Cycling: On six stages almost 250 riders from all over Europe fought for seconds, podium places and valuable points for the overall ranking of the European Enduro Series presented by XS Power Drink. In the end, after around 5 hours of driving, Jeromé Clementz and Raphaela Richter emerged as the winners.
What a race! The rooty trails around Nauders on the Reschenpass and lots of well-known names in the starting field proved to be a guarantee for exciting racing action. Even beforehand, the sheer numbers gave an idea that the race would not be a walk in the park: three countries, four lifts, six stages with a total length of 18 kilometers, 1450 meters uphill and a good 4000 meters downhill. The whole thing is spread over a 50-kilometer lap.
But the weekend not only had a lot to offer in terms of quantity, the varied trails also had a lot to offer in terms of quality: While the first stage meandered mostly naturally into the valley as a rocky but flowing roller coaster, Stage 2 initially challenged the riders with a longer, flat one Tretstück and then a rough high-speed descent over 700 meters down. On the third stage, which was reserved for the starters of the pro categories, it was not stones but roots that dominated the scene. The long, mostly steep descent from the Haideralm proved to be a challenge even for the top riders, particularly under the prevailing damp conditions, and provided for some spectacular manoeuvres.
The fourth stage, freshly built for the race, was no less rooted. Here it was important to use clever line selection and an active driving style to gain as much momentum as possible for the partly flat, blocked passages. The first part of the fifth stage was almost relaxation: Here the riders first shot through picturesque alpine meadows before things got much more technical, interspersed with a few pedal passages. Very few drivers will have had the time and nerves to enjoy the picturesque landscape around the Schwarzsee. The final sixth stage meandered, also steep and demanding, down below the Mutzkopfbahn.
The drivers used the training day to familiarize themselves as best as possible with the long descents – and used different tactics to do so. “The stages are too long to remember a line. I just ride where it takes me and try to keep as much momentum as possible." reveals Matthias Stoneg (AUT – MS Mondraker). André Wagenknecht (GER – Cube Action Team) is also experienced: “No one comes down without making mistakes, the stages are far too long for that. That's a good thing, because it gives you as an athlete the opportunity to make up for lost time.". The reigning world champion Jeromé Clementz (FRA - Cannondale Over Mountain Team), who started again after a long injury break, was impressed by the quality of the trails and also praised the hospitality of the region.
But before the stages were tackled at racing speed on Sunday, the prologue was first on the program on Saturday afternoon: on a 30-second course, there were first two steep curves to master before a slightly uphill section of pedaling offered the drivers the opportunity to put their to demonstrate prowess. In the Pro Men, Ludovic May (SUI – Canyon Factory Enduro Team) was the best, followed by André Wagenknecht and Matthias Stonig. With a gap of more than four seconds, Lorraine Truong (SUI - Norco-Leysin) was able to relegate Pauline Dieffenthaler (FRA - Cannondale Overmountain Team) and Raphaela Richter (GER - Radon Factory Enduro) to second and third place in the Pro Women category.
So the first times were set, but of course the decision will not be made until the day of the race: it started out rainy at first. But shortly after the first drivers rolled through the gate of the picturesque castle above Nauders, the sun came out and let the region appear in the most beautiful light. However, dry from above does not mean dry from below, so there was little change in the sometimes slippery conditions.
With a total time of 38:47.70 and an impressive 1:50.93 lead over second-placed Philip Shucksmith (GBR – Pro Ride Guides), EWS-experienced Jeromé Clementz made an impressive comeback from his long injury break. Markus Reiser (GER – Focus Trail Team) was third, followed by Ludovic May (SUI – Canyon Factory Enduro Team) and Robert Williams (GBR – UK WTB Enduro Team). The victory in the Pro Women was just as clear: Here Raphaela Richter secured the top step of the podium with a time of 50:14.55 and thus more than one and a half minutes ahead of Lorraine Truong. Pauline Dieffenthaler was third, ahead of Prisca Castlunger (ITA - Rideaway) and Birgit Braumann (AUT - Trek Gravity Girls).
The fastest master of the day was Rüdiger Jahnel (AUT – Specialized-mountainbiker.at), who was able to defend his lead from the prologue. About a minute behind was Damiano Rossa (ITA – AS Dilettantistica) in second place, Thomas Schmitt (GER – www.vollblutrider.de) in third and Nicki Siedl (AUT) in fourth. Guido Wachter (GER) finished fifth.
In summary, it can be said that the 3-country Enduro Trails have shown themselves from their best side this year. The mix of technically demanding descents, garnished with some energy-sapping counter climbs and the overall very long journey time of around 5 hours demanded everything from the drivers.
The trails represent the enduro spirit and offer racing in its purest form. In the end, it was the most complete riders in each category who climbed the coveted podium. All others were victors over their own weaker self and were also rewarded with great trails, impressive views and great moments in the 3-country enduro region at Lake Reschen.
Manuel Baldauf, Managing Director of the Nauderer Tourism Association and thus also the host this weekend, also summed it up positively: “During the enduro event we were able to present our best trails in the 3-country region. We are very happy about the positive feedback. We will continue to develop the range of routes consistently over the coming months and years and are already looking forward to the 2015 event!”
The race is a cross-border project and for this reason takes place alternately in Tyrol and South Tyrol. Next year the starting point will again be right on the lake. The European Enduro Series is next moving to Maribor in Slovenia, where the penultimate race of the series is already scheduled for two weeks. And again the key data promise a fun race with significantly more downhill than uphill. More info and full results as always at enduroseries.eu.