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Photo Story: EWS Round 3 Valloire, Course Walk

20.06.2014
by
EWS_Round_3

The ski resort of Valloire sits halfway up the infamous Col du Galibier, a monstrous 2645m high pass that marks the highest pass of the Tour De France. Locals here are used to seeing a string of lycra clad road warriors, toiling on skinny bikes as they puff and pant their way to the summit. However this weekend is a bit different, the wafer thin tyres have been replaced with thick enduro specific casings and the anorexic road frames have been replaced with tough 160mm rigs. The Enduro World Series is in town, and Valloire, in cooperation with Urge Bike Products, is delivering up some big mountain goods!

This is real big mountain riding! The race will be a tough one for sure!
This is real big mountain riding! The race will be a tough one for sure!
Catching a lift to the summit for the Media ride! Racers have to walk if they want to check out the stages!
Catching a lift to the summit for the Media ride! Racers have to walk if they want to check out the stages!
Chris Ball led the charge down the hill and seemed to be enjoying himself!
Chris Ball led the charge down the hill and seemed to be enjoying himself!
There are plenty of steep sections to test both nerve and brakes!
There are plenty of steep sections to test both nerve and brakes!

The lift served race is being run in traditional French style with minimal practice, keeping it fair and minimising local advantage. 2 of the stages have been fresh cut into the grass on an ‘as yet untouched by bikes’ mountain side. The course was open today for walking inspection, but with all the stages featuring around 1000m of descending, and no lifts opened, only a few braved the 4 hour climbs to the 2400m summit to walk the special stages. Tomorrow many riders will be nervously riding the lifts, eager to get their first views of the terrain and what lies in store!

This is going to be an event that will test both body and bike!
This is going to be an event that will test both body and bike!
Big rocks dominate the upper slopes! This is where those used to big mountain terrain will be strong!
Big rocks dominate the upper slopes! This is where those used to big mountain terrain will be strong!
The stages are long, fast and rugged. Proper big mountain rinding.
The stages are long, fast and rugged. Proper big mountain rinding.

On Saturday, racers will get one practice run down Stage One, ‘La Sapiniere’, before heading back up to repeat the stage, this time for a full gas timed race run! They will then move over to Stage Two, ‘Grand Plateau’, where again they will have a practice run on the 1154m descending stage. This time racers will then have to repeat the stage twice, both timed, to put down their best times. On Sunday the action moves to the opposing mountain, where the format will be repeated on Stage Three, ‘La Setaz’, and Stage 4, ‘Les Verneys’!

These girls were the only spectators today, expect there to be bigger crowds when the racing hits off tomorrow!
These girls were the only spectators today, expect there to be bigger crowds when the racing hits off tomorrow!
Some of the lower sections will be exceptionally fast, and plenty of rocks lie in wait for the pedals of those on the gas!
Some of the lower sections will be exceptionally fast, and plenty of rocks lie in wait for the pedals of those on the gas!
In typical French style a lot of the terrain is wide open mountainside!
In typical French style a lot of the terrain is wide open mountainside!

We caught a media shuttle up the hill today to bring you some images of the stages. We cannot give away too much as the stages are still under wraps unless you walk them, but rest assured, the racing will be physical, sometimes scary and very, very fast, this is big mountain riding at its purest!

Valloise is putting the big mountain back into enduro. Incredible mountain singletrack!
Valloire is putting the big mountain back into enduro. Incredible mountain singletrack!
Valloise sits at just over 1400m and is a mecca for road cyclists and ski enthusiasts!
Valloire sits at just over 1400m and is a mecca for road cyclists and ski enthusiasts!
With rocks everywhere, racers will have to watch those pedals!
With rocks everywhere, racers will have to watch those pedals!
Back in the pits, Sean. the YETI mechanic is taking no chances. Richie Rude gets a full on thick DH tube as part of a ghetto tubeless setup!
Back in the pits, Sean. the YETI mechanic is taking no chances. Richie Rude gets a full on thick DH tube as part of a ghetto tubeless setup!
With long, demanding stages all eyes will be on this man! Can he be victorious in the strong field.
With long, demanding stages all eyes will be on this man! Can he be victorious in the strong field.
Riders queue to get started, with only walking practice allowed today, many opted to chill at the resort and do it all tomorrow..
Riders queue to get started, with only walking practice allowed today, many opted to chill at the resort and do it all tomorrow..
Chris and Enrico share some banter. With Fred Glo in the reigns on this round, Chris and Enrico have time to enjoy some riding!
Chris and Enrico share some banter. With Fred Glo in the reigns on this round, Chris and Enrico have time to enjoy some riding!
Racers check out the stages and come to terms with the task ahead!
Racers check out the stages and come to terms with the task ahead!
Sometimes the best tool for the job is indeed a hammer!
Sometimes the best tool for the job is indeed a hammer!

We will be bringing you all the action as the racing unfolds tomorrow!

Words and Photos: Trev Worsey

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