Racing

The Big Picture | EWS Rotorua – prepare for a rumble in the jungle

27.03.2015
by

Once again we stand on the precipice of a new season, and excitement hangs as heavy as the volcanic sulphur that fills the air. Tomorrow we will know who has worked hardest through the winter and who has fallen off the pace. Even though the season is long the first round always sets the tone, highlighting new talents and creating new battles.

With seven stages to race in one day it will be an epic adventure for all, many still nursing bruises from practice. In the slick conditions many racers have hit the deck, but all have loved the experience of racing under the Californian Coast Redwood trees and exotic ferns of the native forest. Jared is out but the race is filled with the biggest names in enduro, Fabian is fit and strong, Jerome is looking as smooth as ever and Tracy is fully pinned – but there are some wildcards in there too. With furious pace and exceptional fitness Sam Blenkinsop could go well here in front of a home crowd, and Cecile is on a new team with a new bike and looking fast as hell.

As the sun sets on the final day of practice, clouds brew on the horizon
As the sun sets on the final day of practice, clouds brew on the horizon
Rotorua is a crazy place, no place for a duck anyway!
Rotorua is a crazy place, no place for a duck anyway!
The forest is full of exotic plants and incredible birdlife
The forest is full of exotic plants and incredible birdlife

The last day of practice allowed the racers to check out the final two stages (Stage 4 and 5) and they could not be more different. Stage 4 will be a firm favourite for those who like to smash the pedals – with so much flow and minimal technical sections. However Stage 5 left some looking shell shocked and there will be much nervous reflection tonight. The slippery diagonal roots and off camber drops sent nearly all the riders into the trees or onto the dirt, racers will have to find that fine line between saving elusive seconds, or losing a whole bunch. With rain forecast it will not get any easier.

This section was catching everyone out, tangled roots to off-camber ledge to diagonal roots...rowdy
This section was catching everyone out, tangled roots to off-camber ledge to diagonal roots…rowdy
In the enduro facial hair competition, it's Mark Weir or.....
In the enduro facial hair competition, it’s Mark Weir or…..
Joe barnes - both have excelled themselves
Joe barnes – both have excelled themselves

At the end of tomorrow we will have our victors, but in the end it’s the sport of enduro that is the true winner. The Enduro World Series has brought so many European and American riders to New Zealand (many for the first time) and with a growing field of young talent forging careers it looks to be a great season ahead. Even with the madness of Crankworx pulsing through the media channels, many of the visiting spectators are here for the EWS, travelling from all over the world to watch their heroes fight it out under the forest canopy.

Aussie shredder Michael Ronning was loving the fast and flowing Stage Four
Aussie shredder Michael Ronning was loving the fast and flowing Stage Four
Martin Maes was on form - will this be his year
Martin Maes was on form – will this be his year?
Manu Ducci looked really comfortable on the new Ibis HD3
Manu Ducci looked really comfortable on the new Ibis HD3
Anneke Beerten was foot out fast, but how much will winning the Cranworx Pump Track challenge cost to her energy
Anneke Beerten was foot out fast, but how much will winning the Crankworx Pump Track challenge cost to her energy
Anne Caro is always a contender and she will want the win this year
Anne Caro is always a contender and she will want the win this year
Even though it was just practice, everyone was hauling
Even though it was just practice, everyone was hauling
Richie Rude looked to have enough power to tear the skin from the earth
Richie Rude looked to have enough power to tear the skin from the earth
What will Dan Atherton bring to the table this year?
What will Dan Atherton bring to the table this year?
Damien Oton, always dangerous
Damien Oton, always dangerous
It will be a epic day for all tomorrow. Stay tuned for the full story.
It will be an epic day for all tomorrow. Stay tuned for the full story.

Due to the crazy time difference, as you read this, racing will already be underway in New Zealand – the first racers will be released under the shadow of the Te-Puia thermal pools by a Maori warrior, true kiwi style. Will it be a season dominated by the usual suspects, or will there be a change in the guard – soon we will know.

Words and photos: Trev Worsey

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