Race Preview: Gorgeous Photos From EWS Chile

Mar 22, 2018 at 16:40
by Dave Trumpore  


The views all around Lo Barnechea are breath taking.
Enduro World Series Preview
RACERS READY
Lo Barnechea Montenbaik Enduro
2018 EWS Round 1
Words & Photography by Dave Trumpore & Matt Delorme

The Enduro World Series is back and the new season kicks off with the Lo Barnechea Montenbaik Enduro high in the Andes mountains to the east of Santiago. It’ll be a tough start to the year as 500 riders take on the famous Chilean ‘anti-grip’ over two days of flat out racing on some of the longest stages ever raced in EWS history.

After incredible performances last year, all eyes will be on reigning champions Sam Hill and Cecile Ravanel. Although they’re up against an ever-growing field of riders hoping to deny them that chance. And of course the infamous Chilean Anti-Grip could spell disaster for anyone at any moment. Stretch it all out over stages as long as 1600 meters and numerous sharp volcanic rock, and this race will certainly be a battle of attrition.

In the men’s field, Hill will be keeping a close on eye on Adrien Dailly (Lapierre), the young Frenchman who proved to be his fiercest championship rival last year. Third-ranked Greg Callaghan will also be one to watch with his win in Madeira last season proving he can win in the big mountains. Former champion Richie Rude won the last time the series visited Chile in 2016, and has been dominant anytime the EWS has visited mountains on any scale similar to the Andes.

In the women’s race, Isabeau Courdurier will be looking to capitalise on Cecile Ravanel’s decision to skip two races this season and be focused on that elusive World Champion title. Katy Winton will also be looking for podiums, and it will be interesting to see how Noga Korem fares now that she has her first team ride with GT Factory Racing. Anneke Beerten could be the dark horse amongst the women after injury has ruined her previous two seasons. A new team and good health may be just the ticket to those elusive EWS wins.

Last year’s team competition champions Ibis Cycles Enduro Race Team will be looking for more of the same, but they face stiff competition in the form of Chain Reaction Cycles Mavic, Cube Action Team, Canyon Factory Enduro Team and a plethora of others.

Tune in daily for all the action as we try out best to duck the roost and survive the dust in some truly unique and epic terrain.


Cerro Plomo looming high above the start of stages 1 2 and 6.
Cerro Plomo looming high above the start of stages 1, 2, and 6.

Look carefully and you can see just a fraction of stage 2 snaking it s way down. At 1600 meters of descending it is the biggest stage ever seen at an EWS round.
Look carefully and you can see just a fraction of stage 2 snaking its way down. At 1600 meters of descending, it is the biggest stage ever seen at an EWS round.

Just take a few minutes and digest the numbers in the fine print. This EWS round is going to be HUGE.
Just take a few minutes and digest the numbers in the fine print. This EWS round is going to be HUGE.

The condors are on high alert this week.
The condors are on high alert this week.

photo
After jumping into the deep end of EWS full time just one year ago, this man is without a doubt the one to beat here in Chile.

Teams came early to sample the dirt and race the national round before the big show.
Teams came early to sample the dirt and race the national round before the big show.

The dirt here is notorious for it s lack of traction and many riders were testing the limits early in the week on the various local tracks.
The dirt here is notorious for its lack of traction and many riders were testing the limits early in the week on the various local tracks.

Richie Rude getting some last minute testing in a few hundred meters below the race venue.
Richie Rude getting some last minute testing in a few hundred meters below the race venue.

It s not everyday you get the chance to win in your hometown with parents siblings and close friends standing just meters away at the finish line.
Jesse Melamed is looking to add a few more wins to his resume this season and having spent the last month riding in the south of Chile, he should be well adapted to the slippery conditions

A hard and frustration day for Adrien Dailly as he watched his once firm grasp on the overall disappear even further.
Last season's runner up, Adrien Dailly will definitely be a threat here this weekend.

Everywhere you look in nothing but mountains and more mountains.
Everywhere you look is nothing but mountains and more mountains.

It s loose. It s dusty. It s like surfing dirt.
It's loose. It's dusty. It's like surfing dirt.

