Sam Hill wins second straight EWS crown
After a strong, controlled year of Enduro World Series racing, Sam Hill (Nukeproof/Mavic) has claimed his second EWS crown with a measured ride at the final round in Italy.
Hill's race was conservative but pacy, with GT's Martin Maes still in mathematical reach - if the Belgian won, Sam only needed to finish 47th or higher.
As it turned out, Maes' race was over by stage two after crashing and injuring his hand (below), and Hill cruised to ninth overall and his second title.
Yeti rider Richie Rude completed a back-to-back return to form, clean-sweeping the round to win his second race on the trot.
Hill, who had travelled to Europe with his family for the final rounds, shared the spotlight with son Bam.
Frenchwoman Cecile Ravanel underlined her complete domination of the 2018 season, scoring a clean sweep of victories for the year.
The EWS returns to the southern hemisphere for a doulbe header in 2019, with Crankworx New Zealand on 23-24 March and Derby, Tasmania a week later (30-31 March).
