UCI Mountain Bike Enduro World Cup 2023: Wins for Isabeau Courdurier and Luke Meier-Smith in Tasmania

ByEurosport

Updated 10/05/2023 at 09:15 GMT

Isabeau Courdurier (Lapierre Zipp Collective) and Luke Meier-Smith (Giant Factory Off-Road Team) have kicked off the inaugural UCI Mountain Bike Enduro World Cup with wins in the women's and men's events, respectively. The first race of the season was held in Maydena in the Australian state of Tasmania as the enthralling event got going in earnest.

Isabeau Courdurier (Lapierre Zipp Collective) made a winning start at the inaugural UCI Mountain Bike Enduro World Cup with victory in Maydena.

The French star navigated the tough six-stage race in the season-opening race in Tasmania, finishing ahead of compatriot Morgane Charre (Pivot Factory Racing).

Two-time world champion Courdurier threw down the gauntlet with a win on the opening stage but saw reigning UCI Downhill World Champion Valentina Holl take the next two.

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However, a crash would derail Holl and it was Charre who would push Courdurier hardest, but she ultimately fell short despite winning the final stage.

Ella Conolly (Cannondale Enduro Team) was third.

In the men’s race, Luke Meier-Smith (Giant Factory Off-Road Team) took the victory ahead of Daniel Booker (Nukeproof SRAM Factory Racing).

It was Booker who started brightest taking the first stage, however Meier-Smith took control of the race with three stage wins.

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Connor Fearon (Forbidden Synthesis) made it an all-Australian podium after taking third place.

A difficult day for Jesse Melamed (Canyon CLLCTV Factory Team) saw the reigning champion finish a lowly 19th.

Highlights: Courdurier beats Charre at UCI Mountain Bike Enduro World Cup

The U21 women’s category saw Canada’s Emmy Lan (Forbidden Synthesis Team) leapfrog Erice Van Leuven (Commencal Les Orres) on the final stage for the win, while the U21 men’s race was won by Sasha Kim.

The UCI Mountain Bike Enduro World Cup will remain in Tasmania for round two, taking place on the weekend of March 31 to April 1.

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UCI World Cup cross-country Olympic, cross-country short track and downhill events from the UCI Mountain Bike World Series will be available live and on-demand on discovery+, GCN+ and the Eurosport App.

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