Hundredths decide: Łukasik takes overall victory in the very last second
Sławomir Łukasik (Yeti/Fox Factory) not only won the race in La Thuile - the legendary enduro venue in the Aosta Valley - but also secured the overall elite title of the UCI Enduro World Cup Series ahead of time. And with just Five hundredths of a second ahead!
The Pole fought a tough duel with Charles Murray (Specialised Gravity), which was only decided in the final section under floodlights. Murray led by a wafer-thin margin before the final stage - but Łukasik held his nerve, attacked and secured the title. "I still can't believe it," said the newly crowned overall winner jubilantly.
German hope out of action
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Kuchyňková's premiere - Conolly nevertheless becomes overall winner
The women's race was at least as dramatic. Simona Kuchyňková (Cube Action Team) crashed in the final nightfall run - and still managed to cross the finish line as the overall winner of the race. Her rival Ella Conolly (Cannondale) could have added another exclamation mark with a stage win, but "only" finished in second place.
The highlight: Conolly thus secured the overall victory of the season - a terrific success for the young Brit, who had already dominated the race in Val di Fassa. While Kuchyňková celebrated her first World Cup gold, Conolly said: "It was my goal to win overall - and I'm super happy!"
Return of the classics: La Thuile shows its teeth
After a four-year break, La Thuile returned as a venue - and how! On 46.77 kilometres, with over 2,700 metres of downhill, the alpine backdrop had everything that enduro racers love - and fear.
- Stage 1: Kappa Trail - 3.4 km, technical and high alpine
- Stage 2: Col Croce - 3.9 km, fast and challenging
- Stage 3: Chaz Dura Express - 5.9 km of pure nature trail
- Stage 4: Nightfall - 600 metres with floodlights and maximum voltage
The night stage in particular gave us goosebumps. Only 600 metres long, but with a 151 metre drop and glistening floodlights, it was a real highlight - in the truest sense of the word.
Max Fuchs
Editor
