It was Anita Gehrig's declared goal for the season to make it onto the World Series podium this enduro season. But when she was within touching distance of third place at the fourth race in La Thuile, Italy, she just couldn't get it - the disappointment was huge. However, the tide turned in Aspen/Snowmass (USA). She got off to a good but still somewhat reserved start to the race, but then steadily improved and was in third place after the first day of racing - despite a crash. The starting position is therefore the same as in La Thuile, except that the racers between second and seventh place are very close together. The Ibis rider was able to withstand this pressure and even moved up to second place, ahead of the Frenchwoman Isabeau Coudurier (Sunn). Cecile Ravanel (Commençal Vallnord) was once again no match for her. The Frenchwoman took her fourth victory in this year's series with best times on all downhill stages.

In terms of results alone, sixth place is not Carolin Gehrig's career best. In terms of the gap to the podium, however, it is. After a very even race, she was less than 30 seconds behind third-placed Courdurier - after more than 55 minutes of added race time, that's not much. This should also boost her confidence that a podium is already possible this season.

There has been a change in the women's overall standings. Thanks to her second place, Anita Gehrig is now in third place behind Isabeau Courdurier and Cecile Ravanel. Carolin Gehrig is still in fifth place. However, she has moved a little closer to fourth-placed Ines Thoma (Canyon/GER).

Results EWS #5 Aspen/Snowmass USA
Overall ranking after EWS #5

Graves and Wildhaber back to their old strength

Australian Jared Graves didn't seem to really get going after switching teams to Specialized. An eighth place at the series opener in Chile was the defending World Series champion's best result to date. In Aspen, Graves found his old strength again and hammered one best time after another into the dusty tracks. After five stage wins, his series of best times comes to an end, but the Australian still wins the race with the 50th stage time, and not too close either. His lead over Cube rider Nico Lau (FRA), who had only seen the podium from the outside so far, is almost 45 seconds.

Also on the podium for the first time this season is Jérôme Clementz. The French Cannondale rider rode a solid race and laid the foundations for his first podium finish of the season in the fourth stage on the second day of the race. In the end, Clementz has a cushion of around twelve seconds on fourth-placed Martin Maes.
It has not been René Wildhaber's season so far. Injuries and a difficult restart have slowed down the living freeride legend. The fact that his form has been on the rise of late was evident from his feelings and results analysis. At the Enduro World Series race in Aspen/Snowmass, Wildhaber came close to his usual performance again. A solid race with riding times between 21st and 7th place put the Trek rider in eleventh place at the end - a result that can be considered very good given the ever-increasing power density.

Yeti Team rider Richie Rude is still leading the overall standings. His 25th place - due to a training injury - had little effect on his large points lead over Damien Oton (Devinci/FRA) and Jérôme Clementz. René Wildhaber worked his way up to 34th place and Ludo May (Canyon/SUI) slipped to 39th. At least he can ride again despite his foot injury and with 49th place in Snowmass not bad at all.

Results EWS #5 Aspen/Snowmass USA
Overall ranking after EWS #5

Highlight video EWS #5 Aspen

"World Championships" in Whistler

Of course, there are no official world championships in enduro yet. However, the sixth World Series stop in Whistler, Canada, is almost synonymous with this, as the race is virtually the prelude to the legendary Crankworks Festival in the world's most famous bike park. The riders enjoy far more attention there than anywhere else.
The race in Whistler takes place on August 14 and consists of five stages. The last stage will be broadcast live on the web, as is customary.