2016 French Enduro Series – Round One: Raon l’Etape
We’re here at the first round of the 2016 French Enduro Series in Raon l’Etape, which is located in the heart of the Vosges. It’s a picturesque French town, with lots of greenery and stunning rolling hills. The French Enduro Series format runs a little different to others, the riders aren’t allowed any practice until Saturday when they get one practice run on each trail. Here they will race the first stage at the end of Saturday, to help with seeding for Sunday. Racing fully commences on Sunday, starting in Raon and finishing in Raon.
The French Enduro Series is fully embracing E-bike racing, and so are the riders. We will see Nico Vouilloz racing in the E-bike category here. We still aren't sure what to make of it, but it’s been well received here in France.
![Today was a bit of a quiet day in Raon l Etape because practice is forbidden until Saturday.]()
![Raon is nestled in woodland with a river splitting the town in two.]()
![Lots of greens out here it s feeling like summer again]()
![French boulangerie.]()
![Raon l Etape.]()
![Five minutes down the road home some absolutely stunning lakes.]()
![Irenee Menjou C rider at Lourdes WC was enjoying the view of the lakes out the back of his home on wheels he prioritised his bed whilst building his van conversion.]()
![2016 French Enduro Series Round One Raon l Etape]()
![2016 French Enduro Series Round One Raon l Etape]()
![2016 French Enduro Series Round One Raon l Etape]()
![Raon l Etape suffered very badly in the Second World War and are many monuments and reminders of the loss.]()
![Olivier is part of the local MTB organisation who helped put this all together CSA Raonnais.]()
![2016 French Enduro Series Round One Raon l Etape]()
![The legendary Nico Vouilloz.]()
![Rider registration in the local sports hall.]()
![2016 French Enduro Series Round One Raon l Etape]()
![Fresh plates who will be carrying the number 1 plate after this weekend]()
![Last minute plate modifications.]()
![All the riders were super excited to get their hands on the course map to see what they ll be up against.]()
![A favourite for this weekend Cecile Ravenel.]()
![2016 French Enduro Series Round One Raon l Etape]()
![Baptiste Gaillot telling riding stories We ve all done these hand gestures once or twice.]()
![The beauty of this format practice prohibited until Saturday is that you re able to roll on up after work on Friday and not be at a massive disadvantage.]()
![Last year s elite women s champion - Axelle Murigneux.]()
![The trophies.]()
![See you tomorrow.]()
The French Enduro Series is fully embracing E-bike racing, and so are the riders. We will see Nico Vouilloz racing in the E-bike category here. We still aren't sure what to make of it, but it’s been well received here in France.
Friday was a bit of a quiet day in Raon l'Etape, practice is forbidden until Saturday.
Raon is nestled in woodland with a river splitting the town in two.
Lots of greens out here, it's feeling like summer again!
French boulangerie.
Raon l'Etape.
Five minutes down the road home some absolutely stunning lakes.
Irenee Menjou ('C' rider at Lourdes WC) was enjoying the view of the lakes out the back of his home on wheels, he prioritised his bed whilst building his van conversion.
Raon l'Etape suffered very badly in the Second World War and there are many monuments and reminders of the loss.
Olivier is part of the local MTB organisation who helped put this all together, CSA Raonnais.
The legendary, Nico Vouilloz.
Rider registration in the local sports hall.
Fresh plates, who will be carrying the number 1 plate after this weekend...
Last minute plate modifications.
All the riders were super excited to get their hands on the course map to see what they'll be up against.
A favourite for this weekend, Cecile Ravenel.
Baptiste Gaillot telling riding stories... We've all done these hand gestures once or twice.
The beauty of this format (practice is prohibited until Saturday) is that you're able to roll on up after work on Friday and not be at a massive disadvantage.
Last year's elite women's champion - Axelle Murigneux.
The trophies.
See you later.
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And yes Raon was close to the battle line during 1st war, my great-grandfather fought close from Raon.