The first-ever Enduro World Championships in Italy didn’t disappoint, serving up some wild conditions. Riders faced everything from wintry high-altitude snow to lush green trails lower down. After five intense stages in the Dolomites, the first rainbow jerseys in Enduro history have been handed out.
Isabeau Courdurier capped off her already impressive career with another big win, becoming the first women’s enduro World Champion. She took three stage wins and fought hard against Melanie Pugin across the five stages. Courdurier finished just 11 seconds ahead, proving she’s still at the top of her game. Morgane Charre made it a French top-three, but trailed Courdurier by over a minute. Canadian Andreane Lanthie Nadeau placed an impressive sixth place with Lily Boucher taking 28th.
In a perfect day for French enduro, Alex Rudeau claimed victory in the men’s race after dominating four of the five stages. Rudeau led the way, leaving only the final stage win for Louis Jeandel, who edged past Richie Rude to grab the silver medal. World Cup series winner Richie Rude had a solid day but had to settle for third overall after the five stages. Canadian Jack Menzies of the Canyon Collective Enduro team placed sixth. Coming in 13th, 14th and 15th, were Elliot Jamison, Evan Wall and Jesse Melamed respectively.
The Enduro course included five special stages within the total 42.4 kms, comprising 1,200m of climbing and 2,800m descending. The conditions were challenging, with snow impacting the race. Heavy snowfalls led to a one-day delay and a course modification to keep it below the snow-line at Val de Fassa Trentino in the Italian Pyrenees.
The event saw many talented riders competing, including New Zealand enduro pioneer, Rae Morrison who scored a top-10 performance to lead the kiwi riders. Morrison (LIV Racing), in her final competition as a fulltime professional, celebrated with 10th place in the first-ever enduro world championships to lead all kiwis, after world No 3 ranked kiwi Charles Murray, withdrew with illness in the men’s competition. Super-talented young kiwis made their mark as the leading teenagers, with junior world champion in downhill, Erice van Leuven (Commencal les Orres) finishing 14th overall and Rotorua’s Joe Millington 42nd overall respectively among the elites.
Morrison was delighted with her effort, finishing 2:59 down on winner Isabeau Courdurier (FRA). The kiwi rider was consistent throughout in the challenging conditions, finishing 10th fastest in each of the last two stages to confirm her strong placing. There was considerable merit in the performance of van Leuven, just 17, after claiming her second junior downhill world title two weeks ago, finishing 14th overall in the elite enduro world championship.
Meanwhile Nelson’s George Swift was an excellent fifth place in the women’s e-enduro, 2m8s down on winner Estelle Charles (FRA) after being consistently in the top five for most of the stages. Best of the kiwi men was Bay of Plenty’s Matthew Walker who finished 11th overall, with the Pivot Factory rider, a regular on the downhill world circuit, finishing 1:04 down on the winner.
The first Enduro World Championships were a big success. The event showcased the incredible talent and skill of enduro racers from all over the world. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for this exciting discipline.
