The fourth round of the Enduro World Series (EWS) saw Richie Rude and Isabeau Courdurier claim the top spots on the podium.
The MET Val Di Fassa EWS took place high in the Italian Dolomites, with riders taking on five stages in a single day amongst some of the most incredible scenery imaginable.
And the dramatic setting was reflected in the racing, as Richie Rude (Yeti/Fox Shox Factory Team) took to the start line for the first time this season. Rude stated his intention straight out the start gate, claiming the first stage of the day and going on to triumph on four of the five stages. Only reigning champion Sam Hill (Team Chain Reaction Cycles Mavic) could deny him a clean sweep. Hill finished the day in second place, with Florian Nicolai (Canyon Factory Racing) rounding out the top three.
In the women’s competition Isabeau Courdurier (Intense Mavic Collective) cemented her position as the woman to beat this season, dropping just one stage to Andreane Lanthier Nadeau to claim the race win by an impressive 34 seconds. Lanthier Nadeau (Rocky Mountain/Race Face Enduro Team) was rewarded with her best EWS finish to date in second place, with Noga Korem (GT Factory Racing) in third.
Antoine Vidal (Commencal Vallnord Enduro Racing Team) continued his winning streak in the U21 category, with Brady Stone and Nils Heiniger unable to match his pace and taking second and third respectively. Canadian Lucy Schick took her first EWS win in the women’s U21competition, with Leah Maunsell in second and Polly Henderson in third.
Martino Fruet delighted his home crowd by clinching the Master win, with Cedric Ravanel (Commencal Vallnord Enduro Racing Team) in second and Karim Amour (Miranda Racing Team) back in third. Louise Paulin won the Master Women category, with Alba Wunderlin and Birgit Braumann in second and third place respectively.
Canyon Factory Racing emerged as Team of the Day, with Yeti/Fox Shox Factory Racing in second and Pivot Factory Racing in third.
The series nows turns its attention to round five, EWS Les Orres Coupe Du Monde in France, which takes place next weekend, July 6-7.
