2017 Pinkbike Awards: Enduro Race of the Year

Dec 13, 2017 at 17:44
by Pinkbike Staff  
PB Awards



Mckay Vezina wishing he could still feel his hands and arms down the final minutes of Ride Don t Slide.
EWS Round 7, Whistler
Canadian Open Enduro Presented by Specialized
Enduro Race of the Year


Why it's the winner:

The Crankworx Whistler stop of the Enduro World Series has fast become a classic, a race where long, technical stages demand the best from riders and their equipment. This year was no exception, and in the men's race an epic battle unfolded over the course of the day between Sam Hill and hometown-hero Jesse Melamed.


Sam Hill took stage one by 17 seconds. unfortunately the day wouldn t be his.
Sam Hill rocketing towards his commanding stage one win.


Sam unleashed a scorcher on the first monstrous stage, putting nearly 18 seconds into the rest of the field, but Melamed battled back and took the next three stage wins. The race still wasn't over though – the last stage, which runs through the Whistler Bike Park, has dashed dreams before, and it nearly did the same to Melamed when he had a big crash towards the top. He somehow managed to regain his composure and continue his rush towards the finish line, where he edged out Hill for the win by 14.85 seconds.

In the pro women's race, Cecile Ravenel delivered another commanding performance, winning every single stage on her way to her sixth EWS victory of the season.


Total stage domination today as Cecile Ravanel went 5 for 5.
Cecile Ravenel took no prisoners, winning every single stage on her way to the top step of the podium.
After losing big on stage 1 Jesse Melamed went on a tear to win the next 3 stages.
Jesse Melamed was on a mission, determined to win in front of a hometown crowd.


It takes more than just an exciting day of racing to earn the title of Enduro Race of the Year, and in this case it was the incredible trails the cemented the win. It's no secret that Whistler, BC, has some of the best riding in the world, but this year's course selection did an especially good job of showcasing the wide variety that the area has to offer, everything from the foggy, rooty, and loamy Top of the World / Ride Don't Slide stage, to the extra-rocky and loose Howler stage. At the end of the day the dazed looks on competitors' faces said it all – that was one hell of a race, one that won't be forgotten any time soon



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.
There was never really any doubt that Ceclie would come out on top today.


Author Info:
pinkbikeaudience avatar

Member since Jul 22, 2013
3,465 articles
Must Read This Week
Kona Bicycles' Parent Company Appoints New CFO, Intends to Sell Brand
64385 views
Downhill Bikes of Sea Otter - Part 1
45938 views
Randoms Round 3: Dario's Treasures
44179 views
Brian's Randoms from Sea Otter 2024
43813 views
Pinkbike's DH Fantasy League: Get Your Team On The Line - Fort William is in 10 DAYS!
39230 views
[UPDATED] Final Elite XC Results & Overall Standings from the Araxá XC World Cup 2024
38036 views
Randoms Round 1 - Sea Otter 2024
37968 views
Spotted: Frameworks Racing DH Bike with Electronic Fox Shock & Unreleased Enve Rims
37046 views
Sign Up for the Pinkbike Newsletter - All the Biggest, Most Interesting Stories in your Inbox
PB Newsletter Signup

47 Comments
  • 106 1
 I think a Pinkbike "Comment of the Year" is far more necessary than this.
  • 11 2
 Flat pedals, Bro
  • 2 0
 @milanboy1986 : If it were decided by the most number of up votes it would be pretty easy to data mine that too.
  • 12 0
 100% necessary.

We do think it's important to acknowledge the kick-ass racing that goes on throughout the year, but next year we're considering combining all the disciplines into "Best Race" (for XC/EWS/DH) and "Best Event" (for freeride and slopestyle).
  • 1 0
 agreed
  • 2 2
 the user Waki comes to mind...
  • 1 0
 @brianpark: Yeah man, that sounds more reasonable. And meanwhile the huge amount of PB users should be involved in this award thing. Looking forward to what it will be next year.
  • 1 0
 @freestyIAM: That's what I was thinking of.
  • 1 0
 The Spangle article should win based on the quantity of hilarious comments.
  • 2 0
 @panchocampbell: Waki should at least get an honourable mention for his overall contribution. Or should have a standalone dedicated discipline 'Waki's comment of the year'.
  • 1 0
 Now that's something I could get behind.
  • 36 6
 Enduro race of the year?? Is this a vote the world has been waiting for?
  • 67 9
 Can't wait for best catering at UCI meeting and best Wi-Fi reception in the press area at World Cup races. It's thrilling stuff this Award crap.
  • 3 2
 Yes
  • 12 9
 @jclnv: Thrilling enough for you to find the time to comment on it? Or are you saying you know of some better material that could have been put up on the front page today?

