As June 2023 rolled around, it was time for the third round of the EDR World Cup in Pietra Ligure, Italy. The overall standings start to gain some shape after this point in the season, and you can count on riders to push their hardest to earn a place in the history books. Happening alongside the EDR World Cup was the first round of the E-EDR World Cup, which is gaining popularity and momentum as a sport after a great year in 2022.

E-Bike racing was at its finest in Pietra Ligure with stunning views and gnarly race tracks. Flo Espiñeira (Orbea Enduro Team) took second in the Women’s field in a follow-up to a strong 2022 season from the Pinkbike Academy Winner. Ines Thoma (Canyon Bikes) was close behind in fourth place. The E-Enduro World Champion from last year, Yannick Pontal (SRAM Factory Enduro), had a solid start to the season by taking fourth in the Men’s race.

The EDR race was brutal. Six stages were on tap with a total length of 56km, 2,070m of climbing and 3,105m of descending. It all started with the Junior categories, with Maxxis athlete Emmy Lan (Forbidden Bikes) taking the dub in the U21 Women’s race. JT Fisher (Yeti Fox) grabbed fifth place in U21 Men.

The Women’s race saw Ibis Racing’s Raphaela Richter capture fourth place while Canyon CLLCTV’s Dimitri Tordo did the same in Elite Men. The current champ, Jesse Melamed (Canyon CLLCTV), blazed down the course to his first win of the 2023 season. Maxxis athlete Rhys Verner (Forbidden Synthesis) was right behind Jesse in second place after a fantastic day out racing in Italy.

Another exciting round of EDR racing has come and gone, and we cannot wait to continue the rest of the 2023 season, with Leogang quickly approaching on June 15.