Foreboding weather and the Pope of Enduro educating the masses during rider briefing. The rider-favorite Stage 1 was canceled for tomorrow due to flooding at the finish. -Duncan Philpott
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Chris Johnston smashing Stage 4 which is loose rough and rowdy. Perhaps it could have used a bit of maintenance instead of chicanes to slow the riders down on the way to the Med in Noli. Either way it will be a slippery ride tomorrow. -Sven Martin
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Jerome, the the dark horse in the title race, before he built up his new black and red steed. -Sven Martin
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After testing the terrain today post-rain, there were a few tire choice and wheel setup changes to make for Jerome. -Duncan Philpott
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Pierre-Charles George squeezes in the EWS rounds when it doesn't conflict with World Cup Downhill. 22nd last weekend with a 6th place in one stage, he is figuring out the Enduro side of things just fine. Unfortunately Stage 1 here has been canceled due to a river flooding the finish line. Second time in a week. -Sven Martin
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Valentina Marcheda looked right at home (because she almost is) on the steep Stage 1. Such a shame one of the better stages had to be cut because of safety concerns. -Sven Martin
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Joe Barnes focusses on the sweet castle below. A fitting winter home for the king of the Scots. -Sven Martin
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Florian Nicolai knows a thing or two about awkward corners. They are nothing to him, mere child's play for a master bike handler like him. -Sven Martin
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James Stock is still relatively new to the enduro game but already making strong inroads. The Brit numbers run deep in enduro just as in DH. -Sven Martin
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There's a lot more to do in Finale than just practice on the tracks. When it's canceled, Anka and Sarah from Juliana/SRAM went cruising for some shoes and handbags. -Sven Martin
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Knowing where you are going is essential to bagging such tight lines. Jamie Nicoll in audio. -Duncan Philpott
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Anneke Beerten shows us just how windy it was today. An hour later there were head high waves pounding through. -Sven Martin
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The wind and low pressure cell did bring in the joy for some. A rare sight here in the Mediterranean, but welcomed none the less. Cunny gives his best WSL commentary. #wheresthebarrelsven? -Sven Martin
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There was disappointment to hear that Stage 1 was unfortunately canceled. The Northen England contingent were dismayed to lose out on the steep tech. -Duncan Philpott
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Yoann Barelli keeping a positive mental attitude on the cancellation of Stage 1. If you have trained as hard as these guys, you will tackle anything thrown at you. -Sven Martin
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Outside assistance is strongly frowned upon in the EWS, even if it is while feeding the pigeons. Iago and Sam Flan fatten up the flying disease bags for some pie later in the week. -Sven Martin
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New Kestrel laces getting handed out to a few of the pros here in Finale. Luke Hontz delivers a few pairs to the Swiss twins racing duo Anita and Caro Gehrig. -Sven Martin
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The trails corkscrew and twist...some of the natural flow is what makes the riding here in Finale so good. -Duncan Philpott
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This is Coco (Corantin Macinot) who's benefiting from the wise words and tips of Jerome Clementz this season. -Duncan Philpott
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Adam Craig getting into the spirit. -Sven Martin
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The view between gasping for breath from the middle of Stage 2 tomorrow looking west from Finale over Borgio Verezzi. Josh Carlson in audio. -Sven Martin
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The Enduro Pope, Enrico Guala, dropping into Stage 3 that finishes in the ancient Borgio of Noli. -Sven Martin
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Kiwi-Born, Whistler and Swedish transplant, Steve Murphy, avoids the wasp nest on Stage 3 by carving around the old ruin of Sam Michele church, 300 meters above the sea. -Sven Martin
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Nomads getting lost on their Bronsons up on Stage 4. -Sven Martin
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Damien Oton helps with the set up and tear down today in between rain and wind squalls. -Sven Martin
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Marco the super team mate scores some more points today. While everyone sat in coffee shops and bars he tested out the trail conditions on one of the many other open trails here on offer in Finale. Then washes off Jerome's bike for a few free lines. -Sven Martin
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Jerome's new bike and matching kit. #forwhomethebelltolls. -Sven Martin
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Team CRC's Nigel Page looking forward to a big day on the pedals tomorrow. -Sven Martin
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Johnston and Dougie Fresh spending their time wisely. -Sven Martin
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It's awesome to see FOX and SRAM coming together to put together a complete competitive build for XC racer Annie Last, who's yearning for some technical riding and is giving the enduros a try. -Duncan Philpott
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When Friday practice was canceled, there was a core dedicated few racers who opted to practice Special Stage 7. -Duncan Philpott
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If you want to know what goes on the hill with us, then here's an exploded view! First aid kit came in handy in Ainsa! Bag cover added for Finale -Duncan Philpott
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Ludo May may well be getting this wild in the wet tomorrow, but there won't be any of this dust around. -Duncan Philpott
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Muted practice tones in the still-dusty terrain. The view from Stage 4 would have been wildly different today. -Duncan Philpott
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The original little, yellow Italian scooter of Joe Barnes has been all over Europe and has a mud guard stitched like the shin of a 16-year-old flat pedal racer. -Duncan Philpott
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It's a shame this stage won't be raced tomorrow due to medical access routes being flooded. Mark Scott riding the powdery loose corner. -Duncan Philpott
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Fabien shredding some of the legit downhill that the riders get to race this round on Stage 5. -Duncan Philpott
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A little venture into enduro for Hardline hucker and geographically-challenged VanZac, Craig Evans. -Duncan Philpott
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Mark Maurissen in search of better weather. That way? -Duncan Philpott
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Media recce at the EWS is always the highlight of the week for us for many reasons. It's blind riding down new trails with hidden surprises around every corner like this one after Stage 6. Cold beers and local sausage at the Ciapin Mountain Bike Lodge #prayfordunc living the hard life. -Sven Martin
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Gold cassettes have been kicking around a little while since World Champs and Sven's always been keen to get into the action. Tim Flooks whipped up a one-off special for Silverback. -Duncan Philpott
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Marco Osborne just getting lower and rowdier than anyone else. -Duncan Philpott
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Slidey Seager, otherwise known as Styley Seager on occasion. -Duncan Philpott
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Today may not have been the tornado and doomsday weather that was predicted, but it did get messy out there. Stay tuned for race day coverage starting tomorrow! -Sven Martin
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Description
The normally sunny and dry beach-side paradise of Finale Ligure, Italy has been plagued by torrential weather. The last stop of the 2015 Enduro World Series has seen the impact of the weather with the cancellation of the rider-favorite Stage 1 and an official lay day for the riders, not being allowed to practice any race stages. That meant there was plenty of time for other activities (or even riding on non-race trails. Sven and Duncan report from the eye of the storm.
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