Enduro World Series Pietra Ligure in Photos: Genuine All-Weather Mountain Biking

A downpour during stage three would see a handful of riders hit the deck at the Enduro World Series race in Italy this weekend, including Belgian favorite Martin Maes.
EWS Pietra 2020
Eddie Masters found time for a little nose bonk on this rain-soaked stone on his way to 5th place overall. Note the brace on his right wrist.

In the weeks leading up to this year’s EWS race in Pietra Ligure, Italy, the trails around Monte Carmo were blanked with a thick comforter of summer dust. Riders had their bikes and minds set on a loose powder-cloud event. The rains finally came on the eve of the big race, adding grip in some places and slip in others. A downpour during stage three would see a handful of riders hit the deck, including Belgian favorite Martin Maes.

The top-five pilots in the women’s race included e-bike pro Melanie Pugin in first position followed by Isabeau Courdurier, Morgane Charre, Estelle Charles, and Morganne Jonnier to round out the all-French podium. This is the first time Courdurier has finished off the top step in a few years, thanks in part to an ankle injury suffered in practice a few weeks back. She still managed to take the win on the first two stages, while Pugin led the final three for the overall victory.

The men’s race was a touch more diverse, consisting of athletes from Australia and New Zealand to fill out the podium alongside three Frenchmen. Adrien Dailly took the win on stages one and five to seal the overall win, followed by Florian Nicolai, Jack Moir, Dimitri Tordo, and Eddie Masters rounding out the day. Canadians Rys Verner and Jesse Melamed each won a stage, with Verner taking the Queen’s Stage title and Melamed literally sliding into the win on stage one.

EWS Pietra 2020
The trails in Pietra Ligure are fairly similar to those in Finale, with plenty of awkwardly-placed rocks for hopping.
EWS Pietra 2020
The locals were stoked to have a bike race in town.
EWS Pietra 2020
Mud-butt was the chosen look for the day.
EWS Pietra 2020
Maes runs Saint brakes and his mechanic says he hardly uses them. “They could go a whole season without being bled.”
EWS Pietra 2020
Miranda Miller pinned on stage three.
EWS Pietra 2020
Here’s a second shot of Miller with a bit more color.
EWS Pietra 2020
Pedro Burns getting loose atop stage five.
EWS Pietra 2020
Rae Morrison sprinting for a respectable 10th place overall.
EWS Pietra 2020
Courdurier looked wicked fast for someone nursing a janky ankle.
EWS Pietra 2020
EWS Pietra 2020
Noga Korem keeping the tires low and grippy.
EWS Pietra 2020
Kevin Miquel had some solid stage results to land in 6th overall.
EWS Pietra 2020
The clouds parted by the end of stage five.
EWS Pietra 2020
Julie Duvert had a solid ride, finishing in 8th place at just under two-minutes off the lead.
EWS Pietra 2020
This rider needs a few more sponsors on the kit.
EWS Pietra 2020
A few bikes were equipped with STFU dampers to silence the descents.
EWS Pietra 2020
Charles Murray with both eyes pealed.
EWS Pietra 2020
Miranda Miller moves toward one of the many slimy ruts on stage four.
EWS Pietra 2020
EWS Pietra 2020
Morgane Charre with the French national stripes.
EWS Pietra 2020
Youn Deniaud was pushing hard all day, and will likely be added to the French podium sometime soon.
EWS Pietra 2020
Morgane Jonnier making team Peugeot proud.
EWS Pietra 2020
Robert Williams on the hip.
EWS Pietra 2020
Fellow VTT journalist Emeric Ienzer rode to a solid 54th place. It’s no wonder we can’t keep up with him at press camps.
EWS Pietra 2020
These conditions were like home for Elliot Heap, who finished off the race in 16th of the 107 rider elite men’s field.
EWS Pietra 2020
ALN on the hunt.
EWS Pietra 2020
Miller time, with the elbows out, heals down, eyes up. This kit is ideal for photos — hint — hint.
EWS Pietra 2020
Australian Jack Moir floating over the stones to third position.
EWS Pietra 2020
Raphaela Richter flew the German stripes to 13th place overall, with a fifth place finish on stage five.
EWS Pietra 2020
It takes a load of force to puncture DH casings, and a load of glitter to fill the hole.
EWS Pietra 2020
Rocky Mountain Race Face rider Remi Gauvin flicking through the last few turns on stage five.
EWS Pietra 2020
Melamed in the power stance.
EWS Pietra 2020
That’s all until next weekend in Finale Ligure. Fingers crossed for more dust on those rocks.