Photo Report: Racing is over at EWS Round 3 Valloire

After over 50 minutes of hard, physical racing yesterday, racers looked tired as they queued for the lift in the early light. Overnight, riders had been re-seeded and it was now fastest rider first for both men and women. This time the racing would be on the other side of the mountain, on brand new trails, and everyone knew that it was going to be tough.

What a way to start the day, another beautiful day in the Alps, but the forecast was suspect.

Riders had been reseeded over night so this time it would be fastest rider first, for both men and women! — Riders had been reseeded over night so this time it would be fastest rider first, for both men and women. This time the racing would happen on the other side of the mountain, on fresh new trails.

Although it looks like perfection, the transfer stage was rough and steep, big wheel holes and blown out ruts. Racers would ride this 5 times over the day.

Spirits were high and racers were keen to see the new stages! — Spirits were high and racers were keen to see the new stages.

The top of stage 4 was truly Alpine, big views exposure! — The top of stage 4 was truly Alpine, big views and exposure.

It was also proper rocky, a lot of racers binned it here! — It was also proper rocky, a lot of racers binned it here.

Aneeke made this section look easy, fully pinned! — Aneeke made this section look easy, fully pinned.

You could see how much Jared wanted the win, he was pedaling everywhere! — You could see how much Jared wanted the win, he was pedaling everywhere.

Damien Oton was out to impress on home soil, and started to pull back time on the lead! — Damien Oton was out to impress on home soil, and started to pull back time on the lead.

Curtis Keene wanted to show that Americans can race in France, and was also chasing Ben Cruz! — Curtis Keene wanted to show that Americans can race in France, and was also chasing Ben Cruz.

Nico Vouilloz was still bouncing back from injury, but he will be back! — Nico Vouilloz was still bouncing back from injury, but he will be back.

With the brand new course getting hit hard by the racers, new holes were appearing and berms were vanishing just as fast.

Dry and dusty and super fast! — Dry and dusty and super fast.

Racers who had suffered punctures the day before, were now seeded right at the back! Lots of overtaking was in order. Radon rider Stuart Wilcox full gas!

Would the weather play its hand today, the clouds threatened, but never materialized! — Would the weather play its hand today, the clouds threatened, but never delivered.

Tracy was dominant all day, after a defeat on Stage 4, she upped her game and took a comfortable overall win! — Tracy was dominant all day, after a defeat on Stage 4, she upped her game and took a comfortable overall win.

Justin Leov was well ahead at the end of day one, but a puncture on 5 would see him out of the running! — Justin Leov was well ahead at the end of day one, but a puncture on 5 would see him out of the running.

Joe Barnes came a solid 10th, showing that Scotland was no fluke! — Joe Barnes came a solid 10th, showing that Scotland was no fluke.

Another new turn, the course designers built some great stages! — Another new turn, the course designers built some great stages.

Condors flew just above the racers! — Vultures flew just above the racers.

Rene Wildhaber took an amazing second place overall, racing smart he was only 4 seconds off the top spot at the end of 1:20 hours of racing! — Rene Wildhaber took an amazing third place overall, racing smart he was only 4 seconds off the top spot at the end of 1:20 hours of racing.

The URGE Valloire race certainly delivered a backdrop! — The URGE Valloire race certainly delivered a backdrop.

With stages over 15 minutes, it was one of the most physically demanding races on the calendar! — With stages over 15 minutes, it was one of the most physically demanding races on the calendar.

The lower sections of stage were in the woods, where beds of flowers dominated the meadows! — The lower sections of stage were in the woods, where beds of flowers dominated the meadows.

The woods section held up well, fresh cut and un-ridden a trail soon materialized out of the dirt! — The woods section held up well, fresh cut and un-ridden a trail soon materialized out of the dirt.

All the racers loved the fresh loam! Hero dirt was everywhere! — All the racers loved the fresh loam. Hero dirt was everywhere!

There were still a few stings in the tail, Wideopen mags Mark Scott digs in! — There were still a few stings in the tail, Wideopen mags Mark Scott digs in.

After 1:24 hours of racing Tracy Moseley crosses the line and waits to see if she has done enough! — After 1:24 hours of racing Tracy Moseley crosses the line and waits to see if she has done enough.

As the seconds tick by Tracy knows the win is hers! — As the seconds tick by Tracy knows she has the win.

Elation mixes with pure exhaustion. Tracy takes another step towards the overall championship! — Elation mixes with pure exhaustion. Tracy takes another step towards the overall championship.

Anneke Beerten takes another step closer to the podium coming in 3rd! — Anneke Beerten takes another step closer to the podium coming in 3rd.

Anne Caro was close, and looked to be making a charge today, but she could not match Tracy in the end! — Anne Caro was close, and looked to be making a charge today, but she could not match Tracy in the end.

Tracy has been riding a lot with Bike Verbier and is very experienced with the Alpine riding style! — Tracy has been riding a lot with Bike Verbier and is very experienced with the Alpine riding style.

What could have been, Justin was leading strongly, but a puncture on Stage 5 would throw a spanner in the works! — What could have been, Justin was leading strongly, but a puncture on Stage 5 would throw a spanner in the works.

And what about Rene Wildhaber, just 4 seconds off the top spot! — And what about Rene Wildhaber, just 4 seconds off the top spot.

Jared realises that he has done enough to hold off Damien Oton

2nd Place for Damien Oton, he raced his heart out in front of his home crowd! — 2nd Place for Damien Oton, he raced his heart out in front of his home crowd.

Curtis Keene shows he has the pace, taking 6th place overall and just beating Ben Cruz on the last stage, (Ben came in 9th)! — Curtis Keene shows he has the pace, taking 6th place overall and just beating Ben Cruz on the last stage, (Ben came in 9th).

Results

As riders got underway, it was Nico Lau who had found his form first, despite being seeded overnight back into the pack, he put down explosive times on Stage 4 and 5, winning both and coming 2nd in the final stage. However it is academic as Nico was still minutes behind after a puncture on stage 2 yesterday, but it will help in the overall. After Stage 4, the overnight top 3 remained the same with Leov, Graves and Wildhaber all doing enough to hold onto spots 1,2,3 respectively. Strong performances from Oton and Gracia started the French attack and brought them within 2 seconds of the top spots, sitting in 4th and 5th.

It all changed on Stage 5 when Leov suffered a puncture and his dreams of winning were dashed. In the end it was the mighty Jared Graves who charged to victory after 2 exceptional final stages, pedaling everywhere he really wanted the win, and did enough to claim it. Damien Oton almost claimed a French victory, with a nail biting finish he was just 3.5 seconds back from the top spot, taking 2nd overall.

For the women it looks like Anne Caro has started the day with one mission in mind, to catch up. She won Stage 1 by a 20 second margin and looked really strong. Could she pull back the 50 second lead that Tracy still held, it would be a big task. In the end Tracy was just too strong and took the well deserved victory, and another step towards the championship. Anneke Beerten looked delighted to take 3rd, and will be sure to feature heavily on future podiums.

Full results can be downloaded here and here.

Words and Photos: Trev Worsey

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Photo Report: Racing is over at EWS Round 3 Valloire

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