Description
The NZ Enduro concluded with 2 days of incredible, naturally raw stages in Nydia Bay and and a classic helicopter shuttle in Wakamarina.
Day 2: Nydia track, 4 Stages
After a shuttle drop off, riders set out for an unforgettable day on the bike. It doesn't feel like a race, more like a point-to-point adventure ride.
The first stage was down an old bridal track used by goldminers long ago. Vines, roots rocks, ferns and a narrow bench-cut trail. Jerome Clementz shot off track losing a lot of time to Jamie and Damien.
Stage 2 followed an hour-long liason along Duncan Bay up to Nydia Saddle. A super tech south-facing descent littered with mossy rocks roots, washouts really challenged the riders considering it was 100% blind. Few would believe that nearly 100% of the trail is ridable. Not your average race stage.
After a lunch of fresh tuna and venison burgers at On The Track Lodge, riders set off on another hour-long liason climb. The 3rd stage claimed many riders with sections no one would ever expect to see on an enduro race stage. Trials DH? Maybe. This time it was Damien Oton who went down losing time. Stage 4 was sweet and fast ending the most technical day of the race.
Day 3: Wakamarina Heli Shuttle
Perfect weather despite cyclone Pam approaching. 120 riders shuttled up to the top of Wakamarina Track by two helicopters. Stage 2 was the riders' all-time favorite race stage featuring old-growth Beech forest littered with roots and a supremely-flowy, fast trail with great ferny switchbacks mid-run. The day ended with a swim in the river and plenty of high fives and helicopter selfies. Jerome proved something by winning all the stages but Jamie took the overall as the best rider over all three days.
Some NZ Enduro Facts
- 3 days racing
- 8 stages total
- Jerome won 5 stages
- Damien Oton won 4 stages
- Joann Barelli won 2 stages
- Jamie Nicoll won 1 stage
- Timing to the second (not millisecond) with the rider-operated timing dongles.
- How do the stage wins add up if there were only 8 stages? Damien and Jerome tied 4 times. Insane!
NZ Enduro Race Recap Video
Day 2: Nydia track, 4 Stages
After a shuttle drop off, riders set out for an unforgettable day on the bike. It doesn't feel like a race, more like a point-to-point adventure ride.
The first stage was down an old bridal track used by goldminers long ago. Vines, roots rocks, ferns and a narrow bench-cut trail. Jerome Clementz shot off track losing a lot of time to Jamie and Damien.
Stage 2 followed an hour-long liason along Duncan Bay up to Nydia Saddle. A super tech south-facing descent littered with mossy rocks roots, washouts really challenged the riders considering it was 100% blind. Few would believe that nearly 100% of the trail is ridable. Not your average race stage.
After a lunch of fresh tuna and venison burgers at On The Track Lodge, riders set off on another hour-long liason climb. The 3rd stage claimed many riders with sections no one would ever expect to see on an enduro race stage. Trials DH? Maybe. This time it was Damien Oton who went down losing time. Stage 4 was sweet and fast ending the most technical day of the race.
Day 3: Wakamarina Heli Shuttle
Perfect weather despite cyclone Pam approaching. 120 riders shuttled up to the top of Wakamarina Track by two helicopters. Stage 2 was the riders' all-time favorite race stage featuring old-growth Beech forest littered with roots and a supremely-flowy, fast trail with great ferny switchbacks mid-run. The day ended with a swim in the river and plenty of high fives and helicopter selfies. Jerome proved something by winning all the stages but Jamie took the overall as the best rider over all three days.
Some NZ Enduro Facts
- 3 days racing
- 8 stages total
- Jerome won 5 stages
- Damien Oton won 4 stages
- Joann Barelli won 2 stages
- Jamie Nicoll won 1 stage
- Timing to the second (not millisecond) with the rider-operated timing dongles.
- How do the stage wins add up if there were only 8 stages? Damien and Jerome tied 4 times. Insane!
NZ Enduro Race Recap Video
View replies to: The New Zealand Enduro - Day 2 & 3, Nydia Bay and Wakamarina
Comments