Day Two Race Action: EWS 2016 Round Two, Bariloche

Apr 3, 2016 at 20:10
by Dave Trumpore  
Bariloche EWS 2016


FRESH BLOOD

WORDS AND PHOTOS BY DAVE TRUMPORE




There are moments when you realize that all has changed, and for enduro racing, this weekend may have been one of them. While the story seemed very familiar last week in Chile, a quick scan through the top of the results sheets here in Argentina reveals a lot of new names. There seems to be a new wave of riders coming through right now, which in turn means the fight for the top spots this season will be more exciting than we could ever have hoped for. What made it all the more interesting here in Bariloche, was how level the playing field seemed to be all weekend, with practice offering only a vague hint of where the track might be for race runs. Ruts got deeper, holes bigger and berms were obliterated, so it all came down to who would adapt and react best to what was in front of them. It didn't matter so much what line you were on - as long as you could ride that line fast. Blind enduro racing may be gone from EWS competition, but this was definitely the next-best thing.


It s been a rough few days here in Bariloche. Strap yourself in and hold on.
It's been a rough few days here in Bariloche. Strap yourself in and hold on.

One last chance to prep the bikes before the finale stages of the weekend served up a thrashing.
One last chance to prep the bikes before the final stages of the weekend serve up their thrashing.

The calm before the storm... Everywhere you look you are reminded of how beautiful the Patagonia region of Argentina really is.
The calm before the storm. Everywhere you look, you are reminded of how beautiful the Patagonia region of Argentina is.

Bariloche EWS 2016

In contrast to the calm beauty of the venue s surroundings things looked far more violent up close.
In contrast to the calm beauty of the venue's surroundings, things looked far more violent up close.

After a breakout performance last weekend in Chile Seb Claquin went one better to claim the top spot in Bariloche.
After a breakout performance last weekend in Chile, U21 Seb Claquin went one better to claim the top spot in Bariloche.

It s good to see Adrien Dailly has some stiff competition in the U21 category this season.
It's good to see Adrien Dailly has some stiff competition in the U21 category this season.

Because doing wheelies out of loamy corners is fun.
Because doing wheelies out of loamy corners is fun.

Luke Strobel had a good outing today to finish 25th in conditions that couldn t be any different form his Pacific Northwest home.
Luke Strobel had a good outing today to finish 25th in conditions that couldn't be more different from his Pacific Northwest home.

Rae Morrison looked fast and aggressive all weekend but sadly that could only translate to a 6th place finish.
Rae Morrison looked fast and aggressive all weekend, but sadly, she could only translate that to a 6th-place finish.

Moody mornings as the sun burned away the fog and frost.
Moody mornings as the sun burned away the fog and frost.

Anneke Beerten had an off weekend and struggled a bit in conditions that to be honest no one could have been prepared for. 5th place means she will be looking for redemption when we all meet again in Ireland.
Anneke Beerten had an off weekend and struggled a bit in conditions that, to be honest, no one was prepared for. Fifth place means she will be looking for redemption when we all meet again in Ireland.

Isabeau Cordurrier looked poised for her best ever EWS finish but was pushed back to 3rd by a hard charging Casey Brown.
Isabeau Courdurier looked poised for her best ever EWS finish but was pushed back to 3rd by a hard charging Casey Brown.

Caro Gehrig slipped down a few spots at well on Sunday to finish 7th after a long hard battle with the Argentinian dust.
Caro Gehrig slipped down a few spots at well on Sunday to finish 7th after a long hard battle with the Argentinian dust.

After a good start to the season in Chile Ines Thoma backed it up with a strong performance in Argentina to take 4th.
After a good start to the season in Chile, Ines Thoma backed it up with a strong performance in Argentina to take fourth.

Casey Brown was on fire all weekend racing her first ever EWS round. She even managed to win the final stage of the day en route to 2nd overall. It s good to see some new blood in the mix.
Casey Brown was on fire all weekend racing her first ever EWS round. She even managed to win the final stage of the day enroute to 2nd overall. It's good to see some new blood in the mix.

Cecile Ravanel... simply unstoppable in Argentina.
Cecile Ravanel... simply unstoppable in Argentina.

The top three women from the EWS in Bariloche Argentina.
(From left) Casey Brown, Cecile Ravanel and Isabeau Courdurier - the top three women in Bariloche, Argentina.

Bariloche EWS 2016

Bariloche EWS 2016

Iago Garay had a top 10 yesterday on stage 2 which must have lit a bit of a fire under him as he was pinned all day finishing an awesome 13th. His highest EWS finish ever.
Iago Garay had a top ten yesterday on stage two, which must have lit a fire under him, as he was pinned all day, finishing an awesome 13th - His highest EWS finish ever.

An off weekend for Yoann would only net him 17th.
An off weekend for Yoann would only net him 17th place.

