With the birth of a new race comes intrigue and expectation, little was known about the Rezia region’s riding scene which left racers with a thirst to be quenched. Being the debut event it was unclear how the racing would unfold, but at the halfway point it was clear that when the countdown at the start line began, caution was well and truly thrown to the wind.

Reigning EWS champ Tracy Moseley was on the hunt after a puncture on the second day, leaving her with an uphill task to overhaul the deficit to Nathalie Schneitter and Meggie Bichard ahead of her. It was far from an easy task with Nathalie’s pedalling prowess proving fruitful on the long and physical stages, until Nathalie also fell foul to the rough Rezia rocks, allowing Tracy to erode the lead and take her usual spot atop the box. Fuji’s Meggie Bichard rode a strong and consistent race which saw her in second at the close of play with Nathalie in third.

Pre-race favorite James Shirley held a relatively slender lead in the grand scheme of things at the halfway point, with no room for mistakes or mechanicals which would give the lurking Davide Sottocornola a sniff of victory. As it turned out the fluctuating stage by stage lead ultimately went in favour of James who focused on keeping it consistent and not on outright stage wins which would have risked mistakes or mechanicals. Davide Sottocornola came home in second, with Rose’s Simon Gegenheimer in third. A performance worth noting is the ride of ‘amateur’ Charles Jones who was visually quicker in sections than anyone else, picking up stage wins and taking third overall in the scratch.

The journey the riders took across the six days will be remembered thanks to the physicalities, sections of singletrack gold, great hospitality, fantastic company and some of the best never ending scenery this earth has to offer… See for yourself;

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Denny Lupato throwing some horns on the early morning Bernina Express train ride.
Denny Lupato throwing some horns on the early morning Bernina Express train ride.
 Unreal views everywhere you look!
Unreal views everywhere you look!
Another crisp morning in the mountains.
Another crisp morning in the mountains.
Not your average stage transitions!
Not your average stage transitions!
James Shirley was on flamboyant form but his victory was far from easy.
James Shirley was on flamboyant form but his victory was far from easy.
Some brutally long days meant the mountain refuges were well used by the racers to stock up on food and fluids.
Some brutally long days meant the mountain refuges were well used by the racers to stock up on food and fluids.
After 6 days without rain the trails had some sections of deep dust, feet up, flat out!
After 6 days without rain the trails had some sections of deep dust, feet up, flat out!
Charles Jones was lapping up the blind stages and obliterated the entire field on the first of two runs down a steep and natural trail offering above Aprica.
Charles Jones was lapping up the blind stages and obliterated the entire field on the first of two runs down a steep and natural trail offering above Aprica.
Get to zee choppa!
Get to zee choppa!
 7 minutes of effortless, smile filled climbing.
7 minutes of effortless, smile filled climbing.
No bikes were harmed in the making of this photo.
No bikes were harmed in the making of this photo.
This crew knew what they were doing with the helicopter offloaded and turned around in the blink of an eye.
This crew knew what they were doing with the helicopter offloaded and turned around in the blink of an eye.
A quick pause for Tracy above the clouds.
A quick pause for Tracy above the clouds.
Chris Kilmurray of Point1 Athletic took a break from training some of the world’s best to put himself on track.
Chris Kilmurray of Point1 Athletic took a break from training some of the world’s best to put himself on track.
Despite getting lost on the first day and losing bags of time, Denny Lupato reminded everyone he was there with a handful of stage wins.
Despite getting lost on the first day and losing bags of time, Denny Lupato reminded everyone he was there with a handful of stage wins.
Meg Bichard’s looked comfortable all week and was rewarded with a second place.
Meg Bichard’s looked comfortable all week and was rewarded with a second place.
Simon takes his espressos seriously…
Simon takes his espressos seriously…
Whilst Nathalie goes for the more sophisticated approach.
Whilst Nathalie goes for the more sophisticated approach.
Rider’s tired legs were thankful by the last day’s lift oriented approach.
Rider’s tired legs were thankful by the last day’s lift oriented approach.
But that didn’t mean they were without climbing.
But that didn’t mean they were without climbing.
Davide Sottocornola was pinned on the opening stage of the final day, lighting up the loamy turns.
Davide Sottocornola was pinned on the opening stage of the final day, lighting up the loamy turns.
Nathalie Schneitter didn’t look out of place on the enduro stages, a busy end to season will see her compete in the Vallnord XC world cup this weekend before the final two EWS rounds in Valberg and Finale.
Nathalie Schneitter didn’t look out of place on the enduro stages, a busy end to season will see her compete in the Vallnord XC world cup this weekend before the final two EWS rounds in Valberg and Finale.
Bontrager’s Sam Foos made the trip over from the states to sample the Italian trails and let us sample some Bontrager rubber and apparel.
Bontrager’s Sam Foos made the trip over from the states to sample the Italian trails and let us sample some Bontrager rubber and apparel.
The final stage late in the day proved tricky with patchy light making it difficult to read the trail.
The final stage late in the day proved tricky with patchy light making it difficult to read the trail.
It was never really in doubt was it?! Despite losing over 6 minutes with a puncture Tracy battled her way back to the front and even got up at 5am following her victory to drive to Switzerland for the Trek Bike Attack. Commitment!
It was never really in doubt was it?! Despite losing over 6 minutes with a puncture Tracy battled her way back to the front and even got up at 5am following her victory to drive to Switzerland for the Trek Bike Attack. Commitment!
Top 3 Women; 1) Tracy Moseley 2) Meggie Bichard 3) Nathalie Schneitter
Top 3 Men; 1) James Shirley 2) Davide Sottocornola 3) Simon Gegenheimer
Top 3 Men; 1) James Shirley 2) Davide Sottocornola 3) Simon Gegenheimer
Top 3 Women; 1) Tracy Moseley 2) Meggie Bichard 3) Nathalie Schneitter

Missed the opening report? TRANS REZIA MID REPORT: A BAPTISM OF FIRE

For more information visit the Trans Rezia Website.


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