Perfect weather, a total of six long, alpine downhill stages that pack a punch and freshly sugared 4,000-metre peaks, including Mont Blanc and Grandes Jorasses as a photo backdrop - that's La Thuile. The fourth race of the Enduro World Series offers everything an enduro rider's heart desires - and more. As well as being one of the most beautiful courses in the world series, it is also one of the toughest. There are almost as many crashes as there are glowing brake discs, cramped forearms and exhausted riders.

Even the world's best enduro athletes have to pace themselves. Only one rider hardly seems to mind the exertions. The US American Richie Rude dominates the race weekend in a way that is almost frightening. Yeti Team rider Rude hits three times on the first day of the race and leads by over 50 seconds over Australian downhill rider Sam Hill. On the second day, Rude only had to admit defeat once. Nevertheless, he almost doubled his lead over second-placed Hill after a good 55 minutes of total downhill time. A lead of over 1.5 minutes is the equivalent of a world tour in enduro. Almost seven seconds behind Hill, Frenchman Damien Oton (Devinci Enduro Racing) rode to third place. In the overall standings, Rude clearly extends his lead over Oton.

The Swiss men are still not doing as well as hoped. Although René Wildhaber is showing an upward trend, he has to settle for 33rd place for the time being. In view of the high performance density, this result could quickly change downwards in the coming races if Wildhaber can capitalize on his improving form. Ludovic May had an unfortunate first day of racing. On the third stage, the Canyon Team rider hit a protruding branch. This drilled through the upper of his shoe and into his foot.

Ravanel with third victory - Gehrig on course for the podium

Like Rude in the men's race, Cecile Ravanel (Commençal - Vallnord) rides equally dominant in the women's race - with one small difference: the Frenchwoman sets the fastest time on each of the six downhill stages. She relegated Isabeau Coudurier (FRA - Sunn) to second place by over two minutes. Anita Gehrig takes a clear step forward. The Swiss Ibis Team rider fought her way into third place on the first day of the race with a consistent performance. However, the start to the second day of racing was not one hundred percent successful. A crash set her back a little, and things didn't go according to plan on the fifth stage either. Gehrig starts the final stage in fourth place and finishes in third. Canadian Andréane Lanthier Nadeau (Rocky Mountain - Urge) is slower, but she has enough of a lead to retain her third place at the end of the race.

Like Anita, her sister Carolin (Ibis Cycles Enduro Race Team) is also running strongly. Fifth place after the first day makes this clear. The second day also started well for her and even strengthened her fifth place. Unfortunately, Carolin Gehrig did not quite manage the fifth stage to her liking and lost too much time to her direct rivals. Even the fourth-fastest time on the final stage cannot make up for the time lost. Despite the disappointment of a better result, she can be pleased with her most consistent season to date and fifth place in the overall standings.

Always strong in the Downhill World Cup, Carina Cappellari is gaining her first experience in the Enduro World Series in La Thuile - tough experience. Where she can usually put all her energy and concentration into one run, she has to divide her power between six descents, which are more than twice as long. However, she manages this quite well and finishes in a respectable 13th place. Lea Rutz, currently the number three Swiss downhill rider, is also taking part in a World Series race for the first time. Although she had to learn the hard way, her 22nd place still puts her ahead of some experienced riders.

Results EWS #4, La Thuile / Aosta / ITA

Continuation overseas

In just two weeks, the Enduro World Series will continue on the other side of the pond, in Aspen Snowmass (USA). The biggest challenge for enduro riders there will be the thin air. The ski resort in the heart of the American Rocky Mountains stretches between around 2,400 and 3,800 meters above sea level.

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