Home > MTB

Stoked in B.C.: North American EWS Continental Series weekend in Revelstoke

Enduro World Series continental event calendar makes its only Canadian stop

NCES Revelstoke 2019

The only Canadian stop on the Enduro World Series’ (EWS) North American Continental Series climbed high into the mountains above Revelstoke, B.C. over the weekend.And then, of course, got real stoked on racing back down.

Norco Canadian Enduro Series was on hosting duties for the second EWS North America stop, bringing racers back to a favourite NCES race location from previous years. The two-day event started at Revelstoke Mountain Resort with a blind stage down Crowbar, an old school technical trail leading from RMR down to the valley below. While the single stage made for a shorter day, racers did have to contend with the hardest turn in Revelstoke before they could enjoy their post-stage beer for the day.

NCES Revelstoke EWS North America
Race winner Max Leyen making his way around the infamous Crowbar corner. Image: Steve Shannon

For Day 2 of racing, proceedings headed across town to the Frisby and Boulder networks. If Day 1 seemed short, Day 2 was anything but. Over 2,000m of elevation gain carried riders up to some of the best, and steepest descending in Revelstoke.

NCES Revelstoke EWS North America
U21 winner Evan Wall cornering back towards the town of Revelstoke on Boulder Mountain. Image: Lindsay Donovan

Starting just below Revelstoke’s alpine dream line, Frisby Ridge, racers dropped in on Frisby DH. This led to a climb up to the steep, technical trails of Boulder Mountain. Conditions were dry and loose as 256 racers took on the challenge of the North American EWS Continental race.

RELATED: Bigger and better for 2019: Norco Canadian Enduro Series launches race calendar

NCES Revelstoke EWS North America
Climbing wasn’t easy, but Revelstoke descents are worth it. Image: Lindsay Donovan
NCES Trail Love

As with every round of the NCES, a portion of the events registration fees were donated back to the Revelstoke Cycling Association. The funds help offset the impact the race has on trails, especially in dry conditions. It also serves as a thank you from racers for the countless hours of work that go into creating and maintaining such extensive trail networks. The NCES Revelstoke stop got a bit of extra Trail Love, as each racer had to be a member of the RCA to participate.

NCES Revelstoke EWS North America
Under 21 winner Isabella Naughton. Image: Lindsay Donovan
NCES / North America EWS Results: Revelstoke, B.C.

In the Pro races, Chilliwack, B.C.’s Max Leyen took the win on the men’s side and and Jennifer McHugh of Fernie, B.C. on the women’s. Behind Leyen where Squamish’s Rhys Verner and American Carson Eiswald. American Claire Hamilton was rewarded for her trip north with a second in the Pro Women’s race, with Kaite Spittlehouse following in third.

NCES Revelstoke EWS
Under 21 winner Evan Wall descends a wall-like steep in Revelstoke. Image: Lindsay Donovan

In the under 21 races, Evan Wall and American Isabella Naughton were the fastest young riders. Jacob Tooke and Milton McConnville rounded out the under 21 men’s podium. Julia Long and Emmy Lan followed behind Naughton.

RELATED: Norco Canadian Enduro Series’ Ted Morton talks aiming high and developing Canadian talent

NCES Revelstoke EWS
Jack Menzies was sixth in the under 21 men’s race. Image: Lindsay Donovan

Norco Canadian Enduro Series heads east to Ontario for the next round. Sea Otter Canada hosts the Blue Mountain NCES on July 7, 2019. The Blue Mountain NCES round is the only EWS Qualifier round in Eastern Canada in 2019.

NCES Revelstoke
Celebrating the end of a big day at the base of Boulder Mountain. Image: Steve Shannon

North American EWS Continental Series wraps up with the third and final stop in California. The series finale will be part of the Fox US Open of Mountain Biking in Big Bear Lake, Cali. on September 14, 2019.