Photo Epic: Showdown over Gunnison - EWS Crested Butte, Day One

Jul 31, 2015 at 20:18
by Matt Wragg  
Mitch Ropelato is back racing this weekend.



SHOWDOWN

OVER


GUNNISON


WORDS AND PHOTOS
MATT WRAGG, IAN HYLANDS & COLIN MEAGHER




To open the account for this round of the EWS riders headed up high into Gunnison Forest this morning. They were to tackle a loop of 50km, with 1,800m of climbing, set over five hours of riding and racing. It was to be a day that punished both bodies and bikes. What day one has shown beyond doubt is the diversity in the EWS right now - this is not an easy, accessible format of racing that anyone can come along and have a go out, in diametric contrast to rounds one and two in Ireland and New Zealand. There were more than a few exhausted looking riders at the finish line today and it's going to be interesting to see how many of the 350 riders are on the start line tomorrow...




A big fat old Blue Moon setting over the Colorado countryside as the first shuttles left the venue this morning in Crested Butte.
  A big, fat, old Blue Moon setting over the Colorado countryside as the first shuttles left the venue this morning in Crested Butte.

Anneke Beerten makes last minute preparations to her bike before she sets off this morning.
  Anneke Beerten makes last minute preparations to her bike before she sets off this morning.

Greg Callaghans hand. The doctor says that the bone is as strong as it will get and his range of movement hasn t been damaged but after weeks without being able to move his hand the muscle isn t 100 yet.
  Greg Callaghans hand. The doctor says that the bone is as strong as it will get and his range of movement hasn't been damaged, but after weeks without being able to move his hand the muscle isn't 100% yet.

Not only do Chris King make some amazing components but Chris King himself is at the event making breakfast for everyone. Pancakes eggs and bacon for the win
  Not only do Chris King make some amazing components, but Chris King himself is at the event making breakfast for everyone. Pancakes, eggs and bacon for the win!

It was a pensive Florian Nicolai who set out this morning. He doesn t feel this race suits him yet headed out without a backpack this morning and smashed his way to another solid top ten just behing his championship rivals Rude and Leov.
  It was a pensive Florian Nicolai who set out this morning. He doesn't feel this race suits him, yet headed out without a backpack this morning and smashed his way to another solid top ten, just behind his championship rivals, Rude and Leov.

Stage one was a tough one for wheels and tyres. I counted five smashed carbon rims being walked past me this morning...
  Stage one was a tough one for wheels and tyres. I counted five smashed carbon rims being walked past me this morning...

Kelli Emmett knows the trails here in Crested Butte well and it shows - she stormed her way to third this evening.
  Kelli Emmett knows the trails here in Crested Butte well and it shows - she stormed her way to third this evening.

You have to take your hat off to Anneke Beerten. Not only was she the fastest woman today but she rode most of the day with a gashed knee that required a hospital trip this evening to get it sewn back up.
  You have to take your hat off to Anneke Beerten. Not only was she the fastest woman today, but she rode most of the day with a gashed knee that required a hospital trip this evening to get it sewn back up.

Not the best day for T-Mo but you can t win them all. Fifth overall on the day--fifth on stage one and fourth on stage two. And while she may be nearly a minute back after a single day of racing there are two big stages tomorrow as well as the remainings stages on Sunday. So don t count Moseley out.
  Not the best day for T-Mo, but you can't win them all. Fifth overall on the day--fifth on stage one and fourth on stage two. And while she may be nearly a minute back after a single day of racing, there are two big stages tomorrow, as well as the remaining stages on Sunday. So don't count Moseley out.

This weekend was always going to suit Francois Bailly-Maitre. Coming from a cross-country background he has the legs and lungs for this kind of racing and he s a big guy to hold the bike steady on the fast rough straights.
  This weekend was always going to suit Francois Bailly-Maitre. Coming from a cross-country background he has the legs and lungs for this kind of racing and he's a big guy to hold the bike steady on the fast, rough straights.

His performance last time out in Samoens seems to have brought Thomas Lapeyrie to life and he holds fifth this evening.
  His performance last time out in Samoens seems to have brought Thomas Lapeyrie to life and he holds fifth this evening.

Rene Wildhaber went on a mission on stage two visibly looser and faster than anyone else who came through to claim the stage win and bring him up to fourth this evening just six seconds off the lead.
  Rene Wildhaber went on a mission on stage two, visibly looser and faster than anyone else who came through to claim the stage win and bring him up to fourth this evening, just six seconds off the lead.

The transfer to stage one was not too terribly awful on the eyes.
  The transfer to stage one was not too terribly awful on the eyes.

