Hill, Ravanel win Aspen-Snowmass Enduro World Series
Sam Hill won by less than 4 seconds over Martin Maes. Photo courtesy Enduro World Series
Round No. 6 of the Enduro World Series, the Yeti Cycles Big Mountain Enduro presented by Shimano Aspen Snowmass, will go down as one of the closest fought races in EWS history. (Check out full results here.)
Belgian Martin Maes barely missed out on the top step of the men’s pro podium. Photo courtesy Enduro World Series
After four stages and almost 44 miles of trail, Jared Graves (Specialized Racing) led Sam Hill (Chain Reaction Cycles Mavic) by just 0:00.32. But no one could hold off Hill, as he claimed the last two stages and the overall race win. Martin Maes (GT Factory Racing) fought back to take second place, with Graves ending up third. Hill now leads the series rankings by 40 points, with Adrien Dailly (Lapierre) in second, and Greg Callaghan (Cube Action Team) third.
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“It was awesome, six amazing stages here in Colorado and I just had a good time and tried to stay as consistent as I could,” said Hill. “I hadn’t raced an EWS here before so I wasn’t too sure what to expect and I wouldn’t have expected to win here. My goal now is to try and win this thing at the end of the year.”
Ravanel is once again proving unbeatable on the EWS circuit. Photo courtesy Enduro World Series
In the women’s race Isabeau Courdurier (SUNN) took the first stage of the race, but no one could stop Cecile Ravanel (Commencal Vallnord Enduro Team) who went on to win three stages and the race by over 47 seconds, with Courdurier settling for second. Casey Brown (Trek Factory Enduro Racing Team) had a strong performance over both days to take third. The win put Ravanel well ahead in the overall rankings, while Winton moved up to second place, and Ines Thoma (Canyon Factory Enduro Team) is now third. (Check out the complete series rankings here.)
Isabeau Courdurier held off Casey Brown and took home the 2nd place. Photo courtesy Enduro World Series
“I liked the trails a lot better than last year, much steeper and more natural,” said Ravanel. “I hope to keep going like this for the rest of the year and take the overall series win.”
In the U21 men Killian Callaghan’s lead in the series rankings was bolstered by another win, with Duncan Nason of the USA in second and Max Leyson in third. In the U21 women it was Samantha Soranio who won every stage, Lia Westermann came second, and Abigale Lawton third.
The Aspen-Snowmass riding is quickly gaining a reputation for great trails. The scenery isn’t bad either. Photo courtesy Enduro World Series
Karim Amour (BH-Miranda Racing Team) continued his winning streak to claim another win, Brian Lopes came second, and Mike West was third.
Team of the day was Rocky Mountain Urge bp, which is now second in the overall rankings behind Ibis Cycles Enduro Race Team, with Canyon Factory Enduro Team in third.
Former series leader Adrien Dailly won the final stage but was only good for 6th place overall. Photo courtesy Enduro World Series
The series returns in two weeks for round No. 7, the Crankworx Canadian Open Enduro presented by Specialized in Whistler, British Columbia.
To learn more, head over to www.enduroworldseries.com.
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