As riders rest after an exciting day of racing, probably trying to sneeze out the buckets of dust they no doubt inhaled from the crazy tracks, amazing ‘face shot’ photos are spreading through the media. Argentina is delivering in every way and the racing looks set to go to the wire today. Richie Rude and Cecile Ravanel are again showing their dominance, but in such loose conditions a time-consuming error is always only a heartbeat away, so it’s not over yet. Here is the action from Day One, direct from the EWS team.

In perhaps the wildest conditions the series has ever experienced, riders tackled three stages of loose, knee deep dust that threw up an incredibly tight first day of racing. Mechanicals, crashes and some new faces at the sharp end got the second race of the year off to an electric start.

Today the riders will face the challenge of the final three stages.
Today the riders will face the challenge of the final three stages.
An incredible day for Toni Ferreiro with a stage win and 3rd overall
An incredible day for Toni Ferreiro with a stage win and 3rd overall

Much like last weekend in Chile, Richie Rude (Yeti/Fox Shox) and Cecile Ravanel (Commencal Vallnord Enduro) finish the first day of racing in the lead. However, whilst Cecile has a comfortable 39 second lead over nearest rival Isabeau Courdurier (SUNN), Richie will be very aware that Martin Maes (GT/Factory Racing) is chasing him down and only has 4.4 seconds to make up.

After a less than favourable stage 2 Josh Carlson is in 10th position after the first day of racing.
After a less than favourable stage 2 Josh Carlson is in 10th position after the first day of racing.
Franca VISOKOLSKIS from Argentina on the start of stage 3
Franca VISOKOLSKIS from Argentina on the start of stage 3
The liason to stage 3 headed up into the alpine
The liason to stage 3 headed up into the alpine

Casey Brown (Trek Factory Racing) and Tony Ferreiro added some fresh blood to the top three – with both sitting third at the end of day one. Incredibly this is Casey’s first race – she sat out last weekend’s race in Chile due to illness. And even more impressively she lost her chain on the final stage of the day and still took third on the stage.

Casey Brown is getting pretty familiar with the dust
Casey Brown is getting pretty familiar with the dust
Casey Brown takes a moment after finding out her current standing in the women's results.
Casey Brown takes a moment after finding out her current standing in the women’s results.
Following on from her confident performance at round 1, Cecile Ravanel had a strong start to the weekend.
Following on from her confident performance at round 1, Cecile Ravanel had a strong start to the weekend.

Meanwhile Spanish rider Toni only gained his spot through the EWS Wild Card entry system. Another notable new face was Lewis Buchanan (BMC Factory Racing) who was sitting in third place after the first two stages, until a spectacular over the bars on stage three saw him drop back to fifth place.

Despite this Lewis Buchanan still managed a 7th place on the 3rd stage
Despite this Lewis Buchanan still managed a 7th place on the 3rd stage
Richie Rude weaving his way through crowds on stage 2
Richie Rude weaving his way through crowds on stage 2
u21 leader Sebastien Claquin on the first stage of the day
u21 leader Sebastien Claquin on the first stage of the day
Josh Lewis racing down the start of stage 3 with plenty of verical metres to be had
Josh Lewis racing down the start of stage 3 with plenty of verical metres to be had

There was few riders that had three clean stages today, with the insane levels of dust claiming most riders at some point during the day. Special mentions should go to Damien Oton (Devinci Enduro Racing), Greg Callaghan (Cube Action Team) and Katy Winton (Trek Factory Racing) for some of the most impressive crashes the series has ever witnessed.

The liason times have allowed riders to take their time time to each stage
The liason times have allowed riders to take their time time to each stage
Follow the racing live today on the Enduro World Series website.
Follow the racing live today on the Enduro World Series website.

With three stages left to race on Sunday, and no rain forecast to dampen down the dust, there’s plenty more of excitement left in this race.

Words: Trev Worsey and Enduro World Series Photos: Duncan Philpott


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