EWS 2016 - Here We Go!!!

Has anyone else watched the race recap video from Whistler? Kind of a let down just watching everyone on the final few turns. I guess it's better than nothing.

I did get kinda geeked about the telemetry and graph comparisons. I think live tracking has some potential. If EWS can't provide decent video coverage then maybe let the satellites and computers do it.

 

I haven't watched it, but the Enduro coverage from the last two years at Whistler was abysmal. Stupid commentary trying to fill up time and then a few shots of the 20 minute long stage, including the bottom two turns and finish line. I'd rather just wait for the collection of other videos that come out after most EWS events.

 

This is much better: http://www.pinkbike.com/news/whistler-ews-photo-epic-redemption.html

And, thanks to Richie Rude, my rad 275 stays relevant for at least another month!

Here's a quick compilation video of the final bit of the track, including the "best bike in the universe" tangling with a tree at 1:23 and a gigantic huck to flat by Rude boy at about 4:37.

http://videos.mtb-news.de/46302/ews_whistler_finals_raw

 

I have no idea who this is, but I like the video. Kinda shows the essence of the sport.

http://www.vitalmtb.com/videos/memb...From-a-Riders-Perspective,32051/iceman2058,94

 

This Whistler recap video is much better.

http://m.pinkbike.com/news/adversity-and-calamity-ews-rd-6-highlights-whistler-canada-2016.html

 

That...

was...

AWESOME!!!!

Not just amazing athletes, but amazing competitors. (There is a difference.)

 

Here's all you need to know, told by my favorite crazy ass French Giant rider.... Go get em Hertzy!

 

"That was nice!" "Good job, buddy"

I love Yoann Barelli. Such a great attitude. And there was some great riding in that semi-silly sort-of-self-mocking video.

As the cool people say - TFPU!!!

 

Barelli took out some serious hardware on A-Line for the Air DH...

http://www.pinkbike.com/news/yoann-Barelli-giant-a-line-cyclocross-bike-crankworx-whistler-2016.html

 

This is my favorite race format...

 

A-Line Air DH or EWS?

 

EWS Enduro racing in general. The more I watch it the more I like it!

 

EWS is MtB the way God intended. Moderate pace up fireroads or low gradient climbs (or occasional chairlift) and screaming down over rugged, challenging, fun terrain! Throw a few techy climbs in there too. Fun.

 

Agreed. And as someone who has raced XC and Enduro, I much prefer to participate in Enduro racing too.

 

And we're back! EWS #7 in Valberg France. Brutal 3 hour climb between stage 1 and the second stage (called stage 3). Stage 2 was canceled prior to the race. Too brutal to do all of that in a day.

Richie didn't have a great day and sits 8th. But the two legends at the top makes for a compelling story. Nico Vouilloz retired (at age 26) after his 10th DH World Championship the same day Sam Hill won his first Junior DH World Championship. They are locked together at the top of the leader board, with Sam ahead slightly.

Cool slide show here.

Three stages tomorrow. Richie knows how to come back from trouble, and Sam is on form for the raw, DH-y stages that are in store for tomorrow. This is cool!

 

That one section, maybe called "Iceland" was pucker inducing just looking at it! This is the only pic similar I could find, the ones in the slideshow showed some serious penalty on the left side.

 

I thought the same thing with all the photos of that area. A fall off to the left in places would most likely be fatal. And they built little kickers and jumps on the section.

 

What a race! I can't believe 9 seconds is all that separates them after 6 stages of racing over 44 minutes. How does that even happen?

It must be extremely difficult to have the killer instinct in racing that Richie Rude and Aaron Gwin have, but to get to the point in the season where you have to ride to protect your season, and not race to win the race. Mind games for sure.

But to see two legends battle it out like Sam and Nico did - what a treat. No - I didn't see any of it (yet), but the top EWS riders absolutely FLY down very difficult trails, mostly blind. Good stuff!

Click here for final results.

 

I would love to watch a course preview or commentary with him and Claudio!!!

 

Hydration pack - check. Rain jacket - check. Aluminum bike - check. Flat pedals - check. Ready for a trail ride in the Pacific Northwest ORRRR winning an EWS in France!

Spend 27 minutes here - or fast forward to the bits that interest you:
http://www.pinkbike.com/news/a-french-classic-ews-rd-7-highlights-valberg-guillaumes-2016.html

 

Yeti is an amazing bike company. They have consistently found and developed some of the top racers in the sport for 25 years, while making great bikes that are at the top of people's wish list. They have spent a ton of money on the grassroots racing level, and stayed focused on the type of bikes they want to produce. They went reluctantly to the 27.5 world because their SB66c had just become the best all-around bike in the world. But when they introduced their SB6 and SB5 - the bikes were 1 and 2 on every stage of the Winter Park EWS, under Jared and Richie. Yeti is the opposite of Specialized.

Anyway, here's a little interview and story of their team.
http://www.pinkbike.com/news/building-champions-ews-team-focus-with-yeti-2016.html

 

The next - and Final stop of the EWS for 2016 - Finale Ligure Italy.

http://www.pinkbike.com/news/welcom...-presents-finale-enduro-stage-1-2-3-2016.html

 

@herzalot has inspired me with these words. I too feel this way about Yeti. The right talent... the right company philosophy.
I have been eyeing the Ibis Ripley world, but have now placed my focus on the Yeti SB5.5
There may be one in my future.

Yeti.

 

Can't really go wrong with either, in my opinion.

 

Whoa @Mikie is eyeing a rig with 29"wheels, say it aint so. All my advantages will be gone and I'll have to up me game or kill myself trying.

 

This slide show re: Finale Ligure is terrific!

http://www.vitalmtb.com/photos/feat...igure-Italy-Recon,10515/Slideshow,0/sspomer,2

 

^^Very cool. Beautiful shots and great background information. Stage 5 looks crazy!

 

And we are halfway done with the Finale at Finale.

http://www.pinkbike.com/news/ews-round-8-finale-ligure-results-day-one.html

Anne Caro Chausson raced again - and for a final time. She kicked cancer last year, and had an amazing day today. The Greatest Of All Time will not race tomorrow. She is done with the world stage and is calling it a career.

 

The Finale at Finale is final, and really final for ACC and Nico Vouilloz.

Richie Rude rode really well, considering he only had to finish mid pack to win the overall. Sam Hill had an OK week - not like last week, but still formidable.

Here ya go:
http://www.vitalmtb.com/news/news/FINAL-RESULTS-Martin-Maes-and-Cecile-Ravanel-Win-EWS-Finale,1010

The three of you who read this thread can now rest easy.