Race Report: Squamish Enduro
The Squamish Enduro presented by OneUp Components saw riders rip through abnormally dry, near-drought conditions this past weekend. With wildfire season looming, riders followed a track that fully circumnavigated a diverse sampling of the finest old, new, and lesser-known gems in Squamish's massive trail network. There was some nervous excitement before course release, with riders wondering what was in store, after the 2018 event showcased the "Gouranga Pro Line", quite possibly one of the gnarliest enduro race sections ever. When the EWS qualifier course finally dropped, and practice opened, it was stage 1 that had the rider's blood running cold; a nearly 500m descent over 2.5 kilometers of some incredibly punishing terrain. This forced riders to focus on strategy and calculate where they would dig for extra pedal strokes, or feed the flow and maintain, for the 50km day ahead. The short course saw riders follow the same lineage as the EWS qualifier course, and was no cakewalk itself, with a classic lineup of some of Squamish's most famous trails on a 30km loop.
A scheduling conflict forced the event back two weeks from its usual date, and with the next round of EWS races in Europe only a week away, the pro field was somewhat open with past winners Miranda Miller, Jesse Melamed, and Remi Gauvin absent, along with other EWS contenders. However, reigning champion and Juliana team rider, Brittany Phelan was back and looking to repeat on her 2018 win. On the men's side, riders would have to battle for a spot on the porch with the big dog, Kona Factory team rider, and 2017 EWS junior World champion, Rhys Verner.
At the end of the day, it was Brittany Phelan on top again by the narrowest of margins, edging out local hero and Juliana teammate, Laura Battista by less than one second! The men's field put in a solid effort, but for the second time, Verner proved his prowess, taking the win on 4 of 5 stages, and the overall 2019 Squamish Enduro title.
A huge thank you goes out to all the volunteers who make the Squamish Enduro possible, and the amazing SORCA full-time trail crew, who help make Squamish the mtb mecca it is.
Loose and dusty after an extremely dry spring
Riders, including 13-year-old David Peatfield, and 14-year-old Nicolas Mikkelsen, get ready to take on the EWS qualifier course. In total, thirty-three U-19 riders would show up, including seven young women
THE COURSES
Richie couldn't join us this year, but we hope to see him in 2020. Check out his preview, and more at www.squamishenduro.com
Cam Mclellan drops, way up on Rigs in Zen
Tantalus Team rider, Greg Grant finished 10th on stage 1, but clawed his way back to finish 3rd in Masters
Rhys earned the fastest time on Stage 1
Peter Wojnar goes even deeper into the forest floor
15-year-old, Hadrian Lackner with his hair flowing, absolutely pinned! His time would have earned him a spot well into the pro field on stage 1
Managing to sneak out for a ride while his newborn daughter sleeps, Evan Powell slipped into a 5th place finish overall, with only 19 hours of sleep in June. No big deal.
Tim Falvey drops into the void
Riding the ribbon
 | Stage 1 at seven minutes plus was an unexpected surprise! |
Getting loose
Principal Hartling sends Crouching Squirrel, Hidden Monkey to detention. Archer's got his back
Sherry Staples eyes a 3rd place finish on stage 1 and would end up 4th in her category overall
Juliana team rider Britt Phelan rounds the corner on the blind stage, where she edged out Laura Battista by two-tenths of a second. Three of the five stages were decided between them by less than one second
Stoked to be part of your world! This trio of ladies is an example of what makes the Squamish Enduro more than just a race. It's not often two sailors, and a mermaid greet you 8km up a logging road. Just in time for a refuel
Nesters Market is a true pillar of the Sea to Sky community. Two on course feed zones, the apres, volunteer lunches, and the dinner was supported by Nesters.
Hauling through the final stage on the short course
Jed Flemming tares through lower Angry on Stage 3. At 10 years old, Jed is about the same age as the discipline of enduro itself. We look forward to seeing him shred for years to come
Morgan Deno, with impeccable style. Look fast, feel fast, go fast!
Conal Donnelley; A little too drifty over the marbles
Dylan Wolsky lights up the darkness on 19th Hole, Stage 3
Airing into the high-line
Carl Goldstraw paints the trail gold, dominating the highly competitive Veteran category. Carl took the top spot, winning all 5 stages, and proving that beer is an important part of a balanced training regime
Wolsky attacks one of the many challenging slabs on stage 4, Somewhere Over There
Opting for the tech line, Jeremy De Beurmann sends it on Stage 4, his best stage of the day
Curtis Bennett leans into the final stage and would finish 11th overall on the day
Verner lights the burner on stage 5, cruising to a stage win
Most riders steer clear of the Valleycliffe trails labyrinth for fear of getting lost; here Sylvain Pithon navigates the ferns with precision
The Chief watches riders through the final stage
The Privateer, Adam Price sets up for the final sprint across the line on stage 5, at the Flying Spirit Rentals & Dialed In Cycling speed zone
The fastest non-pro on the day (would be 8th in pro); 15-year-old Wei Tien Ho from Whistler is a force to reckon with
| Great course and event! As per usual, it really is my favourite race of the year! |
Megan O'Brien & Emma Wareham take home the prize on the Juliana stage, for fastest non-pro women
Rose Oakhill takes home the We Are One Movement wheelset with her finishing position on, a blind, stage 2
After an already grueling upper body workout all day, the fastest riders through the speed zone hold a beer at arms length to crown the champion. Congrats to this year's winners, Zoe Dawson and Jason Polnau
Junior Women - Short Course (image to come)
Junior Men - Short Course
Open Women - Short Course (accepting on behalf of...)
Open Men - Short Course
Masters Women - Short Course
Masters Men - Short Course
Veteran Women - Short Course
Veteran Men - Short Course
Veteran Women - Full Course
Veteran Men - Full Course
Masters Women - Full Course
Masters Men - Full Course
Open Women - Full Course
Open Men - Full Course
U-19 Men - Full Course
U-23 Men - Full Course
Pro Women - Full Course (Absent: 1.Britt Phelan, 2.Laura Battista)
Pro Men - Full Course
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Member since Jun 12, 2017
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10 Comments
- 6 0
andrewdaly
(Jun 27, 2019 at 11:21)
Incredible day had by all. Thanks to all the sponsors, volunteers and of course SORCA for hosting a top event.
- 2 0
npinder2002
(Jun 27, 2019 at 11:34)
Nice write up! Damn that looks like a fun race
- 2 0
spencerbrawn
(Jun 27, 2019 at 13:58)
Super fun day - Thanks to everyone that helped out and sponsored!
- 1 0
eblackwell
FL (Jun 27, 2019 at 14:38)
Unreal race. Thanks to everyone who helped put it on!
- 1 0
ridingloam
(Jun 27, 2019 at 23:15)
Amazing race. So good to get destroyed year after year in Squamish.
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