Enduro World Series: Graves, Ravanel sweep opening day in Colorado
Jared Graves won all three stages and has a commanding lead.
Jared Graves (Specialized) and Cecile Ravanel (Commencal Vallnord Enduro) each went 3-for-3, winning three stages apiece on day 1 of the Enduro World Series stop in Aspen-Snowmass, Colorado, on Saturday.
After a shaky start to the season, Graves found his flow on the classic Colorado singletrack, finishing the round No. 5 opener with a comfortable 21-second lead over second placed Nico Lau (Cube Action Team). Martin Maes (GT Factory Racing) fared well in his first race since he broke his hand in June, finishing third, 31 seconds behind Graves.
Clearly Rude is not himself.
On the other end of the results was series leader and Graves’ former teammate Richie Rude, who ended up 41st on the day, and is clearly feeling the effects of a bad crash in practice on Thursday that resulted in separated shoulder for the Yeti-Fox rider (see the video of that crash). Rude sat out Friday’s practice, meaning he’s racing some stages blind this weekend.
Cecile Ravanel won all three stages on day 1.
In the women’s race, overall EWS series leader Ravanel continued her incredible form, grabbing three stage wins to finish a yawning 53 seconds up on Isabeau Courdurier (SUNN). Anita Gehrig (Ibis Cycles) is 3 more seconds back in third.
Cody Kelley seen from the lift on stage 3 where he finished 5th.
For full result from day 1 go here. For more detail on how the day unfolded, check out the EWS live feed. For stage-by-stage time analysis, check out the EWS analyzer. For overall series standing coming into the event, check out the EWS series standings page.
Following on from his form in La Thuile Adrien Dailly is leading the u21 category and 9th in the overall classification.
In the U21 men’s, once again Adrien Dailly (Lapierre Gravity Republic) came out on top. Fellow Frenchman Sebastien Claquin (Rocky Mountain URGE bp) trails by 27 seconds, with American Duncan Nason third.
Jerome Clementz was flying until he suffered a flat. Check out the gallery below to see what looks like a new bike from Cannondale.
Homegrown U.S. talent Samantha Soriano and Lia Westermann sit in first and second respectively in the U21 women’s race. Therewas also a strong showing from U.S. riders in the master’s category, with Michael Broderick and Joe Lawwill taking the top two spots. Australia’s Randal Huntington sits third.
Stage 1 start — and stage 4 midway point. Photo by Jason Sumner
Racing in Colorado concludes Sunday with three more testing stages, which have the potential to mix things up before the final podiums are decided. The final three tracks are a departure from Saturday’s sweeping singletrack. Instead riders will be faced with steeper, more technical terrain. For more from Saturday, check out the photo gallery below. All photos are courtesy Enduro World Series unless otherwise indicated.
Jared Graves is off like a rocket at the start of stage 1. Photo by Jason Sumner
Cecile Ravanel (Commencal Vallnord Enduro) looking focused and ready at the start of stage 1. Photo by Jason Sumner
Martin Maes attacked on every stage catching riders and battling into 3rd.
Off and running on stage 1 at Aspen-Snowmass. Photo by Jason Sumner
Anneke Beerten returns after missing La Thuile with a 4th place after the first day of racing.
Well do you? Photo by Jason Sumner
Racers were singing the Oscar Blues when racing was done. Photo by Jason Sumner
Another beautiful day and night in Colorado.
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