The 2014 Enduro World Series continued the European segment of its progress with Round 4 moving over to Italy.
La Thuile, which lies just over the border with France, is a town that until last weekend had been relatively unknown as an MTB destination. With summer access for mountain bikers only starting two years ago, it is less popular than Les Arcs and Bourg St Maurice, its better known neighbours. That looks set to change.
The riding there is less bike-park, more lift-accessed mountain trails, and the rooty, rocky, natural terrain coupled with crazy weather conditions made for an exciting weekend of racing. Snow on the top, hot in the valley, and plenty of action in between.
Tracy Moseley, the current Enduro World Series Champion, engaged in a close battle of skills and endurance with Anne Caroline Chausson and Cecile Ravenel over the 6 timed stages.
Moseley started day one off strongly with a win on stage one, but then seemed to tail off with 3rd place positions for stages two and three. The second stage went to Ravenel, who is currently placed 4th in the overall series rankings, and stage 3 went to Chausson.
The fight between Moseley and Chausson intensified on day two. Chausson took the first win of the series in Chile, and although Moseley took first place at Innerleithen and Valloire, with half the season yet to go there is everything still to play for.
Moseley took stage 4, Chausson stage 5, and Moseley stage 6 giving Tracy Moseley the overall win at La Thuile, and also means she maintains her series leader position.
Other notable riders include Anneke Beerten, who took 4th place overall and maintains her position as 3rd in the overall standings. British rider Katy Winton narrowly missed out on a top ten spot, placing 11th with just under 10seconds behind Moseley.
Emily Horridge, riding for Transition Bicycles, placed 16th. Anka Martin (Juliana Bicycles) came in 17th and Hannah Barnes (Silverfish) 22nd.
Next stop sees the series head across the Atlantic to the Colorado Freeride Festival on the 25th to the 27th of July.
Check out the full results at the Enduro World Series Results Page.
Catch up on all the action from both days of racing with DirtTV.
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