Fully committed and even with a few big crashes Lewis Buchanan improved on his 13th from last weekend to take 7th spot in Bariloche. Keep your eye on this guy as he is quickly making a name for himself amongst the EWS ranks.
Fully committed: even with a few big crashes, Lewis Buchanan improved on his 13th from last weekend to take 7th spot in Bariloche. Keep your eye on this guy. He is quickly making a name for himself amongst the EWS ranks.

Consistency is the name of the game when you have a long season and a variety of tracks to race and with two top 10 finishes in the opening two rounds Damien Oton is right where he needs to be.
Consistency is the name of the game when you have a long season and a variety of tracks to race. With two top ten finishes in the opening rounds, Damien Oton is right where he needs to be.

The dust hung extra heavy in the air at the finish of stage 6 as Nico Lau roared down the final chute to take 5th. After a bit of a tough season on 2015 it s good to see him back fighting for the top spots.
The dust hung extra heavy in the air at the finish of stage six as Nico Lau roared down the final chute to take 5th. After a tough 2015 season, it's good to see him back fighting for the top spots.

Toni Ferreiro was pinned all weekend and despite losing huge time of the first stage of the day due to a broken chain he still managed to finish 4th overall. Just 12 seconds off the podium after 32 minutes of racing.
Toni Ferreiro was pinned all weekend. Despite losing huge time of the first stage of the day due to a broken chain, he still managed to finish 4th overall. Just 12 seconds off the podium after 32 minutes of racing.

It doesn t look like that 1 is going anywhere as Richie Rude makes it two wins in a row.
It doesn't look like that #1 is going anywhere - Richie Rude makes it two wins in a row.

Love it it or hate it there was a TON of roost going off this weekend and no one sprayed it bigger then Sam Blenkinsop on his way to winning stage 4. Sam would end up and amazing 3rd in the overall before hoping on the first flight available to make it in time to Lourdes for next weekends opening World Cup DH.
Love it it or hate it, there was a TON of roost going off this weekend, and no one sprayed it bigger then Sam Blenkinsop on his way to winning stage four. Sam would end up and amazing 3rd in the overall before hoping on the first flight available to make it in time to Lourdes for next weekend's opening World Cup DH.

Marco Osbourne knows the best powder days are the ones where it s knee deep.
Marco Osbourne knows the best powder days are the ones where it's knee deep.

Joe Barnes experiencing first hand how different Argentinian dis is to Scottish dust.
Joe Barnes experiencing first-hand, how different Argentinian dust is to Scottish dust.

Because we know you love the roost...
Because we know you love the roost...

We heard this kind of stuff was played out...
We heard this kind of stuff was played out...

2nd place finisher Martin Maes says that s crazy talk. Long live getting dirty while pinning it down hills.
...Second place finisher Martin Maes says that's crazy talk.

Chilean pinner Nico Prudencio rockets into the finish arena on stage 6.
Chilean pinner Nico Prudencio rockets into the finish arena on stage six.

No EWS report would be complete without a picture of Jerome Clementz riding at full gas. Though not completely comfortable on the dust he still managed a very respectable and consistent 6th.
No EWS report would be complete without a picture of Jerome Clementz racing at full gas. Not completely comfortable on the dust, he still managed a very respectable 6th place.

Covered in dirt and all smiles for Sam Blenkinsop as he made his first ever EWS podium appearance.
Covered in dirt and all smiles for Sam Blenkinsop, making his second ever EWS podium appearance.

What makes Richie Rude smile Winning
What makes Richie Rude smile? Winning!

Two weeks in a row Richie Rude and Martin Maes have stood side by side on the EWS podium.
Two weeks in a row, Richie Rude and Martin Maes have stood side by side on the EWS podium...

This week Sam Blenkinsop would be there to join them.
...This week Sam Blenkinsop was there to join them.

Bariloche EWS 2016

EWS director Chris Ball loving the roost even when on foot. Thank you Bariloche... You ve been an incredible host and put on a event that was truly one of a kind.
EWS director Chris Ball loving the roost even when on foot. Thank you Bariloche... You've been an incredible host and put on a event that was truly one of a kind.



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55 Comments
  • 96 1
 Good for Blenki, thats gotta be a boost for his confidence heading into WC #1

Remember everyone said Richie Rude shouldn't go to Enduro and what a waste of talent? Well, thats like, your opinion, man.
  • 24 39
flag scriz (Apr 3, 2016 at 22:57) (Below Threshold)
 Definitely stoked for Rude, but I do wish he was still in DH because then we could actually see him race. The EWS video coverage is meager, and DH is just a lot faster and more exciting.
  • 12 3
 Downhill race on trail bikes NOWONDA he did good. Rude should blow everyone away 1 more year and Return do Conquer DH.
  • 28 2
 Rude is great, Maes is hot on his heels, Graves will be backin the mix soon too, the racing is really exciting, the picture are insane, the video summaries sweet.... Who the hell cares what they call it if it's like that?