Even the liaisons are something else when this high in up in the Andes.
Even the liaisons are something else when this high in up in the Andes.

Dave plummets down stage two the longest stage in EWS history.
Dave plummets down stage two, the longest stage in EWS history.

High on La Parva the landscape looks more like the moon than the more traditional terrain seen in past EWS rounds.
High on La Parva the landscape looks more like the moon than the more traditional terrain seen in past EWS rounds.

5th for Damien Oton and ready to battle it out another day.
Damien Oton ended 2017 on a high in Finale, and is looking to get on top of a few more podiums in 2018.

Katy Winton starts this year in third looking to move up the ranks.
Katy Winton starts this year in third and is looking to move up the ranks.

To exhausted to celebrate 2nd place for Isabeau Courdurier.
Isabeau Courdurier has been the only woman to beat Cecile Ravanel in the past season, and is definitely the one most likely to inherit her thrown this season.

Some sections of stage 1 will reward those who can keep off the brakes.
Some sections of stage 1 will reward those who can keep off the brakes.

This is big mountain riding at it s finest.
This is big mountain riding at its finest.

Racers are loving the weather and the views from their home high in the Andes this week.
Racers are loving the weather and the views from their home high in the Andes this week.

Race prep goes into the wee hours of the night.
Race prep goes into the wee hours of the night.

A few hundred timing chips lined up and ready for the first EWS race of the season.
A few hundred timing chips lined up and ready for the first EWS race of the season.


Day 1
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Day 2
Download the Trailforks App


MENTIONS: @EnduroWorldSeries


Author Info:
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Member since Feb 26, 2008
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33 Comments
  • 39 3
 Come on Richie!
  • 8 1
 So stoked this is back. Hoping Richie just slays it this year.
  • 3 0
 Seeing onboards looks like Richie´s wet dream if he doesn´t flats...
  • 13 3
 Can't wait to see what @BrendonEdgar can pull off. Good luck man!!!
  • 3 2
 Ya Shredger! Kill it brah!!
  • 1 0
 If he can take it easy when he needs to on the track, he will do great.. #trekwarrior
  • 13 3
 It's time! I've got Chiles down my spine!
  • 3 0
 Andes right here is what we've been waiting for!
  • 11 2
 Throne*
  • 8 0
 Go Jesse......we're rooting for you!!!
  • 9 1
 It’s about goddam time! Goodbye winter!!!!
  • 5 0
 This looks like it's custom made for Sam Hill when you compare it to the dirt he rides at home!
  • 2 0
 Except for the altitude sickness
  • 2 0
 Wow what an incredible looking place to ride. Scanned the article, too busy looking at the pictures, but how high is it above sea level and how is that affecting riding prep? I know when I went to Manizales in Colombia (the next round) it took some serious time for me to adjust.
  • 3 0
 At top stages its about 3700 mts and the bottom stage should be arround 1700, do your math... its on hell of a ride
  • 3 2
 @vichoI: maths
  • 6 0
 @howsyourdad: math, it's only one: subtraction
  • 7 1
 *throne
  • 2 0
 I don't want to see any one rider dominate the entire series. Gotta keep it exciting! That being said, how do you root against Sam Hill?
  • 2 0
 We need more of those trailforks maps at the top of the article. Took me a little while to figure out, but so helpful and detailed.
  • 3 0
 unbelievable. What other sport is so awesome? well... chess, but besides that.
  • 3 0
 SAM HILL will dominate!!!
  • 1 0
 Cecile Ravanel’s decision to skip two races this season and be focused on that elusive World Champion title. What? Dh world champion title?
  • 4 1
 Sam mother f#kn H1ll !!!!!!!
  • 3 0
 Come on Gwinn you can lay the smack down on VanderPool
  • 3 0
 throne
  • 2 0
 Amazing photos as always pinkbike
  • 1 0
 is that place open in the summers for biking? or just for special events? looks awesome!
  • 3 0
 yes bro the parva is open in summer to enjoy... the parvazo
  • 2 0
 @matiasoroz: cheers! time to plan haha
  • 1 0
 How many stages will it be before goes out with a flat?
  • 1 0
 El Gato!
  • 1 0
 go team Scotland/trek!







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