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Big Picture | The Tweedlove EWS Ignites Scotland’s Passion

01.06.2015
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The Cannondale Alpine Bikes World Enduro will be remembered for two things – the wild weather of the Tweed Valley, Scotland and the charge of Trek.

History runs deep in Scotland
History runs deep in Scotland, this is a land built for those who seek adventure
The morning light show on Saturday was a welcome sight
The morning light show on Saturday was a welcome sight
This is why people move to the Tweed Valley
This is why people move to the Tweed Valley

The 600 riders faced every kind of weather imaginable in the last five days; sunshine, hail stones and even gale force winds. In the end it was only the latter that changed the state of play, with organisers TweedLove forced to cancel two of Sunday’s stages for safety reasons.

The first rider heads out into the unknown
The first rider heads out into the unknown, with two long days of racing to battle
It's always good to see Will at an EWS
It’s always good to see Will at an EWS, look at for a full interview with this cool guys soon
The Expo looked amazing at first light
The Expo looked amazing at first light, it was great to see the colours back on the green

However, the shorter course and crazy weather did nothing to dampen the race, with tight times and an ever changing lead emerging in the men’s race. But it was Trek Factory Racing Enduro Team’s Justin Leov who graced the top step on the podium – claiming his first ever Enduro World Series win.

The rocks at the top of Stage 1 needed to be hit with confidence
The rocks at the top of Stage 1 needed to be hit with confidence
The 'Classic' was indeed a classic, fast and steep with plenty of gnar
The ‘Classic’ was indeed a classic, fast and steep with plenty of gnar
Dodging big rocks was the name of the game
Dodging big rocks was the name of the game, the broken sunlight made focus hard

The kiwi was lying in fifth place after day one, but an incredible time in the final stage of the day pushed him into first place, with Florian Nicolai (Rocky Mountain Urge Bp Rally Team) just three seconds behind in second place. Last week’s winner Greg Callaghan (Cube Action Team) had to settle for third.

Some of the rocks were showing some serious battle scars....
Some of the rocks were showing some serious battle scars….
It's easy to see why
It’s easy to see why

Speaking about his win he said: “It’s not really sunk in yet because I didn’t think I could bring it back as much as I did after day one. It was a big surprise when I crossed the line and saw the screen – I had to take a couple of looks. It feels amazing”

Local shredder Drew Carters was on fire through Waterworld
Local shredder Drew Carters was on fire through Waterworld
Gee Atherton was looking hungry through the Waterworld stage
Dan Atherton was looking hungry, pushing the bike hard
Oops, handlebar malfuntion
Oops, handlebar malfuntion

In the women’s race Trek’s Tracy Moseley once again dominated the race to ensure the team became the first in the competition’s history to take the win in both the men and women’s competition in a single race. Tracy won all but the last stage of the day which she conceded to Anneke Beerten (Specialized). Anne Caroline Chausson (Ibis) took second after a consistent day in the saddle with Cecile Ravanel (Commencal Vallnord Enduro Team) in third.

Jerome may not have had the result he wanted, but he was sure enjoying playing on the corners
Jerome may not have had the result he wanted, but he was sure enjoying playing on the corners
...everyone else kept it safe in the low line....
…everyone else kept it safe in the low line….
...boom, nailed it
…boom, nailed it

Tracy added: “I won here last year so you always hope to come back and win again – it’s the home race and the one I wanted to win for the year. But the races are getting more and more competitive and you can never just expect to turn up and win.

Flat out down the brown pow heather run
Flat out down the ‘brown pow’ heather run
The top of Stage Three had been strimmed in just before the event
The top of Stage Three had been strimmed in just before the event
Into the dark, rider sstruggled with the transition from bright light to dark forest
Into the dark, rider struggled with the transition from bright light to dark forest

“We’ve got a really good vibe going with the team now and I’m really lucky I’ve got two guys like Rene and Justin to train with and that makes a big difference – I get pulled up to speed really quickly. We’ve got a really great set-up now and I think that makes a really big difference – it’s a winning combination for sure.

