Racing Video

Photos: Final Day, Crested Butte Ultra Enduro

09.09.2014
by

A lot of words can be used to describe the five day Ultra Enduro in Crested Butte, Colorado. Awesome. Difficult. Beautiful. Challenging. Ask any racer and you will probably hear more descriptors. One that comes to my mind is “Inspiring.” Racers pushed themselves to the limit, but always came back to the race village tired and happy.

In a race with as much variety as a five day backcountry enduro (one day inside the lift served bike park), you’ll certainly find aspects that appeal to some racers and not others. And you might find some racers who weren’t quite sure what they signed up for. But at the end of the race you probably won’t find a racer that was going home unfulfilled.

Will this race be around next year, with the promoters Big Mountain Enduro successfully winning an Enduro World Series race bid, in the Crested Butte location? We will see. Perhaps a location change will happen. Whatever the case, it’s definitely a race worth checking out.

The first stage on the final day of racing was fast and pedally. Lower on the course were some nice bike park turns in the aspens, just before the finish.
The first stage on the final day of racing was fast and pedally. Lower on the course were some nice bike park turns in the aspens, just before the finish.
Nate Hills recovered nicely after not a great first day, to end up in 5th overall.
Nate Hills recovered nicely after not a great first day, to end up in 5th overall.
Heather Irmiger on the 2nd stage, one of only two females to attempt a large rock feature. Lots of air beneath Irmiger.
Heather Irmiger on the 2nd stage, one of only two females to attempt a large rock feature. Lots of air beneath Irmiger.
Ross Schnell getting up to speed on overall Stage 10.
Ross Schnell getting up to speed on overall Stage 10.
Some roots to clear on Stage 10.
Some roots to clear on Stage 10.
Joey Schusler unfortunately had a flat which took him out of podium contention, but rode strong after a month in Canada.
Joey Schusler unfortunately had a flat which took him out of podium contention, but rode strong after a month in Canada.
Jerome Clementz charging on Stage 10. Off camber roots. Looking easy.
Jerome Clementz charging on Stage 10. Off camber roots. Looking easy.
Kathy Pruitt had to drive to California, then to Las Vegas for Interbike, so could not stick around for awards. She took the win.
Kathy Pruitt had to drive to California, then to Las Vegas for Interbike, so could not stick around for awards. She took the win.
Alex Pavon, already technically out of the race, but riding for fun, took one of the two big crashes seen on Captain Jack, a true downhill track.
Alex Pavon, already technically out of the race, but riding for fun, took one of the two big crashes seen on Captain Jack, a true downhill track.
Sarah Rawley looking strong through the rock garden.
Sarah Rawley looking strong through the rock garden.
Josh Carlson getting up to speed on Stage 11, taking the win, in preparation for Finale, Italy.
Josh Carlson getting up to speed on Stage 11, taking the win, in preparation for Finale, Italy.
Amber Naughton took the win in Women's 40+ category.
Amber Naughton took the win in Women’s 40+ category.
Captain America, sun shining on him.
Captain America, sun shining on him.
Some riders go heavily padded, some chose the other option. He rode out of this.
Some riders go heavily padded, some chose the other option. He rode out of this.
Taylor Lideen took the win in Amateur Men 19-39, but took one of the harder crashes I've seen in a long time following this photo. He went to the hospital, after finishing his run.
Taylor Lideen took the win in Amateur Men 19-39, but took one of the harder crashes I’ve seen in a long time following this photo. He went to the hospital, after finishing his run.
Entering the rock garden.
Entering the rock garden.
Macky Franklin slipped off the podium, just 30 seconds out after 5 days of racing.
Macky Franklin slipped off the podium, just 30 seconds out after 5 days of racing.
Marco Osborne took the lead on Day 1 and never looked back. This kid wanted the win badly and made his point.
Marco Osborne took the lead on Day 1 and never looked back. This kid wanted the win badly and made his point.
Osborne won the race and gets two photos. Nice work to all racers out there.
Osborne won the race and gets two photos. Nice work to all racers out there.
Pro Women Podium, CB Ultra Enduro. 1.Pruitt (not pictured) 2.Irmiger 3.Pritchett 4.Kuennen 5.Thomas
Pro Women Podium, CB Ultra Enduro. 1.Pruitt (not pictured) 2.Irmiger 3.Pritchett 4.Kuennen 5.Thomas
Champagne fight on the podium, after DC the dee-jay gets out of the way. 1.Osborne 2.Schnell 3.Clementz 4.West 5.Hills
Champagne fight on the podium, after DC the dee-jay gets out of the way. 1.Osborne 2.Schnell 3.Clementz 4.West 5.Hills
In true American fashion, after a successful season of racing the Big Mountain Enduro, race promoter Brandon Ontiveros gets completely crushed with the "proverbial" Gatorade. It was a great summer of racing. Looking forward to next season, when the Enduro World Series visits Crested Butte, CO.
In true American fashion, after a successful season of racing the Big Mountain Enduro, race promoter Brandon Ontiveros gets completely crushed with the “proverbial” Gatorade. It was a great summer of racing. Looking forward to next season, when the Enduro World Series visits Crested Butte, CO.

Words, Photos: Daniel Dunn

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