Records on all fronts for the grand finale of the Superenduro powered by SRAM
More than five hundred riders came to Finale Ligure for a party this weekend, the last Superenduro powered by SRAM race of 2012.
An epic race saw Dan Atherton (Atherton GT) stand on the top step of a Superenduro podium for the first time.
Atherton dominated the race, winning all five of the special stages. Among the women, the 16-times World Champion Anne-Caroline Chausson was supreme, winning by more than three minutes in a ride that placed her 45 in the men’s competition.
Throughout the weekend the atmosphere was like a world championship, with riders coming from every corner of the planet to come and race enduro. Everything was arranged to perfection by Riccardo Negro and his staff and riders faced a six-hour, 50km test. It offered a challenged for even the strongest riders and as times get closer and closer among the top riders there was no room for errors.
It wasn’t just a race win on the table, the series titles would be decided this weekend. Davide Sottocornola (Cicobikes Endura) more or less had the title sewn up coming into the weekend, a strong ride to take second confirmed his victory. In the women’s racing a third place on the day gave Maria Federica Zanotto (Trek Scavesson) the title.
With a strong presence from the international media here this weekend, it marks the international breakthrough for Superenduro. This is the end of the line for the 2012, but it is also the starting point for next year’s racing. The paddock was filled with rumours, strategies for next year and secret new technology and the anticipation for 2013 is already beginning.
Just a second behind Davide Sottocornola was the American enduro champion, Curtis Keene (Team Specialized). That meant a truly international men’s podium, with England, Italy and the USA represented on it.
In fourth spot was Vittorio Gambirasio (Team 360 GT), followed by Manuel Ducci (Ibis Life Cycle) who was hampered by technical problems. Flying the French flag was Theo Galy (Team Orange) in sixth. Seventh and eighth were a family affair, filled by Alex and Denny Lupato (Lapierre FRM). SRAM’s PR manager, Tyler Morland put in a stunning ride to grab ninth spot and Max Schumann (Carver) closed out the top ten.
The two riders who were notably absent from the top ten were Nico Vouilloz (Lapierre), who retired after stage four with a stomach complaint, and Andrea Bruno (Transition Ready2Ride), whose run of bad luck continued when he destroyed his saddle on stage one.
In the women’s race, behind Chausson was the under-23 XC World Champion, Tanja Zakelj (Orbea Salacano Factory Team) and Zanotto took third.
Dan Atherton: “This victory was the result of a year of hard work, I’m very happy with today’s performance and my first victory in the circuit. Enduro is booming and I think the future of the discipline is in the hands of Superenduro. ”
David Sottocornola: “It ‘s been a great end to the season for me, I really wanted to do well in Finale, I am very satisfied with my day. After so much sacrifice, workouts after work, this was my reward!”
Keene Curtis: “It ‘s been a great day, a wonderful experience, I hope to return next year. Compared to the United States, the trails are more technical, it takes the right components, especially the tires. Even the transfers are tough, you have to have prepared well.”
2012 has been a season to remember for Superenduro powered by SRAM!