Despite the big climbs, everyone was still enjoying the equally big views
Despite the big climbs, everyone was still enjoying the equally big views
I have no idea how Mitch Ropalato held onto this 30mph wheel tuck - but he did
I have no idea how Mitch Ropalato held onto this 30mph wheel tuck – but he did
The steep chutes of Stage 3 caused more than a few moments, no problems for Crawford Carrick Anderson though
The steep chutes of Stage 3 caused more than a few moments, no problems for Crawford Carrick Anderson though

Trek now head into round four in Samoans, France leading the men’s, women’s and team competitions.

This is what makes riding in Scotland so good
This is what makes riding in Scotland so good
Conditions were muddy, but the day was better than expected
Conditions were muddy, but the day was better than expected
With a twelve minute final stage, riders were exhausted
With a twelve minute final stage, riders were exhausted

In the Under 21 category it was great to see a truly international field – with no less than than nine nationalities represented. In the men’s competition it was Reece Wilson (Unior Tools Team) from Scotland who claimed the win, with Adrien Dailly (Lapierre Gravity Republic) of France in second and Daniel Schemmel (Do-Biker/Scott) of Germany in third.

Justin Leov put down a blinder in Stagey 8 to steal a victor
Justin Leov put down a blinder in Stagey 8 to steal a victor
Joe was a favourite but crashed hard on Stage 4 and had to have his shoulder wrapped for day 2
Joe was a favourite but crashed hard on Stage 4 and had to have his shoulder wrapped for day 2
These two excited fans carried up bagpipes to bring the riders home, chapeau!
These two excited fans carried up bagpipes to bring the riders home, chapeau!
The climb of doom, halfway down Stage 8 the terrain pitched upwards
The climb of doom, halfway down Stage 8 the terrain pitched upwards

Germany’s Raphaella Richter (Radon Factory Racing) won the women’s under 21 competition, with France’s Axelle Murigneux (Chamrousse Enduro Team) and local lady Lucy Grant of Peebles Cycling Club in third.

Tweedlove, the family enduro!
Tweedlove, the family enduro!
I have no idea what this is, but this kid was rad on it
I have no idea what this is, but this kid was rad on it
The bike track was a hit for the kids
The bike track was a hit for the kids
Plenty of cool kids had turned up to cheer for their favourite rider - or maybe drink the champagne?
Plenty of cool kids had turned up to cheer for their favourite rider – or maybe drink the champagne?
Spirits were high as results were checked
Spirits were high as results were checked
Style for miles
Style for miles
The media had been all over it, showing Scotland at it's best
The media had been all over it, showing Scotland at it’s best
That's what Enduro is all about!
That’s what Enduro is all about!
These lads had gone to great lengths (and drunk plenty of booze)
These lads had gone to great lengths (and drunk plenty of booze)
Joe Barnes was a hit with the local fans
Joe Barnes was a hit with the local fans

Former World Cup downhiller and local legend Crawford Carrick Anderson (Santa Cruz/Sweet Protection) cleaned up in every stage to take the Master’s win, with Woody Hole (Hope Technology) and Dan Greenwood (Orange Factory Racing) in third.

Justin Leov takes the top spot after two days of racing
Justin Leov takes the top spot after two days of racing
Tracy was unstoppable all weekend, Scotland was always her round
Tracy was unstoppable all weekend, Scotland was always her round
This should be renamed the Legacy Enduro World Series as it has inspired a generation
This should be renamed the ‘Legacy’ Enduro World Series, inspiring a generation
Check the enterprising kid collecting the champagne for later
Check the enterprising kid collecting the champagne for later
Trek Factory Racing were dominant at the EWS in the Tweed Valley
Trek Factory Racing were dominant at the EWS in the Tweed Valley
The tradition of dousing young kids in champagne continues
The tradition of dousing young kids in champagne continues
Tracy Moseley, the people's champion
Tracy Moseley, the people’s champion
After the podiums are over, what is left behind? A generation of motivated kids, that's what
After the podiums are over, what is left behind? A generation of motivated kids, that’s what

For the full results, image and video coverage from this weekend head to www.enduroworldseries.com

Words: EWS Media

Photos: Trev Worsey

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