Richie Rude crushing the second EWS course of 2021

Maxxis Race Report: EWS Rounds #1 and #2

The highly anticipated Enduro World Series kicked off with back-to-back rounds in Val Di Fassa Trentino, Italy last week. Set in the majestic view of the Dolomites, racers were in for a treat at this venue. It’s a wonder in itself that riders were able to focus on the tracks and not continuously stare at the beauty around them.

The Dolomites behind Richie Rude

A whip tossed by a Pivot Factory Racer in front of the mountain views

Jack Moir relaxing in the pits

The first round brought four stages to the table, including a Queen Stage that provided extra points to the winning racers. Maxxis athlete Morgan Charre (Pivot Factory Racing) took second place in Elite Women, while Andreane Lanthier Nadeau (Rocky Mountain/RaceFace Enduro Team) just slipped out of a podium position and into fourth place. In the Elite Men’s race, it was Maxxis podium domination; Richie Rude (Yeti/Fox Factory Racing) took the win over Jack Moir (Canyon Collective) by less than half a second – the closest winning margin in the Elite Men category in EWS history! Rude rolled to victory on a pair of Maxxis Assegai tires. Jesse Melamed (Rocky Mountain/RaceFace Enduro Team) rounded out the podium in third place.

More racing action

Richie Rude smashing

Men's podium, EWS #1

With Canyon Collective in first, Pivot Factory Racing in second, and Rocky Mountain/RaceFace Enduro Team in third, Maxxis teams swept the team category podium for round one.

Team podium, EWS #1

Going into round two, riders were faced with a new challenge for 2021 – the first ever Pro Stage. As the first stage of the second race in Val Di Fassa, this stage was the sole race on Friday and included pro category racers only. To make matters even more difficult, as the Elite Women were racing down the pro stage, the heavens opened up and down came the rain. Despite the challenges, Maxxis rider Kate Lawrence (GT Coalition) slotted into third.  Déjà vu struck in the Elite Men with Richie, Jack, and Jesse landing first through third place again.

Slippery Pro Stage

Wet conditions

Keeping style, even with the rain

Richie excels in wet conditions

Saturday, the last day of racing, finally arrived to wrap up an exciting week of EWS. With the course still drying out from Friday’s rain, riders were pushed to their limits. Morgane Charre kept her consistency alive with a second place finish in Elite Women. After winning the first stage on Saturday, everyone thought Richie Rude might be unstoppable – except for Jack Moir. Still hungry after losing by only a half second to Richie during round one, Moir (equipped with the Maxxis Assegai and Minion DHR II tires) rallied all the way till the end on Saturday and took his first ever EWS victory!

Jack Moir crushing the last day of racing

Men's podium, round #2

EWS #2 Women's podium

Maxxis teams once again swept the team category podium with Canyon Collective in first, Pivot Cycles Factory Racing in second, and Ibis Cycles Enduro Race Team in third.

Team's podium for EWS #2

As the dust (or mud?) settles, we’re already excited to see the EWS battles continue at rounds three and four in two weeks!