<b>Enduro World Series Les 2 Alpes Stage 1, first chair up (well second as I was in the first). Fabien Barel and the top riders may look chill, but this single day of course inspection is serious business and they know it.</b> -Sven Martin
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<b>Nico Vouilloz wasn’t taking it easy after his win last weekend in Val d’Allos either. First in line this morning for the lift to Stages 2 and 4.</b> -Lee Trumpore
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<b>Tracy Moseley, in deep on the top of Stage 2 talks about just how long it took to practice the four stages today.</b> -Sven Martin
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<b>(Tracy Moseley in audio). You better hope you're running a Shadow Plus derailleur on Stage 2. #realmountainbiking</b> -Sven Martin
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<b>Jared Graves is the man to beat this weekend with the number one plate. Strategy and helmet cam footage from recon today are a rider's best friend.</b> -Sven Martin
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<b>Chris Ball not afraid to show the *pro* racers how to hit a turn. Railing ruts, busting guts and keeping the Enduro World Series right on track.</b> -Sven Martin
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<b>Adam Craig blowing past the smoke cloud made by a fellow racer's brakes.</b> -Sven Martin
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<b>(Adam Craig in audio) It rained a few days ago but you’d never know it from the course conditions. Mark Scott with the dirt grenade on the top Stage 4 and brakes that are ready for a break.</b> -Lee Trumpore
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<b>James Shirley riding the manliest line thus far in the Enduro World Series. This is way gnarlier than it looks and he is the only one doing it.</b> -Sven *I Can't Build Sequences* Martin
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<b>Cedric Gracia is busting out the big wheels this weekend, giving the course his full 29-inches.</b> -Lee Trumpore
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<b>Remember Ben Cruz and his horrible crash last weekend? Well, he made it past the first turn this weekend and finished practicing all 4 stages without losing consciousness.</b> -Lee Trumpore
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<b>Same rock, different line. Liam from the Dudes of Hazard takes the man line over the boulders. My laptop wouldn’t fit in the landing zone but he doesn’t seem to mind because he's more of a desktop user.</b> -Lee Trumpore
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<b>Nico leads out fellow Frenchman and World Cup DH star, Loic Bruni (in audio), as they navigate the steep corners of Stage 4.</b> -Lee Trumpore
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<b>Jamie Nicoll from Nelson New Zealand is not afraid of snow. Cunny from Shrewbury lurking in the background is, however.</b> -Sven Martin
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<b>Filip Polc doesn’t seem the least bit phased by the lack of sketchy stair cases or castle wall rides on the L2A tracks.</b> -Lee Trumpore
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<b>Nico Lao has had a bit of a lackluster start to 2013. Will the high speed stages of L2A be the change he needs to find his form from last year?</b> -Lee Trumpore
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<b>Sam Blenkinsop looked like he was riding a DH bike today. Flat out at the top of Stage 3.</b> -Lee Trumpore
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<b>Nicolas Quere barely held it together after catching a tire one of the narrow ruts that make up much of the open slope. Keep an eye on this guy, always on the gas. #svensfavorite</b> -Lee Trumpore
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<b>Al Stock throwing shapes.</b> -Sven Martin
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<b>(Tracy Moseley in audio) Anne Caroline Chausson showing us just how tricky stage two is. Welcome back, ACC!</b> -Sven Martin
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<b>Enduro is a family affair. Dan Atherton takes the opportunity to make Gee eat his dust.</b> -Lee Trumpore
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<b>Jerome Clementz is looking for #totalstagedomination after flatting out of contention last weekend in Val d’Allos. He's stoked on the one-day format and controlled practice for everyone.</b> -Lee Trumpore
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<b>(Jon Cancellier in audio) #benderwouldgo</b> -Sven Martin
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<b>Mick Hannah, not used to 6-inch wide tracks, but he is having a blast none-the-less. World Champs training. Expect 1000%.</b> -Sven Martin
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<b>Jon Parkin packing the heavy red cam and passing Graves to leapfrog ahead to get the shot. The media bust their asses to bring us the goods, riding everything the racers do and then some!</b> -Sven Martin
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<b>Maxi Dickerhoff threads the needle without cutting the course or the spirit of enduro on Stage 1. </b> -Sven Martin
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<b>Meanwhile, Mini Slicker Hof does his beast Karate Kid impersonation while the course was closed for a heli-evacuation in the bike park.</b> -Sven Martin
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<b>Italian National Enduro Champ, Alex Lupato, is feeling right at home in the rocky, dusty conditions in France. No missing him with that blinging Marzocchi.</b> -Lee Trumpore
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<b>Victor Lucas teaches Simon Cittati how to make a real coffee. Espresso-bike-mechanic-style.</b> -Sven Martin
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<b>Rosara Joseph and Kelli Emmet on nature's rollercoaster, a far cry away from the smooth, pedally ribbons of Ashland and Bend, Oregon trails.</b> -Sven Martin
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<b>(Tracy Moseley in audio) Fabien Barel and ACC breaking trail on Stage 1 today. Race day is moments away and the exciting format of the Enduro World Series has us all guessing. Stay tuned to Vital MTB for results and coverage.</b> -Sven Martin
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Recon was the name of the game today during the Enduro World Series race at Les 2 Alpes, France. Riders had this single day to inspect the four stages that will be raced on Sunday. Some of the courses had never been touched by tires until today, minimizing any advantage for the locals. The courses are ridiculously steep, technical and natural. Not much *bike parking* going on, as riders tackle the Les 2 Alpes tracks. Stage 1 features a very stiff climb, which will be an advantage for strong climbers, but the rest of the stages run like a downhill race. Riders are upping their rotor size and thinking about braking points as best possible. Sunday is going to be exciting to say the least! Enjoy the action and insight from Sven Martin and Lee Trumpore. They're rallying the hills capturing the best shots of this dramatic MTB race format.
View replies to: ENDURO ACTION: Les 2 Alpes Recon Sessions, Enduro World Series
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