Practice Photo Epic: Racers Ready - EWS Rotorua 2019
Photo Epic presented by ODI
After two days of training the opening round of the 2019 Enduro World Series is now upon us. Riders will set out on Sunday to tackle 5 fresh stages while chasing after those ever important overall series points. So far things have stayed dry and even blown out in spots, quite the contrast to the mud that domintated previous races here. For once the sheer speed of the trails darting through the tight woods will be the real challenge rather than simply trying to survive the day.
The day will start and end on some rather blown out trails in the skyline bike park, with three more stages in between taking place across town in the Whakarewarewa forest. With the current conditions, it will be important for the riders to adapt to ever-changing lines as many of the loose sections will surely begin to deteriorate as racing gets underway.
As always all eyes will be on Sam Hill for the men, and with Cecile Ravanel out with an injury in the women's race, it is Isabeau Courdurier's chance to shine. But it's a new year and anything can and will happen.
New Zealand. The land of the long white cloud.
Two stages take place in the bike park while the other three can be found deep in the jungle.
Rain has threatened a few times, but so far nothing substantial has materialized.
All eyes will be on this man, Sam Hill, as he tries to win the title for the third straight year.
Jesse Melamed was flying thought the loose turns mid way down stage five.
Mark Scott surfing the dust on stage one
Greg Callaghan is on the hunt for the podium. The Irishman is looking for a banner season this year.
Sideways on the ground. Because Sideways is the right way.
Andreane Lanthier Nadeau through the countless roots on stage four.
Keegan Wright has been absolutely pinned in training and could definitely be a contender for the podium.
Adrien Daily is back after being out with injury for most of last season. How fast will the Frenchman be going here in Rotorua?
Ruaridh Cunningham finds a better line through the deep ruts of stage four.
Katy Winton is looking to push up in the ranks and grab a win or two this season.
Rhys Verner flying through the jungle of stage two.
The Gherigs are slinging coffee between runs and it's damn good.
Josh Carlson in the thick of it on stage two.
Dan Wolfe nears the finish of stage five.
Miranda Miller has been looking up to speed and comfortable on her new setup here in Rotorua.
Max Chapuis in his new Specialized colors.
Kelan Grant glides over the roots on stage four.
Flying Flo always seems to have a light front end. That front wheel is constantly up in the air.
Kevin Miquel gets into the meat of stage three.
Wyn Masters just looking utterly brilliant here on the tracks of Rotoura.
Sam Hill's bright kit is easy to spot even in the dark forest.
Isabeau Coudurier drops through the woods on stage two
Eddie Masters amongst the greenery on stage two
Sam Blenkinsop is doing the crossover this week from EWS to DH and back again.
Cody Kelley on the bottom of stage two
Loose and dusty was the theme of the two stages that make their way down the Skyline bike park.
Ines Thoma tucks in to the jungle on stage one.
Florian Nicolai enters the snake pit on stage three.
If there were ever a spoiler to Sam Hill's dominance of the past two seasons it is this man, Martin Maes.
O.G. New Zealand shredder Kieran Bennett fitting into a tight spot
Out for a rip on Stage five
Defending U21 Women's champ Ella Conolly is making the jump to the senior ranks this season.
Leigh Johnson gets down and dusty on stage one. The ruts are getting deep as in powder bru.
Lewis Buchanan has been fighting through the flu this week and is hoping his energy levels get back to normal by the weekend.
Lewis Buchanan kicking up some dust on stage one.
Lewis getting loose in the very next corner as well.
Dimitri Tordo near the bottom of stage three.
A wrist brace for Lapeyrie who is still nursing some broken bones suffered a month ago in Chile.
Thomas Lapeyrie carves one of the very tight corners at the bottom of stage two
Even in the shade it was hot and humid in the forest on the first day of training
Mark Scott relaxing in the pits between runs
Final preparations going on late into the evening.
Bikes are prepped and waiting for the first big race of the season
Previously:
• Course Preview: Blown Out - EWS Rotorua 2019
• Video: Sam Hill POV - EWS Rotorua 2019
• Video: Course Preview - EWS Rotorua 2019
MENTIONS: @Odigrips / @EnduroWorldSeries / @davetrumpore / @mdelorme
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Member since Feb 26, 2008
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