Norco Factory Racing 2016 World Tour - Episode 4
Episode 4 covers the Norco Factory Racing team through their time in-between races, Lenzerheide World Cup and La Thuile EWS. Also Harry as he goes on some adventures, learning to skateboard in Chamonix, climbing up to Bossons Glacier and hitting the Mendrisio pump track.
The team after a brief break head to Lenzerheide for the fifth round of the UCI DH World Cup. The track is quite a lot of bike park with one really tricky woods section, taking out a lot of riders! It was hard to put in a solid run as the fine layer of dust was causing everyone on the hill to come down feeling a little sloppy. With Sam feeling physically strong but struggling with that confidence to 'let it go' and really pull out a banger time, he rolls into 47th position. Fraser McGlone stepped up 13 positions from his qualifier to his final, steps in the right direction with the wee Scotsman still eager for that big finish. Harry is still riding at 80% strength, recovering from an AC separation earlier in the year. Although even with that he pushed through to have a strong practise session and also finishes up with the team's best result at Lenzerheide of 37th position. Feeling glad to get away from the weekend with no further injuries to any team members, they are ready and firing to Mont Saint Anne in a few weeks.
As the rest of the team head home, Sam then heads off for the Enduro World Series round in La Thuile. After a very strong finish in Argentina landing Sam on the podium, he was looking for that kind of glory again. With long, steep stages it certainly was Sam's kind of tracks, the sun was shining and all pistons were firing. After a mistake in stage 1, stopping before the finish line Sam lost quite a bit of time, causing a few expletives and a 19th position finish, it could have so easily been a top 10. Stage 2 Sam came down in 14th just 10 seconds back from top the top three over a seven and a half minute stage. Stage 3 was another 14th place, 4 21st. Then the trails got really steep and into Sam's favour, with him finishing 9th on stage 5. Stage 6 however got the better of Sam, with him having an over the bars crash setting him back on times but still finishing in an impressive 21st position leaving him 15th overall. What an exciting weekend of racing, floorless trails and hospitality, we just can't wait to go and hit Whistler now!
