The Winter Park Colorado race has some very big differences from previous EWS races. First of all the staging in a bike park instead of on a natural alpine track as was the case in Europe and then the altitude. In the morning the climatic conditions were rather warm and humid with thunderstorms in the course of the afternoon.
The race format also differed slightly, with the event being held over three days instead of two. With daily exploration and competition. This meant we were either racing, exploring or in bed all weekend!
Day 1
Evaluation test 1
A really long special stage, with jumps and very strenuous sections. I always approach the first special stage of the weekend with some anxiety. But the stress disappears once the competition begins. Due to knee pain, I preferred to shorten the warm-up period. From the start of my run, I realized I wasn't really in good shape. When I got to the first climb, I knew I wasn't at my usual level. The jumps were nice, but I didn't find my rhythm and ended up 11th.
Evaluation test 2
Less pedaling and more DH bike park with a section in the Rock Garden. A short but fun special stage. Locals knew it well as it was one of the main bike park trails. I felt a lot better and was able to keep a good flow the whole distance to finally finish 5th.
I spent the rest of the day exploring the 3rd special stage. A long day in the saddle. An essential piece of equipment to get the most out of exploring: the bike camera. Mine is mounted on a detachable bracket mounted centrally on the parachute. Incidentally, the Parachute is the lightest full-face helmet in the world. A gem!
Day 2
The start was at 8am and started from the paddock with a transfer leg to be ridden which took us up a decent climb to explore stages 3 and 4 before resuming the competition with stage 5.
Evaluation test 3
It was a natural track that was very technical at the top. After that came sections where it was important to maintain a good speed while going through the rocks and finally the end with full throttle over a forest track. No mistakes and a good feeling. I turned 4
Evaluation test 4
The shortest special of the weekend, just over 1'25'' race time but with many traps with trees just waiting to get caught on the handlebars and tight corners where it was difficult to maintain a good speed. I didn't manage to find the right pace and was happy when I saw the finish line. 18th, that hurts!
Evaluation test 5
A long and more technical version of the 4th in the middle of a forest. Most of the trees had been felled and trunks were lying all over the place. While sprinting to the start, my rear wheel caught on something and I nearly fell. I just avoided a fall. That almost went haywire. The rest of my run was very mediocre and I ended up in 13th place.
I was disappointed with my day but it was time for the cable car again to explore stages 6 and 7 the following day. I had a lot of work ahead of me to keep hope of catching up some time.
Day 3
The day began with special stage 6, the most strenuous of the weekend. There were really long, flat sections in the forest, where there was always the danger of getting caught with the handlebars at the slightest carelessness, especially with increasing tiredness. Shortly before the final descent on a forest path, a part of the route with a lot of pedaling caused a lot of physical exhaustion.
Unfortunately, we came to an accident site during this run. One rider was injured, but on such a fast section it was unthinkable to stop without warning. The other drivers were later stopped in front of the scene of the accident.
In the paddock it was discussed whether everyone should do the special stage again or only those who were stopped. My legs were too weak to do it again, but for fair play reasons I decided to do it again like all the other riders who weren't stopped either.
As I expected, I lacked the strength. Without any warning, my front wheel slipped and I found myself on the ground. That was just what I was missing. I should actually make up time, not lose it! I turned 10. I was fed up!
Last special stage
The special stage with DH of the weekend. I was determined to throw everything into the balance. I put on new tires, my equipment was great and I was in good spirits again! When I started the special stage, I immediately had the feeling that “it couldn't get any better”. You're always looking for that feeling, but unfortunately you rarely find it! Verdict: Third, a good way to finish the race!
Another difficult weekend! Ups and downs and finally a 5th place that allows me to remain 3rd in the season standings. Regularity is really the key to staying at the top end of the scale. Well, that's the theory. But then comes the practice!
Now there are two days of testing with Trek and Fox and then it's on to Whistler in two weeks.
Photos: Jeremie Reuiller