Sam Hill takes Enduro World Series overall crown
Sam Hill slotted third at the finale, more than enough to secure the overall series title. Photo courtesy Enduro World Series
For the fifth time the Enduro World Series reached a dramatic conclusion on the iconic trails of Finale Ligure in Italy. See full race result here at www.enduroworldseries.com.
It was big crowds and rowdy riding at the finals. Photo courtesy Enduro World Series
Round eight, the Bluegrass Finalenduro powered by SRAM, saw 500 riders undertake two huge days of riding that took them all the way from the highest peaks in Liguria all the way to the warm waters of the Mediterranean Sea. But with a course that took in over 100km, the riders didn’t have time to stop and admire the views.
Damien Oton (Devinci Global Racing) took the win in Finale Ligure. Photo courtesy Enduro World Series
In the lead-up to the race all eyes were focused on the battle for the men’s title. All of the other individual titles had been decided in previous rounds. The men’s championship race was a fight between Aussie Sam Hill (Chain Reaction Cycles-Mavic) and young Frenchman Adrien Dailly (Lapierre). Hill led throughout day one, but Dailly pushed him to the limit. At one point just three seconds separated the pair. In the end the tough, physical course played to Hill’s strengths and his third position in the race was enough to secure him his first Enduro World Series title.
Sam Hill takes the overall title in the fifth year of the EWS. Photo courtesy Enduro World Series
Speaking after the race Hill said: “It was a tough couple of days of racing so I just tried to stay smooth and consistent and put down the best stage times I could. I’ll be back for sure next season. I want to come back and defend that title.”
However neither Hill nor Dailly could match the pace of Damien Oton (Devinci Global Racing), who put in an incredible performance to take the race win. Martin Maes (GT Factory Racing) made a successful return after a crash ended his race early at the last round in Whistler, putting in blistering times to finish second in Italy. Hill rounded out the race podium in third place.
As usual, Ravanel was all but untouchable. Photo courtesy Enduro World Series
In the women’s race, it won’t come as a surprise to anyone that reigning series champion Cecile Ravanel (Commencal Vallnord Enduro Team) will be holding the title for another year. She made sure she finished the season in style by winning the race as well. Isabeau Courdurier (SUNN) and Katy Winton (Trek Factory Racing Enduro Team) came second and third respectively, reflecting their positions in the overall standings as well.
Ravanel said: “I’m so happy to win the title for the second year in a row. It was a tough race but getting the race win and the overall means a lot. It’s the perfect way to end the season.”
Rock slalom in Italy. Photo courtesy Enduro World Series
Killian Callaghan had the U21 men’s title sewn up coming into this race, and took it easy, finishing seventh in Finale Ligure. Whistler local Rhys Verner stormed to victory in this weekend’s race, giving a time that would have put him in the top 20 of the senior men. It was a similar story in the U21 women as Martha Gill’s consistent season meant she was already won the title as she left the start gate on Saturday. British newcomer Ella Conolly made quite the EWS debut, winning this weekend’s race.
Ravanel made it two overall titles in a row. Photo courtesy Enduro World Series
Karim Amour (BH-Miranda Racing Team) won seven of this year’s races, meaning his first Enduro World Series title was already in the bag. However, Rene Wildhaber proved too much for him on the day, winning five stages to take the race. In the master’s women consistent results from Mary McConneloug saw her clinch the title, whilst in the race it was Canadian Christina De Vall who graced the top step of the podium.
All the 2017 series winners. Photo courtesy Enduro World Series
In the team competition Ibis Cycles Enduro Race Team are the new series champions, Rocky Mountain Urge bp are second, and Canyon Factory Enduro Team third.
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