Cannonball MTB Festival: Specialized All-Mountain Enduro Delivers Big Racing
Windy conditions and course changes made today’s racing hectic
Photography by Clancy Kelly
The Specialized All-Mountain Enduro returned to the Cannonball MTB Festival with a refreshed course that kept riders guessing and the racing tight. With the descent split into three stages this year, the format allowed riders to attack each section harder, reducing the all-out lung-busting efforts of previous editions and creating sharper, more tactical racing across the board.
The course mix-up proved a success, rewarding consistency and commitment rather than sheer survival. Riders could push harder knowing they had defined stage segments, and the times reflected it.
Wind Forces Course Changes
Serious wind across the mountain added another layer of unpredictability. With the main gondola forced to close, race organisers had to adjust the top stage specifically for elite riders. Despite the disruption, the racing didn’t miss a beat.
Elite Men: Gilchrist on Form
In the Elite Men’s field, Ryan Gilchrist carried momentum from a massive week at Hardline and delivered a dominant performance. Gilchrist put nearly nine seconds into second-placed Tom Locke, a significant margin in what’s traditionally tight All-Mountain racing. It was a statement ride and a clear show of form heading deeper into the week.
Elite Women: Turkovic and Evans Lead the Way
On the women’s side, Elleni Turkovic and Zana Evans laid down strong, composed runs to take the top two spots. Both riders handled the revised course and gusty conditions well.
But arguably the ride of the day came from Sabina Kosarkova. Racing a downhill bike on an All-Mountain course is no easy task, yet she powered into third place in impressive fashion. It’s the kind of performance that turns heads, and she could well be one to watch as the Cannonball MTB Festival rolls on.
More Action to Come at Cannonball
The Cannonball MTB Festival doesn’t slow down. Tomorrow brings the Fox Flow Motion Cup and Maxxis Dual Slalom, two crowd favourites that add a different flavour to the week’s racing.
There’s also chatter of a potential shralp-off, reportedly orchestrated by Ed Masters and Jack Moir. With a few riders throwing in $1000 cash for the best shralp, it could be one of the most entertaining side events of the festival.
With the All-Mountain Enduro setting the tone, Cannonball MTB Festival is well and truly underway, and if today’s racing is anything to go by, the week ahead promises plenty more action.
