<b>Whistlaaa! Welcome back for Round 6 of the Enduro World Series. Racers arrived just in time for some much needed rain and superb trail conditions.</b> -AJ Barlas
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<b>Ready for this? The start may look tame with Chris Ball just hanging out, but the Stage 1 trail "Hey Bud" dishes up some serious steeps for breakfast.</b> -Photo: Sean St. Denis
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<b>Josh Carlson is frothing more than usual. Today was a good one.</b> -Photo: Sean St. Denis
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<b>Graves is looking to 3-peat this year with another Whistler win. Only time will tell if he is back where he wants to be, but he's pinned. Carlson continues in the audio.</b> -AJ Barlas
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<b>Seb Kemp had lots of influence on what trails are being raced, and has been instrumental in pushing the event's boundaries. He also kills it on a bike.</b> -AJ Barlas
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<b>Top of the World won't be included in the last stage this year, but will be in Stage 2. Martin Maes is blisteringly quick and incredibly smooth through this unforgiving terrain. It's only a matter of time before he takes a W.</b> -AJ Barlas
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<b>Racers get briefed on the weekend ahead. Chris Ball is excited. "I think this could well be the best course Crankworx has ever run."</b> -Photo: Sean St. Denis
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<b>Whistler's terrain presents a stark contrast to the stages in Crested Butte.</b> -Photo: Sean St. Denis
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<b>Where did Cody "Joey Bing Bing" Kelley go?</b> -Brandon Turman
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<b>There he is! Fresh 2016 Marin bike colors for the up and comer. It's Cody's first EWS. We reckon he'll be much easier to spot as he blazes across the finish line come race day.</b> -Brandon Turman
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<b>Tom Maes of Yeti Belgium sliding down the most slippery rock on the mountain. Will the weather make it better or worse? Kelley speculates.</b> -AJ Barlas
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<b>Anneke Beerten sits 3rd in the overall series and will be aiming for a good finish. We imagine most riders will be pushing harder this year, which could make for tighter racing.</b> -Photo: Sean St. Denis
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<b>Friday's practice set the record for the longest lineup at Peak chair ever seen in the summer. Indistinct lift line chatter in the audio to make you feel like you're here.</b> -AJ Barlas
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<b>The Pope of Enduro, Enrico Guala, sets foot at the top of Whistler for the first time. He's as excited to be in Whistler as a frothing grom. <br />
</b> -AJ Barlas
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<b>Top of the World.</b> -Photo: Matt Wragg/EWS
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<b>All eyes are on Justin Leov, the Men's current series leader, as the end of the season approaches.</b> -Photo: Matt Wragg/EWS
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<b>No lineup on this side of the mountain. Greg Callaghan shifts his focus to the rock and chunder of upper Top of the World, something the happy Irishman would rather be doing.</b> -AJ Barlas
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<b>Tracy Moseley weaving her way through the rock. The current series leader is looking to put the bad start last weekend behind her and could 3-peat with a win this weekend.</b> -AJ Barlas
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<b>Dylan Wolsky of The Nomads is no stranger to these trails, which only adds pressure to do well.</b> -Photo: Matt Wragg/EWS
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<b>Bryan Regnier pushing to stay on line as the new Dusty's DH begins to wear in. Stage 4 is a bit bi-polar, starting with this wide open run only to finish in the tight, raw single track of Boyd's. Wolsky continues.</b> -AJ Barlas
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<b>The 'locals' swarm over the entries to the Whistler EWS boosting the field's competitiveness. Max Horner, a born and bred resident, gets amongst it.</b> -AJ Barlas
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<b>Jerome Clementz, here with an uncharacteristically big number, is another rider looking to get back on form.</b> -AJ Barlas
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<b>Joe Barnes causing a ruckus on the first corner of Stage 4.</b> -AJ Barlas
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<b>Remi Gauvin, off his prototype Rocky Mountain Maiden (just released) and on the trail bike. Remi spends enough time in Whistler that his knowledge of the network and his speed make him a threat.</b> -AJ Barlas
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<b>Wolsky decided to rub elbows with the Fat Tire Crit crowd after a long day of Enduro practice. #stylepoints</b> -Brandon Turman
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<b>Not your typical enduro race scene, but lessons to be learned about conserving energy. While "Crankzilla" may have been tamed in some ways, it's still a huge day.</b> -Brandon Turman
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<b>That's more like it. Hero dirt. Brown pow. Whatever you call it, here's to the smiles it brings us. Stay tuned for more from the Whistler EWS!</b> -AJ Barlas
Description
As Crankworx Whistler gets underway, racers take to the mountain in search of the fast lines for round six of the Enduro World Series. With just three races to go, overall rankings are a big focus for many, and consistency will be key to rounding out the year with a bang.
Once dubbed "Crankzilla" due to the large number of miles and climbing involved, this year's race will require an entirely different strategy as many of the grueling climbs have been replaced by chairlifts, placing more emphasis on the stages themselves. Riders will face five stages during a one day final with only a single liaison being tackled on the bike. Will that change things in a big way? Will riders leave more on the race course and less on the paths between?
Listen in for practice day insights and stories from locals, newcomers, and seasoned Pros.
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