Canada wins three medals at inaugural Trophy of Nations

Canada’s best enduro racers were competing for the first ever UCI championship medals in enduro on the weekend in Finale Ligure. The Canucks walked away from the unique, team-based Trophy of Nations event with and incredible three medals.

In elite men, elite women and under-21 men, the Canadian three-rider teams came away from Italy with bronze medals.

The Trophy of Nations marked the first championship enduro event since the Enduro World Series partnered with the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) at the end of 2018.

For the sports first crack at awarding rainbow jerseys and UCI medals, the EWS chose to go an interesting and innovative rout. Instead of rewarding individual accomplishment, the Trophy of Nations used a new, team-based format that put a focus on riders home nations.

Teams of three riders from countries around the world raced in Finale Ligure, Italy on Sunday. They were competing for the first ever world championships jersey to be given out in enduro.

Canada did fantastically, taking home three bronze medals in the unique, and entertaining race format.

View this post on Instagram

First @world_enduro UCI podium. Figured we should keep it formal. @mirandamillermtb @jennmchugh44 Photo @maddogboris

A post shared by Andréane Lanthier Nadeau | ALN (@andreaneln) on Oct 1, 2019 at 1:38am PDT

Canada’s triple bronze at 2019 Trophy of Nations EWS

In the elite men’s race, Jesse Melamed, Remi Gauvin and Rhys Verner, three Sea-to-Sky shredders, rode to bronze. Team USA led the standings with its team of Richie Rude, Shawn Neer and Cody Kelley. Team Sweeden placed second.

In the elite women’s Trophy of Nations, Canada was third again. Miranda Miller, Andréane Lanthier Nadeau and Canadian enduro national champion Jennifer McHugh rode consistently to earn their bronze medal. Frace’s combo of EWS champion Isabeau Courdurier, Morgane Charre and Melanie Pugin rode away with the gold, with Team GBR in second.

View this post on Instagram

Still buzzing from this! So cool to have raced for Canada with the boys @evan_wall @kasper_woolley and to end up 3rd was cherry on top!! Also a big shout out to the rest of team Canada who took 3rd in both elite men and women???? . . Photo @flow_festival / @kabelleira . . . #momdadted #norcocanadianenduroteam #adventurebeginshere #ltpsports #smithoptics #pursueyourthrill #bikesilverstar #questleap #questuniversitycanada #olympiacycleandski #bannistergmvernon #bgmlifestyle

A post shared by Jacob Tooke (@jacob_tooke) on Sep 30, 2019 at 10:01pm PDT

Finally, in the under-21 man’s race, Kasper Woolley, Jacob Tooke and Evan Wall were, once again, third. Team New Zealand won, beating out Team Italy in second and Canada in third.

Despite Lucy Schick winning the overall points race in under-21 women’s Enduro World Series, Canada didn’t field a u21 women’s team in the Trophy of Nations. Team GBR won that event.

What are the takeaways from the first ever Trophy of Nations? One, Canada is killing it on the enduro scene. Two, team enduro racing looks incredibly fun!

Watch Jesse Melamed’s Trophy of Nations race run below: