Muddy mayhem at Enduro World Series No. 1
Wyn Masters charges toward men’s pro victory. Photo courtesy Enduro World Series
The 2017 Enduro World Series got off to a wild start at the Giant Toa Enduro in New Zealand. But even the craziest of conditions couldn’t slow down Round No. 1 winners Cecile Ravanel and Wyn Masters. You can see full results at enduroworldseries.com.
Cecile Ravanel was on fire, winning all but the final stage. Photo courtesy Enduro World Series
Heavy rain early in the day turned Crankworx Rotorua’s opening event into one of the most savage EWS races to date, with all seven stages transforming from hero dirt during practice into brutal mud come race day. The pro men’s field left the stage last and bore the brunt of the changing conditions.
Conditions were challenging to say the least. Photo courtesy Enduro World Series
However, the locally favored Kiwi men seemed completely unfazed, taking every step on the podium. Wyn Masters (GT Factory Racing) finished nearly four seconds up on second placed Matt Walker, with Wyn’s brother Eddie Masters in third. Check out this one-minute race recap video.
//www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5XeiOF1uCI
“There were some stages today that I’ve never seen that tough and it was just a struggle,” said Wyn Masters. “The ruts swallowed the bike and the rider. I had a few crashes but I managed to hold it together and somehow I took the win and lived up to my name.”
Ines Thoma equaled her previous best result with an impressive second place in challenging conditions. Photo courtesy Enduro World Series
In the women’s race, 2016 overall series champion Cecile Ravanel (Commencal Vallnord Enduro Team) looked unstoppable once again. She may live in the south of France but she seemed perfectly at home in the mud. Ravanel won six stages, with only Katy Winton (Trek Factory Racing) standing between her and total stage domination. Ines Thoma (Canyon Factory Enduro Team) put in a consistent ride to take home second on the day, and Anita Gehrig (Ibis Cycles Enduro Race Team) did the same to take a well-deserved third.
The flora and fauna was unmistakably New Zealand. Photo courtesy Enduro World Series
“I was a little bit nervous this morning because of the rain,” admitted Ravanel. “I live in the south east of France and there are never these conditions. If it rains I don’t ride. But I enjoyed it though and I’m happy.”
In its debut race, the new Master’s Women category was won by Melanie Blomfeld of New Zealand, with Mary McConneloug second, and Sarah Beadel in third. In the Master Men Karim Amour (BH-Miranda Racing Team) romped to victory once more, with Sean McCaroll in second and Nigel Page (Chain Reaction Cycles Mavic) in third.
Jerome Clementz had his wheels off the ground in full attack mode, but unfortunately Clementz couldn’t repeat his previous EWS result here in Rotorua. Photo courtesy Enduro World Series
Martha Gill was all alone in the U21 Women’s race, but she definitely wasn’t complacent and still posted some incredible times that would have placed her in the top 15 in the women’s pro race. Chilean rider Pedro Burns won the U21 Men, with Killian Callaghan in second and local Lucas Cole in third.
Sam Hill making quick work of the super slick roots, much to the entertainment of the crowd. He was the fastest man on this stage after the rain and battled his way to 4th place overall, only 8 seconds off the top spot. Photo courtesy Enduro World Series
Masters’ victory means GT Factory Racing lead the team points table, Canyon Factory Enduro Team lie second with Ibis Cycles Enduro Race Team sitting third.
The series now moves over the Tasman Sea to Derby in Australia for round No. 2, the Shimano Enduro Tasmania on April 9.
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