Melamed and Ravanel tame Crankzilla
Jesse Melamed finished what he started here previously in Whistler, finally winning a round of the EWS. Photo courtesy Enduro World Series
Whistler is no stranger to mountain biking heroes and another was born this past weekend when hometown favorite Jesse Melamed won round No. 7 of the Enduro World Series, the Crankworx Open Enduro presented by Specialized. Full results from today’s race can be found here. Press play to get a taste of the action.
//www.youtube.com/watch?v=-f7ZHMdBysU
Melamed (Rocky Mountain URGE-bp) was locked in an intense battle with series leader Sam Hill (Chain Reaction Cycles Mavic) throughout the penultimate race of the year. Hill took the first stage of the day with an incredible 17 second lead, but by stage three Melamed trailed by a mere half second. In one of the most nail biting finishes to date, Melamed crashed on the final stage but still did enough to clinch the win by 14 seconds. Mark Scott (Santa Cruz x SRAM) had the race of his life to take third and score his first trip to the EWS podium.
Sam Hill pure sending it on the Ride Don’t Slide trail. Photo courtesy Enduro World Series
Speaking after the race Melamed said: “I felt good coming into the race I had a solid result in Aspen and I’ve been feeling good on my bike all year. I was expecting the times to be closer, I had a huge crash on the last stage and I’m really happy I didn’t throw it away.”
Cecile Ravanel dominated the field today, winning every stage — as usual. Photo courtesy Enduro World Series
In the women’s race it was another incredible performance from Cecile Ravanel (Commencal Vallnord Enduro Team) who once more displayed total stage domination to take her sixth win of the season. Isabeau Courdurier (SUNN) came second while Katy Winton (Trek Factory Racing Enduro Team) scored third to land her second EWS podium of the year.
Katy Winton had three 3rd place finishes and wound up 3rd at the end of the race. Photo courtesy Enduro World Series
Ravanel commented: “Crankworx for us it’s like the world championships. For me it is the best event of the year. I did the job, I was focused on the victory and I’m really enjoying the outcome of my run today. It’s amazing.”
Press play to see how the pros set their bikes up for this massive day of racing.
//www.youtube.com/watch?v=fm6Kq-Fwprw
Canada’s Max Leyen won the U21 Men, with series leader Killian Callaghan just behind in second and Rhys Verner in third. It was a distinctly British affair in the U21 Women, with all three podium spots belonging to the Union Jack courtesy of Martha Gill, Elena Melton and Abigale Lawton in first, second and third respectively.
Jerome Clementz leans it in on his way to 8th overall. Photo courtesy Enduro World Series
Local rider Matt Ryan is the first man to beat Karim Amour (BH-Miranda Racing) all year, with the current series leader pushed into second and former World Champion Woody Hole (Hope Factory Racing) in third. Chrissy Deval won Master Women, Mary McConneloug in second and Penny Deck in third.
One of the many bonuses of winning a home race is having the family there to witness it. Photo courtesy Enduro World Series
In the team competition, Rocky Mountain URGE BP were team of the day, with Ibis Cycles Enduro Race Team in second and Commencal Vallnord Enduro Team.
Ibis rider Robin Wallner earned his best ever race result with a 4th place overall. Photo courtesy Enduro World Series
With just one race left this season, the stage is set for an incredible showdown at the last round of the year in Finale, Italy next month. Ravanel is all but assured of a second series title, while in the men’s race it’s a three way fight between Hill, Adrien Dailly and Greg Callaghan. All that lies between them and the championship is two days of intense racing on Italy’s most iconic trails.
For a preview of the final round of the 2017 Enduro World Series head to www.enduroworldseries.com.
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