A punishing 1,548 meter descent on the last stage of the day would claim more than a few victims today in the CamelBak Canadian Open Enduro presented by Specialized at Crankworx Whistler – notably the exhausted- and devastated-looking Richie Rude (USA), sweat dripping from his face, who rolled into the finish corral with a flat – but not Martin Maes (BEL).
Martin Maes
Martin Maes:
It’s amazing. I think two or three years ago I was leading before the last stage. It’s kind of redemption for me. It just feels amazing. I’m super stoked.
On top of the absolution of winning in Whistler, today’s top step in the sixth round of the Enduro World Series marks the end of a string of near-firsts. Maes has placed second in three of the five rounds of the EWS this year.
The 21-year-old was well-positioned for most of the day, a day that dawned misty and cool after a sprinkling of rain the day before, but it was incredibly close amongst the men.
Sam Hill
Rude took the win on Micro Climate, the first stage of the day, a past favourite of the EWS stop in Whistler. The American lost time after hitting a tree on Stage Two, the most technical of the day, and Eddie Masters (NZL) would surge ahead for the stage win, while Maes held fast in second. His consistency would boost him to the top of the overall after two, but only 00:00.06 ahead of Masters, and less than a second ahead of Rude.
He maintained his narrow overall lead through the third and fourth stages, taking his first stage win of the day on Stage Four. But with such a narrow lead, and the longest stage of the day ahead, he said he knew the day could be won or lost on Stage Five.
Richie Rude
Martin Maes:
The last stage is such a big one. I knew there was a lot of time to make or to lose on that stage. I was just super motivated. I didn’t want to let the win away.
Maes clocked the fastest time on the last stage, bringing him to 0:41:01.99 in the overall. Sam Hill (AUS) would finish his day in second, an identical finish to last year, with an overall time of 0:41:43.73, while third place went to Masters who crossed the finish line in 0:41:48.54.
Martin Maes:
It’s an amazing feeling to win here at Crankworx. It’s a huge event and there is much more spectators usually and it’s the place to win, really.
Caroline Buchanan
The same message was shared by the Pro Women’s winner.
Cecile Ravanel:
It’s my favourite race here, so it’s my goal of the year. When you win Whistler, it’s like the World Champs. It’s important for an enduro rider.
Cecile Ravanel
Asked whether, knowing she held a substantial lead heading into the final stage, she was focused on riding smooth and consistent on the last, and longest, stage of the day, Ravanel answered emphatically: “No, no, no. Full gas.”
And while the top of the podium was Ravanel’s with her time of 0:47:24.95, the battle for third seemed to elicit almost as much emotion. Isabeau Courdurier (FRA) maintained second for most of the day while Andreane Lanthier Nadeau (CAN) sat in third overall, nipping at Courdurier’s heels and pushing ahead of her for a second place finish on Stage Four. But come the final descent, Noga Korem (TUR) made a final, surprising, surge.
Katy Winton
Noga Korem:
I was sure that ALN [Nadeau] got third place, so I came to congratulate her, and a few minutes later she came and said ‘Hey, you got it,’ and I was like, ‘No way.’ I know she had a big gap on me on the last stage, and for sure I gave it all. I really, really wanted the podium, and I’m just so excited. To be on the podium in Whistler, it means a lot. I’m super happy with it.
Korem’s final overall time was 50:15.3, behind Courdurier’s 48:50.13.
Full results are available HERE.
Enduro World Series podium
The Enduro World Series next rolls on to its penultimate round in Spain, while downhill will take center stage at Crankworx Whistler, with the Garbanzo DH coming in hot on Tuesday, and the Fox Air DH taking to iconic A-Line on Wednesday, with the latter live on crankworx.com.
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Official website: crankworx.com
Official website: enduroworldseries.com
Photos: Fraser Britton, Enduro World Series