Maxxis’ sponsored riders were all over the top ten at Round 2 of the Enduro World Series, held March 31 – April 1 in Manizales, Colombia. Despite harsh, dangerous conditions during Sunday’s races, Maxxis’ riders took six top ten spots in the men’s race and four in the women’s. Marcelo Gutierrez of Giant Factory Off-Road Team took second in the men’s category for the round, with Unior Devinci Factory Racing’s Damien Oton in third place, and Youn Deniaud of Rocky Mountain Bicycles in fourth. In the women’s event, Ines Thoma of Canyon Factory Enduro Team took fourth place.
Cheering crowds lined the streets of Manizales for Saturday’s urban stage, the only race of the day. The next day’s schedule, however, called for seven stages, and nearly three inches of rain Saturday evening meant that riders contended with super-slick, muddy terrain and ultra-humid weather. Stage 6 was ultimately canceled due to dangerous conditions.
Those challenges didn’t keep other Maxxis-sponsored riders from making the top ten for the grueling event. Robin Wallner of Ibis Cycles Enduro Race Team took sixth place; Mark Scott of Santa Cruz Bicycles earned eighth place; and Jesse Melamed of Rocky Mountain/Race Face Enduro Team rounded out the top ten for the men. In the women’s race, Bex Baraona of Ibis Cycles Enduro Race Team was sixth; Alchemy Bicycles Factory Racing’s Anneke Beerten was seventh; and Orbea Enduro Team’s Becky Cook took tenth place.
Wallner and Oton are both doing well in the points race for the series, with Wallner currently ranking second for men and Oton holding third place. Round 3 is scheduled for May 12-13 in Olargues – Montagnes du Caroux, France.
Maxxis congratulates all of these riders on their fine performances.