Meggie Bichard finished 8th today pretty solid for a privateer racer.
  Meggie Bichard finished 8th today, pretty solid for a privateer racer.

Ines Thoma 7th place at the end of day 1.
  Ines Thoma, 7th place at the end of day 1.

The working man s hero Joe Barnes was smooth as glass in some of the rougher sections of track... good enough to land him in the top 20 despite living at sea level.
  The working man's hero: Joe Barnes was smooth as glass in some of the rougher sections of track... good enough to land him in the top 20 despite living at sea level.

Justin Leov didn t have the best of days finishing in 9 overall for the day.
  Justin Leov didn't have the best of days, finishing in 9 overall for the day.

It s a long way to the top if you want to rock and roll -AC DC. Adam Craig channeling AC DC on transfer stage 2.
  "It's a long way to the top if you want to rock and roll" -AC/DC. Adam Craig channeling AC/DC on transfer stage 2. The final mile climbed 600 vertical feet, depositing riders at 11,500 feet above sea level.

Cecile Ravanel finished second today 11 seconds back of Anneke. But with Beerten sustaining an injury that required stitches in the first stage she must be wondering what happened.
  Cecile Ravanel finished second today, 11 seconds back of Anneke. But with Beerten sustaining an injury that required stitches in the first stage, she must be wondering what happened.

Jerome rode with a full face today and while it may feel safer on the downhills it must have been a little bit painful on the long climbs of the transfer stages. 7th place at the end of the first day.
  Jerome rode with a full face today, and while it may feel safer on the downhills, it must have been a little bit painful on the long climbs of the transfer stages. 7th place at the end of the first day and well within contact of Graves with two big days remaining.

See that dust cloud back up the trail That s where Graves took a few seconds to throw in some cartwheels on the top of stage two. Not a worry though he s still on top but a three second lead over Nico Vouilloz the alien is hardly a safe lead with two days of racing remaining.
  See that dust cloud back up the trail? That's where Graves took a few seconds to throw in some cartwheels on the top of stage two. Not a worry, though, he's still on top, but a three second lead over Nico Vouilloz, the alien, is hardly a safe lead with two days of racing remaining.

Heather Irmiger out of the gate on stage 2 with nothing but blue skies and a rock and roll trail stretching out ahead of her.
  Heather Irmiger out of the gate on stage 2 with nothing but blue skies and a rock and roll trail stretching out ahead of her.

Mike West. Old man West is still kicking ass on the race course. 11th place for the day and second fastest American.
  Mike West. Old man West is still kicking ass on the race course. 11th place for the day and top American.

Isabeau Courdurier has been working her way up through the womens ranks and managed a 4th today. Can she keep it up
  Isabeau Courdurier has been working her way up through the womens ranks, and managed a 4th today. Can she keep it up?

Greg Callahan won the second round of the EWS this year in Ireland and followed that up with a second in Scotland. Unfortunately he went on to break his hand and is now trying to work his way back up the ranks.
  Greg Callahan won the second round of the EWS this year in Ireland, and followed that up with a second in Scotland. Unfortunately he went on to break his hand, and is now trying to work his way back up the ranks.

Marco Osborne was only 16th today but he managed to win my personal photo of the day award with this shot.
  Marco Osborne was only 16th today, but he managed to win my personal photo of the day award with this shot.

You can never count out Fabian Barel 6th at the end of the day and only 21 seconds behind Graves. Competition is tight.
  You can never count out Fabian Barel, 6th at the end of the day, and only 21 seconds behind Graves. Competition is tight.

Only three seconds between Nico and Graves after an epic day of racing... this promises to be a battle royale over the next two days.
  Only three seconds between Nico and Graves after an epic day of racing... this promises to be a battle royale over the next two days.

Only two weeks ago this kid stood on the top step. Richie Rude may be some 31 seconds back right now but with two days of epic racing to go he s not to be counted out.
  Only two weeks ago this kid stood on the top step. Richie Rude may be some 31 seconds back right now, but with two days of epic racing to go, he's not to be counted out.

Jared Graves crashed pretty hard in the meadow on stage two but still managed to pull out the overall win for the day.
  Jared Graves crashed pretty hard in the meadow on stage two, but still managed to pull out the overall win for the day.

Anneke Beerten was on a tear today despite a crash that cut open her knee on stage one. She never complained about the knee instead calmly going about the business of taking over the top spot on the day.
  Anneke Beerten was on a tear today despite a crash that cut open her knee on stage one. She never complained about the knee, instead calmly going about the business of taking over the top spot on the day.

MENTIONS: @EnduroWorldSeries / @mattwragg / @meagerdude / @ianhylands


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44 Comments
  • 36 1
 Five carbon rims? How many metal ones please?
  • 17 6
 Less than five for sure, maybe even zero.
  • 8 2
 A few of them may have been minty's enve rims too!
  • 1 0
 curious as to what brand , thats some damage to have to walk out
  • 2 1
 Enve's or not, if they are on EWS bikes they are going to be a brand-name and not light bike or nextie. I'd be curious as well to hear Matt's round-up of the carbon wheels destroyed.
  • 21 0
 50km distance and 1,800m of climbing and it's only day 1 of 3(?): real bike racing, I reckon!
  • 23 1
 Chris King making breakfast, #LEGEND.
  • 3 28
flag savage47 (Aug 1, 2015 at 11:44) (Below Threshold)
 Legend for high maitenance hubs!!
  • 15 0
 I'm pretty sure Richie Rude was the highest placing American....
  • 4 0
 I saw that too, good work Richie!
  • 4 8
flag ad15 (Aug 1, 2015 at 9:25) (Below Threshold)
 Didn't know he smoked...
  • 6 2
 Yup, my bad on that one, late night editing is my excuse.
  • 8 0
 awesome pics and nice coverage once again
  • 5 3
 Seems like if you are wearing knee pads they should prevent a gash over the patella. Maybe wrong level of padding chosen by the rider within that brand's options? Poor design? Anyone have experience with those pads? Mine have a full plastic shield over the knee, aren't very noticeable when riding and I think would have prevented this. But hey stuff happens.
  • 4 0
 Nice to see Anneke up front, and hope she can hold that pace with her injuries! Seems like she likes the long days!
  • 3 0
 I like the variety of the EWS courses. The day someone opines that something isn't a 'proper enduro track' I will start to lose interest.
  • 3 0
 And Crested Butte slots into slots in just behind Bend, Oregon for places to visit!!!!
  • 5 2
 Cecile Ravanel still riding Marzocchis forks... long live to Marzocchis Company.
  • 2 0
 Love me some Mike West, but your caption is incorrect - he's the 2nd place American after Day 1 in 11th place. Rude was just ahead of him in 8th.
  • 1 0
 yup, my bad @jtpentecost , I need more sleep...
  • 2 0
 Most everyone seems to be running stiff front suspension...Looks like an inch to 2 inches of unused travel on most of those forks.
  • 3 0
 Is there a guy pumping up the rear tire in that pic with the blue Nomad? I can't really see him.
  • 3 0
 More about Isabeau Courdurier please. She looks to be shredding it. And NEW!
  • 4 1
 Can we see some pictures of "normal riders"? Where are the local dirtbags?
  • 2 0
 Wow, nice pictures. Lots of action in those shots. I wanna go to Colorado...looks like fun.
  • 4 1
 CB is a great town with super-friendly locals. It's different from the rest of the ski-town BS along the i70 corridor. It's a bit harder to get to but worth the extra effort. We'll be spending our labor day there and I can't wait.
  • 9 1
 ..it's actually insanely overcrowded and some of the most taxed housing in Colorado. Please don't come--this place is a troll
  • 2 0
 Stayed at a hostel and rode bikes there once. Shit was RAD.
  • 1 0
 @EvoRidge That cracks me up and you're full of it! Not to worry though, you guys won't end up like Denver anytime soon...
  • 1 0
 we already are
  • 3 0
 Go MARCO!!!!!!!!
  • 6 5
 That is totaly more exciting than DH, I know what I will be following tomo!
  • 3 1
 Dh is live now so you can do both ????
  • 15 1
 nah I think I go to freeporn instead, I am a wanker anyway
  • 2 0
 What is Nico wearing on his forearms? (4th pic from the bottom)...
  • 1 0
 No junior photos? We had an american place second in the junior men category. Frown
  • 2 0
 are hardtails allowed to enter the ews??
  • 1 0
 Great coverage! Wish I would have been quicker on registration day.
  • 2 0
 Pancake batter takes precision too. Should have added some food coloring for the bling factor.
  • 1 0
 curious about the screwdriver taped to the frame in the first pic?
  • 4 0
 It is a tyre plug tool for closing thorn type punctures on tubeless tyres: I bought this one instead for my riding: Dynaplug® Micro Pro - Tubeless Bicycle Tire Repair Kit: www.dynaplug.com/bike.html
  • 1 0
 nice one. thanks. didnt even know that existed.
  • 1 0
 Some riders must wear a full-face helmet.
  • 1 0
 rip Will Olson sad to see you gone







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