UCI MTB Enduro World Cup: Matt Walker and Isabeau Courdurier win round five in Val di Fassa
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Updated 25/06/2023 at 23:00 GMT+1
In temperatures pushing 30 degrees celsius in the Italian Dolomites, it was New Zealand's Matt Walker (Pivot Factory Racing) and France's Isabeau Courdurier (Lapierre Zipp Collective) who won the respective men's and women's UCI MTB Enduro races on round 5 in Val di Fassa Trentino. Alex Rudeau and Richie Rude made up the men's podium, while it was an all-French women's top three.
Isabeau Courdurier (Lapierre Zipp Collective)
Image credit: TNT Sports
In round five of the UCI MTB Enduro World Cup in Val di Fassa, it was Matt Walker (Pivot Factory Racing) and Isabeau Courdurier (Lapierre Zipp Collective) who emerged victorious.
In sweltering conditions in the Italian Dolomites, it was a sapping test of the riders' endurance and skill on a tricky parcours.
In the men's race, it was a first-ever win for New Zealander Walker at this level, after a near-miss last season with a top-three finish.
The Kiwi made off with the two final stages of the day's racing to seal his triumph, finishing ahead of Alex Rudeau (Commencal Enduro Project) and Richie Rude (Yeti/Fox Factory Race Team).
Rude, however, retains the overall lead as the riders move into Enduro round six, which - after a break - will resume in France’s Loudenvielle Peyragudes on September 1.
On the women's side, Courdurier was dominant from the off, taking the first stage and then a further two more during the day.
She managed to keep her advantage all the way through, albeit after being pushed hard by compatriot Morgane Charre (Pivot Factory Racing).
Melanie Pugin (WeRide Fulgur Factory Team) came third to seal an all-French podium.
It was Courdurier's fourth win in Val Di Fassa, continuing her fine record at the Italian venue.
The UCI MTB World Cup returns next week also in Trentino at Val di Sole, with downhill and cross-country the disciplines on the menu.
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Stream the 2023 UCI MTB World Cup live on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.com
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