You guys should be happy ther is mor than just the six race weekends !
  • 31 2
 The Rude abides
  • 2 0
 Need more EWS suspension settings.
  • 27 1
 Jeromes photo... best in show. Are these guys only paying out $900 US for a win? Is that what I see??
  • 9 1
 and $200 for a third place finish? Ouch.
  • 7 0
 That's amazing, and really sad.
  • 4 0
 That's really shocking, even first place wouldn't begin to cover travel expenses. I know some stops have a much better prize purse. It must fall on the individual stops to raise the money for prizing. I'm sure they're trying, but the EWS needs a title sponsor to raise the stakes.
  • 7 0
 @adrock-whistler: local promoter sets prize money. Not so easy when Argentinian Peso/US Dollar ratio is 15 to 1. And winners don't exactly have to put prize money towards travel expenses. It's all just extra bonus
  • 15 0
 "Joe Barnes experiencing first-hand, how different Argentinian dust is to Scottish dust" Is that a real thing, have never heard of Scottish dust before, is that like unicorns and big foot?
  • 11 1
 Also known as mud
  • 4 0
 big foot is real...maybe...prob not...but maybe.
  • 1 2
 @davetrump: Yes just by adding water
  • 2 0
 scottish dust is the same as welsh dust, and welsh sunshine too.
  • 16 0
 The EWS race coverage is becoming awesome...with every last stage live on a web tv , it will be perfect!
  • 2 2
 Lol, sure
  • 14 1
 Congratis Toni Ferreiro (4th) and Iago Garay(13th) ! Someone should sponsor Toni Ferreiro!!!
  • 15 3
 What's a chickens favourite mtb discipline?



Henduro
  • 25 0
 Roosting?
  • 7 0
 eggselent answer
  • 5 0
 The prize money here was poultry.
  • 4 0
 Race conditions looked fowl
  • 10 0
 It may not have been raining brown pow but those tracks look unreal.
  • 5 1
 Here's some raw video that someone posted on Vital... the sand/dust looks pretty deep, but kind of slow coming out of corners.

montenbaik.com/2016/04/video-raw-race-day-1-ews-bariloche-2016
montenbaik.com/2016/04/video-raw-race-day-2-ews-bariloche-2016
  • 3 1
 @scriz: that second video looks horrendous to ride. Axle deep powder in a four foot deep rut.
  • 2 0
 @salespunk: I think you mean tremendous.
  • 1 0
 @salespunk: That is probably the slowest section of the whole race. I don't know why they filmed there. Dust is much more fun and easy to ride in faster sections, and the top riders were going crazy fast!
  • 4 0
 Amazing scenery, photos and riding!

Good to see Toni Ferrari, Loose dog Lewis and Casey Brown Pow really living up to their names. And Robin "Cameraman hater" Wallner too, making the top 10 for the first time but not featuring in any photo. Smile All good with some new blood coming in and getting big results. Kudos to all of them.

Also I cannot not be impressed by Blenki, coming in winging it and beating almost everybody who dedicates their training and setup work for this discipline. The stylish kiwi probably now challenges Graves as the most allround mtb-rider around, as he can podium in pretty much any discipline he enters. Competes more than almost anybody, and always just looks happy and effortless on the bike, at crazy speeds. Great to see!
  • 5 0
 Rae M - top electrical tape effort, hardly spotted it (especially with that bikes 'unconventional / properly functional' silhouette!
  • 4 0
 Massive kudos to Dave for handling this post entirely on your own. Really impressive and I'm sure you're completely fried right now. Hope everything is okay with Wragg's gear!
  • 4 0
 Awesome to see all the great shots and coverage of the women's event. This is the kind of thing that will really build the sport, love it!
  • 1 0
 Probably the logistics put a far destination at the beginning of the season. But I'd like to see the next south-hemisphere's EWS hosted on our spring (probably in two more years). We saw pretty epic races these past 2 weeks but I think the tracks are at their best from mid-August to mid-November.
  • 3 0
 The first time it pisses with rain is going to be a sight to behold on them there hills
  • 3 0
 That dust is soooooooo deep!
  • 4 1
 Wow,what an effort from Blenki. Hope for more grear results from him.
  • 2 0
 Awesome pics and story! Good job Richie and Cecile!
  • 2 0
 Riding for the big is aint good for your results
  • 1 0
 Nice coverage.

Looks like Bell/Giro where well represented on the podium.
  • 2 0
 I would be keen on Keene doing better this season!
  • 1 0
 I noticed PB changed the number of times Blenki has been on an EWS podium. Good job PB. :-)
  • 1 0
 Some of the most spectacular dirt roost shots i have ever seen captured in a race. Nice work Dave!
  • 1 0
 Everything about this race screamed, "for the love of the sport" to me. Awesome coverage.
  • 2 1
 Roostfest! So sweet! Who were the two riders running plus tires?
  • 1 0
 A lot of POD worthy pics in there, great job!
  • 1 0
 Interesting gloves worn by Blenki. Where can I get a pair?
  • 1 0
 Much awesome, so wow, too rad
  • 2 2
 RR will retire to WC DH and do well.
  • 1 0
 Need more video!!!!
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