Whistler enduro rider Jesse Melamed came away with his second career Enduro World Series (EWS) win in Zermatt, Switzerland on Sunday.
The first EWS contest in the new pandemic world was further challenged by rainy, sloppy conditions, which limited the race to just two stages. Melamed opened up a hearty 10-second gap after the first stanza before hanging on by 4.64 seconds over defending champion Martin Maes of Belgium. France’s Theo Galy placed third.
“Insane! Didn't expect to be on the top step but super grateful for the team giving me everything I needed to be there. Happy to make it count and come out on top despite [Richie Rude] and [Sam Hill] not being here...and there only being 2 stages,” Melamed posted to Instagram after the race.
Other locals included Squamish’s Rhys Verner in 22nd, and Whistler’s Carter Krasny in 60th. On the women’s side, France’s Isabeau Coudurier topped countrywoman Morgane Charre and Great Britain’s Ella Conolly, while Squamish’s Miranda Miller took 10th. Andreane Lanthier Nadeau crashed in practice earlier in the week and opted to sit out the race.
Riders will get a bit of a break before resuming the season at Pietra Ligure, Italy on Sept. 20, starting a mad dash to the season’s end that includes racing four of the following five weekends.
