Super Enduro #5 Race Report & Results

PRO 5 - SAUZE D’OULX - JEROME CLEMENTZ AND THE ENGLISH DOMINATE THE VIBRAM ROUND ONE ENDURO OF NATIONS

Sauze d’Oulx (TO) – July, 30 2012

The Vibram Enduro of Nations Round One ended with victory for Jerome Clementz Cannondale/SRAM) in the Superenduro Powered by SRAM race. Clementz came into Sunday with a commanding lead from Saturday’s six special stages, having won four of them.

Behind him the battle was still tough though. Nicolas Vouilloz (Lapierre - UC Monaco) was sitting in third overnight, but pushed Nicolas Lau (Cube) back into second place during Sunday’s racing. This meant an all-French podium again, although none of the riders were on the national team! Dan Atherton (Atherton Team GT) put in strong performances to hold fourth position and the young Belgian, Martin Maes (Yeti), rounded out the top five. Al Stock (Team Kona Bike o’Clock Brooks) was sixth, followed by Nicolas Quere (Commencal), Davide Sottocornola (Ibis Cicobikes Team Endura), Joe Barnes (Orange) and Manuel Ducci (Ibis Life Cycle).Among the women’s race was a tough fight between Anka Martin and Morgan Such for the top position of the podium. The two riders have exchanged positions several times during the special and the victory went to Anka for a few seconds on the last special, Supersauze.

The biggest shock of the weekend was that the English team of Dan Atherton, Al Stock and Joe Barnes took the team victory. The French team - Remy Absalom, Florian Nicolai and Nicolas Quere - missed a checkpoint on Saturday and the time penalties cost them dearly, but fought off the Italian team of Davide Sottocornola, Alex Lupato and Andrea Bruno for the second place spot.

In the women’s competition it was business as usual for the French and their team of Hanna Israel, Isabeau Courdurier and Morgane Jonnier came out on top. The Italian team of Chiara Pastore, Marianna Uttini and Valentina Macheda took second ahead of the Finish ladies. In the junior competition France were first, then Belgium and Italy. All is still to fight for though as the Enduro of Nations competition continues at Valoire August 5.

A mass-start Supermountain race closed out these two incredible days of racing. Dan Atherton was the first to reach the Miramonti Piazza from the start line in the mountains high above. He was 8.7 seconds ahead of Florian Nicolai and 22.5 up on Martin Maes. In the second race for the top 100 riders who weren’t in the national competition, Manuel Ducci emerged victorious.For its second year hosting the Enduro of Nations competition, Sauze D’Oulx and the Alpi Bike Resort have welcomed Superenduro with open arms. It has once again proved itself to be one of the best locations in Europe for mountain bike holidays with all of the family.

The national competition is far from over. In Valloire next week the winners will be decided and the French have to be strong favourites on their home turf. Superenduro Powered by SRAM now takes a break, but will return 9 September with a Sprint race at Monte Tolfa in the mountains near Rome. Supermountain will be back soon after with two exciting races in Pila (September 15) and Scopello (September 30).

Click here for official results