'24 EDR.1
Finale Ligure
EDR.1 Finale Ligure
One of the most iconic stops on the Enduro circuit, known to make or break athletes. The steep, technical terrain combined with brutal heat, and punishing transfers quickly separated the underprepared, favoring the incredibly fit riders who had put in the hours during the off-season.
Enduro - What was to be five stages, down to four after Stage Four was cancelled. The key to Finale was fitness and stamina, and according to performance coach Jared Graves, our riders were fit and ready. Richie Rude won Stage One, setting the tone for the day. Rude leading through Stage Two.
“Last year I started out in 8th, and starting the day with a stage win was the confidence I needed to know I can do well on these tracks. Trusting my pace prepared me for the day knowing I was pushing hard enough.”Richie Rude
A win on Stage Three was enough for Sławomir Łukasik to take the overall lead by just over a tenth of a second, leaving it up to the final stage to determine who would take the win at Finale. First to drop was Łukasik, and it was clear early on that his win would slip away with a flat early in his run. Fortunately, with his CushCore insert he was able to save the run and finish the day in 5th.
Rude went on to win Stage Five, a four-and-a-half-minute stage, by almost 7 seconds, solidifying his lead and the win.
“Every year when you start, you never really know where you are with your training compared to everyone else. I’m pretty stoked to get the first win out of the way, and I can start the season a little more relaxed, and everyone else will have to push more and more.”Richie Rude
It is clear that U21 rider, JT Fisher, has been putting in the work, debuting 2024 in second place, hungry for the win as the season progresses. Teammate Lacey Adams finished in the top-five for her very first World Cup, proving that she is one to watch.
In the Elite Women’s field, George Swift and Kate Lawrence brought it home in 15th and 19th place respectively.
E-Enduro: Nine beastly stages, totaling just under an hour on track. Ryan Gilchrist started the day off strong, finishing third on the first two stages, then kicked it into gear, winning the following two stages and four stages total. Teammate, Mick Hannah started the day off feeling strong, but a flat on Stage Three would put him out of contention for a podium finish, coming in 29th on the day.
By Stage Eight, Gilly had a 30 second lead on the pack and rode the final stage safe and smooth, guaranteeing himself the win, and his very first E-EDR podium.
“A very special day in Italy. My first ever World Cup win and Yeti/Shimano’s first ever E-EDR victory! My race didn’t start any differently from any other Enduro I’ve raced. I kept a good pace and high intensity through the stages in the first loop with a strong focus on nutrition and being efficient on the liaisons and in the stages. It wasn’t until Stage Three that I opened a substantial lead on the physically demanding and pedally stage. From that point, I had a lot of confidence in my riding and rode very strongly through the power stages and all the way to the end of the day securing the win. This is a long time coming. I want to thank the team for their sensational hard work and dedication. Their belief in me as an athlete has allowed me to perform to my full potential and I look forward to continuing our exciting work with Yeti, Shimano and all our wonderful sponsors. Shimano Ichiban!” –Ryan Gilchrist
Bonus Gallery
