The 2026 UCI Enduro World Cup season finally kicked off on Saturday in officially kicked off Loudenvielle, France. It\u2019s a different year this year; Canadian Enduro legend Jesse Melamed was not on the start list. And honestly, that\u2019s a bit of a bummer.<\/p>\n
But the first round provided exactly what Loudenvielle is known for providing; rough, steep terrain, high speed stages and dust absolutely everywhere. Loudenvielle has hosted the Enduro World Series since back in 2021. This year the riders spent the day trying to conquer nearly 50 kilometres of racing spread across the region.<\/p>\n
French riders battle for the men\u2019s win<\/p>\n
The elite men\u2019s field saw a tight battle between a couple of French riders. But it was Alex Rideau who eventually beat Rapha\u00ebl Giambi by just seven-tenths of a second after a full day of racing.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt feels so good,\u201d Rudeau said afterward. \u201cIt has been since 2022 that I haven\u2019t won here. I wanted it. I\u2019m really happy about this one. It\u2019s a good start to the season and good points for the overall.\u201d<\/p>\n
When defending overall champion S\u0142awomir \u0141ukasik went off course in the first stage, it looked like it was anyone\u2019s race.Giambi took an early lead on Stage 1.<\/p>\n
Australian rider Ryan Gilchrist was in 11th place at one point, but managed to race his way back to the thirdspor on the podium.<\/p>\n
Canadians Leif Rodgers managed to crack the top ten with a ninth place finish. And Evan Wall ended up in 14th place.<\/p>\n
Canadians show depth in elite women<\/p>\n
The Canadian women also managed to put together a good day in Loudenvielle. Current world champion Elly Hoskin finished eighth overall in the elite women\u2019s race while Geza Rodgers rolled into ninth.<\/p>\n
The privateer Ella Conolly looked strong on Stage 1 and carried that success all day long. Last season she won three rounds of the tour and she\u2019s looking good this year as well. She eventually finished more than five seconds ahead of M\u00e9lanie Pugin from France. Raphaela Richter from Germany finished out the podium.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt went really well,\u201d Conolly said. \u201cI\u2019ve had a bit of a rough lead-up to this race, so it wasn\u2019t expected but I was always going to come and give it everything that I had.\u201d<\/p>\n
Keely Bathurst lands on the podium<\/p>\n