ENNORTH STARS
Courdurier and Hill on a charge for the EWS Overall amidst the dust and rocks of California.
Isabeau Courdurier continued her ‘Invincibeau’ season with another win in Northstar, Calif. Scorching temperatures and high altitude mixed with boulders and axle-deep dust produced a brutal battleground, where Courdurier stayed ultra-consistent with three stage wins and three second place finishes. Courdurier cemented her commanding lead by 20 seconds overall, confirming yet another dominant win for the French star. Courdurier leads the EWS Overall with an unbeatable 855 points as she goes into her victory lap in Zermatt, September 21.
Isabeau rode SRAM Eagle X01 AXS™, SRAM CODE brakes, RockShox Lyrik Ultimate, and RockShox Super Deluxe suspension, with a RockShox Reverb Stealth dropper post.
Sam Hill’s pure class and experience was on display in the lunar conditions as he closed in on the Series Overall, missing the win at EWS.7 by the narrowest of margins. The Australian DH and Enduro legend thrived where others struggled, taking two stage wins and two second place finishes going into the final stage. The Team Chain Reaction rider was edged out by a mere 0.8 seconds, but he leaves Northstar much closer to joining Courdurier as the 2020 EWS Overall Series winner.
Sam rode SRAM Eagle X01 AXS™, SRAM CODE brakes, RockShox Lyrik Ultimate, and RockShox Super Deluxe suspension, with a RockShox Reverb AXS™ dropper post.
King of Crankworx, Mitch Ropelato followed up his phenomenal Whistler week with his strongest EWS result to date. The Utah rider felt at home in the loose conditions, attacking every stage to round out the podium with a third place.
Mitch rode SRAM Eagle X01 AXS™, SRAM CODE brakes, RockShox Lyrik Ultimate, and RockShox Super Deluxe Coil suspension, with a RockShox Reverb AXS™ dropper post.
While the EWS riders have to wait nearly four weeks for the season decider, SRAM and RockShox DH and XCO athletes are already gathering at Mont-Sainte-Anne for the World Championships next weekend. Can Nino Schurter and Kate Courtney keep their rainbow bands and will Amaury Pierron’s amazing form take home the gold?
- Photos by Sven Martin