Sorry just trying to get a handle all the mentality of the folks here at PB who find time to bitch about something when it really doesn't matter.
  • 3 6
 No, not at all. Dress up for your own ride and leave me alone. Glorified stormtrooper group mtb’ing is a buzzkill for the solitary cyclist.
  • 10 2
 @2bigwheels: i like a well crafted bitch so i up voted, a good bitch will always get more appreciation than a well rounded rational comment such as yours, its the internet mate
  • 1 1
 Is this now an upvote battle?
  • 4 2
 @johnnygrosso: Well said. There is a big difference between trolling and witty commentary. I have a feeling @2bigwheels is the old guy that used to ref my footie games when I was a kid and always made me tuck in my jersey.
  • 4 2
 @johnnygrosso: I guess, maybe it's not funny to me cause all people do is strive to get an upvote from people like you who encourage shitting on things? Who knows maybe I'm the bitter one.

It's a weird place the internet has become.
  • 3 1
 @rebel12: you are 9 years older than I am lol based on what I know about age I feel I was not ever able to Ref your childhood football games.
  • 2 0
 @2bigwheels: It some that rational thinking wins again. But I think we may have found your spirit animal. I do hear what you are saying though. I have deleted most of my social media accounts because of all the negativity. I saw this more as good natured fun. We gotta be able to laugh at things.
  • 3 1
 @rebel12: you are right a good laugh is always good. and maybe I would have looked it as funny if he hadn't finished it off with "It's thrilling stuff this Award crap."

But hey like I said maybe I'm just the bitter one.
  • 3 0
 @2bigwheels: oh well never mind mate if its any consolation you live in Surrey BC while i live in Surrey UK. I know where I would prefer to be. don't let the internet / world get you down its only a bit of fun
  • 1 0
 @2bigwheels: The mentality? That is giving us too much credit.
  • 1 0
 @johnnygrosso: ill do my best to keep my chin up lol
  • 8 4
 Dood of course it's Whistler, It's the Mecca of MTB
  • 6 1
 Whisgnar.
  • 2 0
 What's going on with the head between the trees in the 2nd picture?
I don't think this guy moved his neck faster than Sam Hill to blur out everything beneath the chin.
  • 1 0
 That is the infamous disembodied floating head of Whistler! Really sucks when you encounter it in the middle of a trail and it bonks off your helmet.
  • 4 1
 What ISNT there an award for?
  • 3 5
 Harvey Weinstein's sexual harassment total?
  • 2 1
 @2bigwheels: keep that shit outta here. This is a Mtb site brah
  • 4 0
 "Enduro Spare-Tube Frame Strap of the Year"?
  • 1 0
 @geephlow: ehhhh ... you never know.
  • 5 2
 Cairns Smile
  • 1 0
 Cairns only when it’s raining for days on end
  • 1 0
 Were any of the ESC races nominated? Those were pretty sweet but I guess you had to be there :-)
  • 2 1
 No , sorry . I think that Tasmania, Madeira or Millau desserve it much more.
  • 1 0
 In the first picture, what is that sticking out the front of the bike if you look at the rider's right hand?
  • 2 0
 His goggles - it was super foggy that day, so he probably pulled them off quickly and held onto them.
  • 1 0
 @mikekazimer: Thanks Mike
  • 1 0
 It was awesome being there in person and seeing Jesse come across the line. And seeing Sam race in person as well...
  • 1 0
 I was thinking Madeira would win it. Maybe "Enduro photo of the year"?
  • 1 0
 Madeira !!!
  • 1 0
 looks like a Session
  • 1 2
 WSA Whistler stormtrooper alliance







Copyright © 2000 - 2024. Pinkbike.com. All rights reserved.
dv56 0.039706
Mobile Version of Website