Video: Full Highlights - EWS Madeira 2019

 I like it...

 @dobermon: exactly...way loose this EWS is getting, and the risk...I LOVE IT!

 @TrevZ we'll look into it!

 I actually wish the pictures in photo epics were just a bit smaller too.

 @dobermon: He always looks smooth like that. He crashed,and literally said he was trying to win every stage but it wasn't working. I'm pretty confident he was hanging it out too. (still my favorite rider right now, FFL)

 Can't agree enough with this. I literally can't see the top and bottom of the video at the same time on my laptop. Even giving the video a 50px margin on either side would be better--would shrink it down so that it actually fits in my viewport, while not sacrificing much real estate.

 @dobermon: Ya, he just see's things differently, better, straighter, smoother on the trails!

 10/10 would have rather not done that haha

 Riding in Portugal after lunch sometimes ends like that.

 @miguelcurto: haha

 Working on it!

 Oooops. Thanks!

 Florian Nicolai

 Flo's riding style (at race pace no less) is sick. I still remember his Rocky Mountain vid from way back.

 @ssip: yep...style at race pace...ratboy too!

 True, but only because he took the wrong line

 @Lanebobane: the fun lines

 in the rocky days melamed said once that he understands only half of the stuff flo does. he is especially awesome at slow hairpin stuff, there is even a gif where he nosepivots over a big step into a manual ( also in an ews racerun).

 @optimumnotmaximum:
Florian Nicolai
gfycat.com/madinferioratlasmoth
same corner different riders
m.youtube.com/watch?v=we5ljCHShyE

 @jurcadan: That is nuts, especially when you see how difficult it is from the other pros... Thanks!

 @jurcadan: Thanks! Been looking for that exact footage haha I must've watched it a zillion times when it first came out lol I've seen a lot of other French (Fabien Barel and Jerome Clementz come to mind) and German riders doing it in races. Definitely a skill I try to practice more and more of now but trying to execute on trail is tough...and scary lol

 @jurcadan: yes thats it , thx

 @ssip: Flo is a madman. I produced/edited that Rocky Mountain video and his riding makes absolutely no sense. So damn stoked to see him at the pointy end these days!

 He was apparently wearing elbow guards for that crash, they either slipped off his elbow or weren't heavy duty enough.

 crazy man...making all kinds of shapes...his ability to handle something thrown in front of you at race pace is amazing

 how bout live coverage like some surf events...like half hour before the start and through the whole event right up to the podium...then highlights for those who don't have the time!

 @rcrdrvr:
A: So not practical - you'd know this if you'd attended an EWS. The tracks are spread out over an enormous distance. The closest to live coverage will be like in Colombia in 2017 - with a TV station filming the last (super short, semi-urban) stage on live TV.

B: I don't want live coverage. The downsides for the sport massively outweigh viewership.
Downsides being media and sponsors controlling stages and venues to *make* it more media-friendly.

Enduro is a sport for the racers, and for mountainbikers in general. Gods forbid Redbull snakes control of it.

 I would be happy with a better live timing, this year is way worst than the last.

 @thenotoriousmic: Enduro is primaly a participant sport, not a spectator one. They're out on a mountain all day to find out who's fastest, not for anyone's entertainment.
Real mountain biking is not much of a spectator sport.

 @nozes: yeah but if you want the sport to grow and have funding then it needs to appeal to the fans doesn’t it?

 @thenotoriousmic: Yes. And at least to me, as a fan, the EWS is very appealing.
Plenty of build up videos, interviews,a good race news feed and live timing,and a fantastic 20 min highlights vídeo just hours after the race is done.
I don't miss the TV coverage, to be honest.
The Whistler round has TV coverage for the last stage, and it isn't very good IMO.

 @nozes: exactly it’s all stuff other people do is where you find the best coverage. All we get is a crappy 15 min highlight video where it’s all in slow motion and half of it is stage results which we’ve all seen because refreshing the EWS page is the only way to follow the race. Actually f*ck it I’m done with EWS they had their chance I’m not wasting anymore time trying to follow it.

 @thenotoriousmic: I think you'll find Enduro (not just the EWS) has grown massively over the last 5-10 years. As old mate said, it's primarily a participation sport, not a spectator one.

But that participation level is huge! Most decent mountain bikers can complete a regional/local Enduro race. It appeals to the masses who can ride a weekend with their mates in 'Sport' class, and walk away feeling great. At the same time it caters to those smashing it out for the podiums.

 @EnduRowan: It’s not as big as it was though and it’s still the same old dated format where they flog primarily gravity riders with a 45km bike ride that you have absolutely no chance of covering live only to send them down 25 min stages where the riders absolutely can’t go flat out by their standards. What’s the point? They say it’s about finding the worlds greatest mountain biker then make it a mountain bike ride. Absolutely nobody would ride a 25 min in one run unless they had to and nobody would go on a 6km transfer just to get to a trail right next to the one they’ve just ridden. Cut out all the nonsense out. Put all the tracks near each other so the fans can see the action and actually make it about who can ride the tracks the fastest because that’s what we’re all really interested in. I want to see the worlds best going flat out not worn out carefully pacing themselves down a massive stage.

 @EnduRowan: low key coverage...anything extra. Most surf events like I said are sometimes pretty crap coverage live then a highlight reel is put together later from all the footage. Most of the time done by a local broadcast co or TV station. I definitely don't want red bull to cover the event they suck shit...add music to every clip turning them into adds and so on. Hate their coverage of rally events, but its all we can get in the US without paying a pretty penny for wrc.com.

 @EnduRowan: exactly like Columbia 2017...mostly for us riders who just can't get enough. Love the dirt and terrain of all the diff places all over the world, people, weather, everything. Hopefully local coverage with a live feed to FB or you tube or something...most viewers would be fellow bikers and the ones that aren't would watch the highlights already available at most...hell most don't have an attention span past 2 or 3 minutes nowadays with so much social media influence...that's why i mentioned this format...only fans and bikers would want to be immersed for that long of coverage.

 @EnduRowan: www.youtube.com/watch?v=EyUDnZfJR28

kinda like this...which by the way, I'm stoked for all this coverage this year!

 when I saw that I was wondering if he had a new sunglass sponsor

 Haha the interviewer happened to have the same glasses as the ones I was wearing so I figured I would double up! Protect your eyes!

 Bryn don't rile the people up!

 Give us a break! We are just a small country, unknown or often mistaken as a part of Spain, and we are very proud of Jose Borges path in the EWS, from nobody to a podium guy! Apologies for the extra excitement! BTW @JesseMelamed great save at 13:55! Love your riding style and keep up with the full stages preview/training on your youtube channel! Cheers

 @tiagofernandex: I had Jose on my fantasy team for this round!
Thanks! I will keep it up.

 I think he got his wings last week

 thinking the same...the shape and bike handling gained from racing EWS is insane...all those top guys could probably podium at world cup dh as well. Wonder if Sam will give it a crack again. Can anyone believe Atherton took it to Hart at Fort William...wish i could see those full runs.

 Maes is wilder though!

 Yeah, the person at 15:18 still riding with half the handlebar (including brake lever) just dangling.

 love watching Sam ride. he just looks like he's out for a week end ride with the boys