills and not a video..... jk, Great Job Christina! I hope to see more videos of you showing just how hard it is to be competitive in this sport. DNF on paper but first in our hearts!
  • 1 0
 You legend, thank you!
  • 4 0
 Impressive times, bummer you couldn't finish it up I'm sure! But gotta take care of you first. Kudos for getting out there.
  • 2 0
 nice video, this is exactly how I imagine ENDURO RACE feels and a reason I would not try one Big Grin I will just watch other people suffering on youtube while riding a gondola up in DH park Big Grin
  • 3 2
 Awesome, well done Christina (the people's champ, keepin the competition stoked), having not been racing for a while that's an impressive effort, only bettered by Tom cycling the coffee up the hill. In the next episode if the coffee is cold, Christina should throw it in his face and send him down for another
  • 1 0
 I've only really bonked once. I hope to never do it again. There is little chance of doing anything remotely physically or mentally taxing for at least the next 24 hrs apart from stuffing your face with food and lying on the couch sleeping/watching TV. I can't thank the fellow enough who picked me up 20km's from home and drove me to my door, as well as giving me beer on the truck ride home. I probably should have known better than to try and ride the 50km of road each way to practice 3 laps of the Hammerfest XC race course with my far too in shape buddy. Live and learn.
  • 3 0
 Great effort you have the skills just need to work on that long day endurance. Peanut butter and honey sandwiches!
  • 1 1
 Canadian pro tip for you - maple syrup baby! (ok, I'm really not much of a pro, and maybe it wouldn't tide me through a full 5 stages but its all I use for anything under 5 hours these days, supplemented occasionally with bars and maybe the odd cheeseburger or baconfest).
  • 2 0
 As a Vermonter, a transplant at least, I've had bad luck with maple. Jelly beans are a good source of emergency sugar for me but solid food is best IMO. Maple has it's fans though...
  • 3 0
 @Sscottt: Fair enough. I got hooked on maple syrup when I got some maple syrup based gels for Christmas one year and found they were the only thing that stayed liquid at sub-freezing temperatures (we fat bike down into the -20C range all winter long). When I realized that these gels were mostly just straight up maple syrup with a little bit of ginseng, I started just buying bulk maple syrup from Costco instead.
  • 2 0
 @leftypumpkin: my 'pro' tip is marzipan. Basically mushed up almonds and sugar. Over here you can buy it in a lump in supermarkets. It gets pretty sickly quite fast, but at least that stops you from having too much in one hit. Sugar for the fast hit, nuts for the slower burn. Seems to work well enough. Plain, solid food before and after the ride though!
  • 1 0
 just eat a f*cking apple eh?
  • 1 0
 @valrock: a what? Look where that got Adam and Eve? Or was it Adam and Steve, I forget....
  • 1 1
 @Tambo: sorry my IQ is a little more than that of a snail so I am not religious. But apple has sugar and fibre, much better for fueling than sandwiches with cheese that will just clog up your arteries
  • 3 1
 @valrock: you have to be stupid to be religious. And not being religious doesn't make you clever. Enjoy your apple.
  • 1 0
 I like this plan... I may put it into action
  • 2 0
 @valrock: my usual go-to's are oranges and apples but as I didn't have much in the belly to begin with, I was sure the acidity would be a bad choice... Turns out anything I did was a bad choice haha
  • 2 0
 This was great! Thanks for taking us along. I have a kid there racing and this was great to actually see what it's like! Mad props to you Christina.
  • 2 0
 Enjoyed this. Strong work CC. The most successful people I know learn more from their failures than their triumphs and embrace them as such. Stay psyched.
  • 2 0
 Two days of back to back 1500m + climbing days is a big ask for anyone. too bad you didn't finish but now you know your limits, good luck next round
  • 4 0
 Looks like she didn't want to show them all up with the times she had.
  • 3 0
 Her stage times were top 5 in EWS 100 not pro. Over the 3 stages completed Christina was about 2mins 30s slower than Ella!
  • 1 0
 And that's what Ella was on the top of the podium in Pro.
  • 2 0
 I thoroughly enjoyed watching this. Way to go Christina! IMO it was smart to stop when you did. You gave it all you could give (for now!), and that is super inspiring.
  • 2 0
 That was a great watch and this is not the most important takeaway from the video but I'm hella jealous of the hip mobility on display at 9:25
  • 2 0
 "sick noises" That sums up my racing career in two words lol!
Awesome job Christina, now I know I can't go near that level (yet...)
  • 2 0
 Those split times! Sometimes you’ve got to call it, mad respect for listening to your body and not digging that hole deeper!
  • 3 0
 Really just want that Fox Proframe RS helmet. Finally an adjustable visor!
  • 3 0
 Is that a new fox proframe?
  • 1 0
 Was wondering the same thing.
  • 1 0
 @BMMTB37: it is, Proframe RS. bikerumor.com/fox-proframe-rs-mips-integra-split-full-face-helmet
  • 2 0
 Good video that, enjoyed it. Trails look so good, deffo going to have to make a trip this year!
  • 2 0
 Good luck next time! Kudos for putting your pride on the line and putting that up for our viewing pleasure. Cheers!
  • 1 0
 This is my life now hahah glad you could at least enjoy it
  • 2 0
 Mad respect to Christina, but I’ve suffered enough in my life, I just want to ride my bike.
  • 2 0
 Good stuff Christina as always. Makes me homesick - I started riding a stone's throw from there at Glentress...
  • 1 0
 This was a great video. Pretty courageous to put yourself out there and on the internet. Leave it to Tom for the potato-based protips as comic relief.
  • 1 0
 Thanks for the kind words. It was a tough decision to put the "failed" video out there but ah well. The internet already eats me up haha why not more?!
  • 2 0
 This just makes me want to race an ews even more! Love it when it all gets a bit dark...not sure what's wrong with my head
  • 3 0
 Her pass etiquette makes me feel like I'm a total a-hole.
  • 2 0
 Shame she didn’t finish, some pretty decent times there.
  • 1 0
 Christina , what's that you are wearing around your waist?

Is that a layer? Or a waist bag of some sort?
  • 2 1
 Even though you had to bow out, you inspired me to ride my bike. A true role model in this sport…
  • 3 2
 Word is that riders came with or rented e bikes for practice to be fresh on race day.
  • 2 1
 What a legend. Appreciate your fortitude and passing manners! Awesome skills, chapeau!
  • 3 0
 "potato based" I lol'd
  • 2 0
 But I also...
  • 2 0
 Video is private?
  • 6 2
 There was a glitch at the end, we're just re-uploading - hang tight!
  • 2 1
 So good Christina. You’re a boss girl.
  • 1 0
 thats a pfp if I ever saw one
  • 1 0
 TIL: they drive on the left in Scotland.
  • 3 1
 You rock Christina!
  • 1 0
 That looks real tough! I had no idea!
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